A little piece of the American Southwest has come to Greenport Village. More specifically, to The Weathered Barn on Front Street.
While two years ago the store was called The “White” Weathered Barn and carried items that could be considered farmhouse chic, owner Rena Wilhelm has taken the store in a different direction.
A pair of trips to New Mexico and other southwestern states have influenced Wilhelm’s tastes as well as the jewelry that she makes and sells in her lifestyle boutique.
“We were moved by that kind of scenery out there,” she told us. “There are enough people here doing farmhouse décor and we need to grow artistically.”
Looking to channel inspiration from New Mexico, you’ll now see earthier tones, tribal-inspired jewelry and animal-patterned clutches among the displays.
“I was excited to see a landscape completely different than the New England I grew up with,” Wilhelm said. “The Southwest presents nature in an entirely different way.”
If you don’t know what a lifestyle store is, first, an explainer. A lifestyle store is one where the products reflect a particular brand, way of life or lifestyle. The merchandise might include housewares, accessories, books, clothing and more.
Anther way to describe them are stores that sell items to add flare to your life. Think Urban Outfitters or Pottery Barn.
While driftwood and seashells might have dominated the merchandise at The Weathered Barn at one point, Wilhelm notes the store’s new direction reflects her own personal growth as an artist.
What remains the same is that everything is handmade by someone Wilhelm and her husband Jason have a personal relationship with.
“We have found more and more that people want a connection to what they are buying,” Wilhelm said. “If there is a story behind it, or they know the person who made it, they find their purchase more special.”
The Weathered Barn is one of our FAVORITE North Fork lifestyle stores and we definitely recommend a stop in if you haven’t been in a while. A perennial favorite are their hanging terrariums, which we featured as a holiday gift pick in 2015 (editor’s note: I also have one hanging in my living room!)
Be sure to also peruse the jewelry from Common Ground Adornments and Wai Jewelry (and check out our videos on the artisans behind those brands, Alexa Suess and Carolyn Wells.)
Shopping there is almost like browsing an art gallery, but one where everything is for sale and can make your home or personal style that much cooler.
Find them at 41 Front Street, Greenport. (631) 477-6811.
