If you drive down Andover’s main drag, you’re likely to spot a congregation of shoppers at 125 Main Street, scouting for unusual lighting and home décor at Made In The Shade.
Owner Sheri Arnold grew up in the lighting business, learning the tricks of the trade (a shiny new finial or a different harp can transform any table lamp!) from her parents and grandparents. “I grew up in Queens, spending a lot of time at flea markets because my dad made lamps and my mom made lampshades,” she says.
So, after college, starting her own lighting business was an easy decision. Arnold purchased her two-story downtown Andover building in 2000. “I quickly realized that I needed to buy some furniture to display all of my lamps, so that’s how I first got into the furniture business,” she says. Today, a big part of Made In The Shade’s inventory is hand-painted vintage and antique furniture. “When my team isn’t busy helping customers, I train them to chalk-paint old dressers and armoires. We’re happy to give old furniture new life and keep it out of landfills,” she says.
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The Sussex County shop still specializes in old and new chandeliers and table lamps that Arnold finds at house sales, auctions and manufacturer buy-outs. The store also offers rewiring services to home décor enthusiasts and interior designers who bring in their own lighting.
Customers don’t mind making the trip from far and wide because Arnold has a knack for spotting interior design trends and finding unique pieces that sell for affordable prices. “Our customers especially like rustic and farmhouse looks, so I’m always in my big van scouring the tri-state area for mid-century and antique chairs, dressers, tables, artwork, mirrors, garden accessories and more.”
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of Made In The Shade, and Arnold is celebrating with a recent expansion of her second floor. “Now we have 3,000 square feet to display all the things my team and I find when we’re scouting,” she says. “I don’t mind getting up at 5 am to find that perfect score when I know my customers will love what they find here.”
The store is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm (973-786-7501). Follow along on Instagram (@MadeInTheShadeNJ).