A Lifestyle Change Brings Stylish Décor To Monroe

By Kaaren Valenta

When Donna Owen’s employer moved from Norwalk to Atlanta, it provided the impetus she needed to leave the corporate world and open her own business.

“I was commuting several hours a day,” she said. “I wanted a little more balance in my life, a better lifestyle. The corporate world is really no place for women once they’ve had children.”

So she combined her experience in product management and decorating in a shop, Melange Maison, LLC, that opened last December at 415 Main Street (Route 25) in Monroe.

Melange Maison offers an eclectic blend of old and new –– refurbished antiques, quality linens, vintage accessories, and naturalized accents in a style that is predominately country French. “Melange Maison translates as mixed home and reflects what we offer here,” Ms Owen said. “I don’t like it when everything in a home looks new and contrived. It should look like you put it together over time and everything has meaning.”

Many of the furniture pieces in the shop come from estate sales and are then painted or refurbished by local craftsmen.

“I handpick from estate sales and only take the highest quality pieces that others may overlook because the finishes need work,” Ms Owen said. “There are so many great pieces of furniture that are tossed aside because the finish isn’t good.”

One set, a table and chairs, had the advantage that all pieces folded for storage. Ms Owen had a local artist paint a design of a basket of flowers on the table top.

“The folding table can go on the wall as a piece of art,” she explained. “It also opens to seat six people. It would be great on a porch or as an extra table for when you need it.”

Nearby, an enamel-top table, completely restored, with an extension and four chairs, was on sale for $850.

“These pieces are special, unique,” she said. “They are not [priced at] any more than you would pay for new pieces that are made to look old.”

Besides furniture, Melange Maison is filled with one-of-a-kind decorative pieces, table-top accessories, linens, and custom window treatments and upholstery.

 “I have a designer in New York who appliqués French lace onto bed linens,” Ms Owen said. “I have a lot of resources for people to order.

“We have decorators who will go out and pull it all together for a customer at no more cost than if they bought the items here,” she said. “Someone can come in and help themselves, or we can help them, whichever they prefer.”

Melange Maison even carries a line of dog beds custom-covered in fabrics to match the décor in the customer’s home. The Decorator Pooch Pads are $100–$200 and are all zippered so that the cover can be taken off and washed or dry-cleaned.

Melange Maison is located in a shopping plaza with Taylor Paint & Decorating, behind Barbara Lee’s Boutique, in the Stepney section of Monroe. The store is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Tuesday and Sunday during July and August. For more information call 459-9756.