Dan's Papers - June 20, 2008 - The Beauty of the Black Swan (Antiques, that is)

As summer arrives on the East End, our thoughts naturally turn to the outdoors. In the world of home fashions, this means patio and deck furniture. Black Swan Antiques in Southampton is right on track with their new line of outdoor teak furniture and an expansion of the hugely popular Seaside Casual line of maintenance-free outdoor furniture with a 20-year warrantee.

After a successful inaugural 2006 season, Black Swan Antiques of Southampton expanded their unique collection of home and garden furnishings by adding 1,500 square feet to their showroom, not to mention one-of-a-kind antiques, which has bumped the total showroom space to over 3,400 square feet - one of the largest antique stores in Southampton Village.

The showroom looks better than ever, brimming with unique and stunning furniture. "Business has been incredible so far this year! It's been a challenge gathering great antiques and getting the outdoor furniture ready in time for spring, but we made it and we are ready for 2008," says Randy Kolhoff, buyer for Black Swan. Offering unique services like personal shopping, custom refinishing, and even furniture design and building, it has the ability to get what you are looking for when you can't find it anywhere else. Kolhoff assures, "Shop around and then stop in and see for yourself, you will not be disappointed."

Named "Best of the Best Antique Store," by the readers of Dan's Papers in 2007, they have something for everyone with an appreciation of unique style and quality in their home and patio furnishings.

Black Swan can be considered an alternative to the traditional furniture store. Set back on Hampton Road, extraordinary pieces of antique furniture along with colorful outdoor Adirondack chairs and accessories are visible on the grounds. It's a great find for those individuals that seek character in the objects that share their living space. With diverse furniture spanning the spectrum of traditional styles, Black Swan takes a high quality, high fashion approach to home furniture. Unique objects reflect the diverse individuality of their clientele who happen to be some of the most original and influential people in the world. This is a business that focuses on style, value, and excellent service.

When you enter the main showroom, the first thing you notice is the extraordinary size and scale of some of the library furniture that outlines the space. Yes, that is a giant Moose mounted above the fireplace looking down on a 72-inch marble table, inlaid with flowers of various semi precious stones. Each showroom is filled with interesting styles ranging from Primitive, Colonial, and Classical French to Victorian, Mission, and Dutch Modern. In addition, Black Swan has also added two new outdoor furniture lines this year. There's a full line of teak as well as high quality cast aluminum. Both are offered for sale alongside Seaside Casual Furniture manufactured in Newport, Rhode Island.

Kolhoff and his wife Diana opened Black Swan Antiques in March of 2006. Kolhoff has been in the home décor business working for a successful furniture importing company and has designed and overseen the manufacturing of full lines of home furnishings. "I studied antiques while designing furniture," Kolhoff explains. "I developed a passion for antique furniture as well as all things old. I enjoy the hunt, finding that unusual piece that has character." Diana, a former math teacher at the Ross School in East Hampton, handles the bookkeeping, scheduling, and takes care of their daughters, Helena and Alaia.

Their success can be contributed to the fact they offer such an unusual mix of antique styles. "Our niche is being different, " adds Kolhoff. "I love the reaction we get from new clients walking into the showroom for the first time. We have been grateful that our customers enjoy sharing us with their friends and neighbors. That's really helped us make our first season a success."

A Hampton original, a true Ma n' Pa shop with a whole lot of local character. Conveniently located at 515 Hampton Road in Southampton, 631-259-2364. Log onto their website at www.blackswansouthampton.com for more information.