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Direct Importer
of French Antiques
Furniture and Accessories |
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525 West Short
Street
at Greentree Close
Lexington, Kentucky 40507
859· 252· 9030 |
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This modest storefront has allowed Chamblin's
passion for antiques to flourish into a successful business. The
origins of Belle Maison began with a 1988 visit to France.
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"Sometimes you just
feel an affinity for a place, and I fell in love with the people and
the culture and the way of life," said Chamblin,
who accompanied her husband on a business trip to Paris while he was
president of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.
"I knew I wanted to return." Chamblin had studied English and
American antiques since her early 20s, but after the life-changing
voyage she set her sights on learning all she could about French
pieces. She began traveling to France and buying containers full of
armoires, farm tables, garden urns and unique small pieces like wine
bottles and glazed pots.
According to Chamblin, most American dealers who sell French
inventory merely travel to a warehouse in the States and choose from
items brought over by a wholesaler. Belle Maison's inventory is
handpicked and the prices negotiated by Chamblin in France, which
allows better deals for her customers and a unique offering of
formal and country, quirky and classic. |
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The family-run enterprise - husband Tony handles accounting and
marketing and daughter Kaitlin helps manage the store - has garnered
a national following and what's evolved from her quarterly buying
trips is a request card service.
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Clients interested in say, a
marble-top table, can give specifications like price range and
dimensions and she'll scout for the item overseas. Her finds
are listed on her web site,
www.bellemaisonantiques.com, and if a
client passes on an item she just adds it to her shop inventory.
Prices range from $10 for a blue and red child's jump rope to $9,000
for a four-door 19th-century buffet.
Chamblin initially rented spaces on Ashland Avenue where she would
show her wares for a few days until everything was sold. The
business
model called for keeping overhead low, so after her September 2001offerings sold, she was a bit hesitant when the Greentree folks
approached her. Chamblin held the next viewing in the former
Unfinished Universe building, just a few steps away from the Tea
Room
and L.V. Harkness, and then decided to stay full-time. |
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Pick up your copy of
 today
or log on to http://www.keenelandmagazine.com |
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