By SUE QUIGLEY
HERNANDO SUN
Nestled under a huge oak tree sits the cute cottage shop “41 & Bird” owned by Staci Lewis-White.
Already a successful business woman with her “The Wired Bird” store in downtown Brooksville, Staci Lewis-White said she was delighted to be able to find another venue to display her vintage, home and garden finds.
41 & Bird opened its doors at the beginning of March this year after several weeks of collecting and preparing her collection of furniture and eclectic items for lovers of shabby chic style.
“For me, this is the perfect location being right next door to AKA Salvage and Designs,”she said. “They have a huge inventory of vinyl music, militaria, gas and oil equipment, neon and vintage everything so we complement each other.”
Helping Lewis-White in the shop is Ruthie Black.
“Ruthie is my little treasure,”she said. “She rocks the store and my customers love her.”
Lewis-White has always enjoyed coming up with creative ideas and hand-crafting unique pieces that she also sells at crafts shows throughout Florida.
“I enjoy looking for those “special” pieces of furniture to upcycle, paint and transform,” she said.”I find my treasures in all sorts of places.”
Lewis-White says upcycling is the art of finding unwanted items and then turning them into something better and more beautiful.
“It’s kinder to the environment and my imagination can go wild,”she laughed.
Pieces currently on offer include a solid-wood, ornate mantelpiece, an antique metal garden chaise, mirrors, hand-crafted tables and chairs, a host of chinoiserie and original wall art. There’s also vintage buttons, hand-painted wooden signs, all manner of nature inspired pieces, along with rustic and shabby chic decor. 41 & Bird offers that blend of eclectic pieces to satisfy anyone’s needs for a truly unique decor.
“My mom is English and that’s where I think I get my penchant for saving dilapidated antiques from thrift markets to restore,”she said. “I’ve also found lovely pieces in scrap yards or just lying by the roadside,”she said.
Lewis-White is one talented lady and also makes handmade jewellery which she fondly calls “My Lovelies.”
“I’ve devoted a corner at 41 & Bird to show off my eclectic handmade jewellery as well as my vintage button bracelets,” she said.
“While I love creating things and enjoy all aspects of being a shop owner my favorite part is the interaction with people, Lewis-White said. “I cannot tell you how many beautiful friendships I have made over the past few years through the shop.”
Shopping today was Sarah Reyes, a Springstead High School guidance counsellor.
Reyes said she was shopping at 41 and Bird to find the perfect pieces to put in her school office.
“Ït’s important to me to make my office as comfortable and as homely as possible for students,”she said. And I’ve already spotted some items I’m going to purchase.”
“This is what makes the world go around, said Lewis-White. “I like to hear people laughing and enjoying themselves when they look at the items I have in my little shop,” she said. “Each one is very special to me.”
You can find 41 & Bird at:
10443 Broad Street
Brooksville, Florida 34601
https://www.facebook.com/41andBird/
