Creating Living Spaces With Warmth, Character, And Charm

By Kaaren Valenta

Jonathan Mester’s antiques and design business reflects his philosophy: style should be timeless, with a bit of whimsy.

“A house should have warmth, character, charm,” he explains. “One out of every 10 homes has character – beautiful rooms that include a surprise, a touch of whimsy. Probably seven out of 10 have that potential.”

The owner of Jonathan J. Mester Antiques & Interiors on Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook, Mr Mester serves clients throughout Fairfield and Westchester counties. He operated out of his home on Poverty Hollow Road before opening the store on Church Hill Road last February.

An interior designer, Mr Mester merged his trade with his love of antiques to create a shop that provides a wide range of services for clients. The showroom is filled with antiques: bureaus, amoires, desks, tables, dressing tables in classical styles; paintings, mirrors, lighting, books, and accessories in traditional, timeless styles. The rear workroom is lined with books of designer and historic wallpapers, trim, and fabrics.

“I’ve always loved renovations and restorations,” he said. “But I also do a lot of work with clients who live in new homes. Many of these houses have extremely large rooms that can be difficult to decorate. I’m a big fan of using color to give a room warmth and personality. It’s hard for some people to use color, but what a difference it makes! And it is something that is easy to change.”

Similarly, Mr Mester believes that antiques will fit in nearly every setting, even contemporary rooms.

“Natural wood pieces in classical lines will blend with anything,” he said. “If you love a piece, you should buy it.  Even if it doesn’t work in the spot where you originally intended to put it, it isn’t a mistake. It usually will work someplace else. And chances are [if you don’t buy it], you won’t come across it again. ”

An antique also will hold its value, he said.

“A reproduction version of an antique amoire might sell for $8,000 to $10,000, but once it leaves the showroom, it depreciates dramatically in value. An antique will hold its value and become more valuable as less and less become available. I had a $13,000 chest on chest and a $15,000 linen press in the store and both sold immediately. People who know antiques know when they are getting a good deal.”

When he works with homes that are still in the construction stage, Mr Mester will help his clients select the color of flooring, details of molding, placement of recessed lights and other lighting – all the aspects that cost less to change while the house is being built than afterwards.

“We start with determining what the space will be used for,” he said. “That determines the type and placement of lights. And people often are pleasantly surprised to find out that by spending just a little extra, the result can be a lot nicer.”

Mr Mester will use color, fabric, and woods to pull rooms together, to create intimate seating areas in large rooms. “A lot of psychology goes into design,” he said. “It’s important to know what colors and placement of furniture does to people. You have to know what a room is being used for so the design works.”

Visitors to Mr Mester’s shop might be looking for a specific item, or they may want to take advantage of his services, including his design library.

“You don’t have to go to New York to see designer wallpapers and fabrics,” he said. “I have fabric priced from $6 a yard to $600 a yard – the whole gamut. There is something here for everyone.”

Mr Mester tells clients to surround themselves with objects that make them happy.

“The question is, how can you interpret what you like in a timeless fashion that will stay fresh?” he said. “You can tell 1980s design from 70s or 60s design but there are designs that are so classical you can’t tell.

“Antiques work everywhere, even on a_contemporary house. As long as the room is balanced – not just front to back and right to left, but [also] top to bottom – it is beautiful. And, of course, it’s important to throw a surprise in there – a fun and interesting piece that is a touch of whimsy.”

Mr Mester plans to add custom upholstered pieces soon to the items available in his store.  “There are a lot of special and unusual pieces in here, accent pieces and conversation pieces,” he said. “This is an upscale antiques shop, not a consignment or thrift shop, but that’s not to say you can’t find something here under $10.”

Jonathan J. Mester Antiques and Interiors, 115A Church Hill Road, is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturday from 11 to 4:30. For more information call 364-1766.