Later this month, a pop-up shop called The Swanky Abode will open its doors at the Indiana Design Center. As a pop-up, the 2,000 square-foot location will be open to the public but only for a limited time.
The Swanky Abode is the store for stylish living. It is an urban home furnishings boutique that believes homes should be comfortable and joyful environments meant for real living. The Jones family scours the country seeking unique pieces to liven the home and the heart, creating spaces for all tastes devoted to form and function.
The Swanky Abode’s distinctive blend of vintage and new creates symmetry between the past and a contemporary future. By reclaiming treasured relics and exploring new designs, The Swanky Abode can help you make your home, your refuge.
Read the bios below to learn more about the personalities behind The Swanky Abode.
Jerrod Jones
Jerrod Jones
The head honcho. As the most organized member of the team, Jerrod is responsible for much of the accounting, ordering and vital structuring of the business. He is driven but modest, ensuring both daily and long term tasks at the stores reach completion, and that everyone’s having a good time doing it.
Q&A with Jerrod:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Humorous. Joyful. Happy.
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
Caldrea products, the Wild Bar of Soap line and Italian pottery, preferably the blue kind.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
A vintage owl.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
A hamburger from Lee Harvey’s (a restaurant in Dallas, Texas)
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Playing corn hole against Israel.
George Trenchard and Laura Jones
George Trenchard
The wise man. George is our rock. He’s Laura’s true love, a boat captain, expert salsa maker and proud owner of a marina we call home in the summer months. With George comes a big, brown lab named Boom whom we adore, yet constantly bathe and throw big sticks for.
Q&A with George:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Vintage. Unique. Cool.
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
The furniture gallery, the aroma of Wild Bar of Soap, Safari Chic stuff.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
One of the funny books.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
Ice Cream.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Cook.
Israel Jones
Israel Jones
The risk taker. Israel loves furniture more than you. But that’s a good thing, because he’s in charge of researching and buying our collections of furniture from all over the country, particularly mid century modern styles, which he is passionate for and knowledgeable about.
Q&A with Israel:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Bright. Happy. Sophisticated.
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
Wild Bar of Soap products, Paul McCobb furniture and my baby, the tufted teal couch.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
I would give my one and only a vintage apron.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
George’s flank steak, Mom’s au gratin potatoes, Claire’s buckeye cake balls.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Study mid century furniture. A lot.
Addison Jones
Addison Jones
The creative. Addison is working toward her art degree while dreaming up and putting together our displays, bringing color to the store, and ensuring we’ve always got funny products on hand. She is light hearted and caring – great at creating art and bringing funky flair to The Swanky Abode.
Q&A with Addison:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Forced family fun!
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
The Montana spray paint from Spain (I still lust after it) and Belle Street jewelry, made by a Columbus local.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
Our Ninja Bread men. (Cookie cutters shaped like ninjas)
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
Siam Curry Chicken from House of Hunan in Media, Ohio.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
I have a life outside the store?… I love photography and drawing.
George Trenchard and Laura Jones
Laura Jones
The overseer. Laura’s got years of merchandizing experience under her belt, and can whip a 7,000 square foot space into a navigable, wonderland of product in just a few days flat. She’s owned a restaurant, started her own graphic design firm and designed for major corporations like Victoria’s Secret, Fitch and Root.
Q&A with Laura:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Never ending path.
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
Franco Albini wicker ottomans.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
I would give a tea light log to use with our new candle line, Shine.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
My favorite meal, the cherry tomato pizza I ate in Italy years ago.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Gardening with George.
Nick Harris
Nick Harris
The salesman. Nick will put a smile on your face at any time of day. And then he’ll sell you a couch. Because Nick is our tried and true salesman, keeping energy and transactions at an all time high when he’s in the store.
Q&A with Nick:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Authentic. Inspiring. Welcoming
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
Spray Paint. Letters. Air Plants
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
If she appreciates jewelry, then it would be a silver letter By Boe corresponding to her first name.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
BBQ And Hot Wings. Don’t forget the Ranch and Celery.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Design. Kickin it’ w/ the homies. Competitive gaming
Jamie Napier
Jamie Napier
The work horse. Once Jamie came aboard the business, everyone took a big sigh of relief. As our inventory manager, he works tirelessly to check and coordinate orders, and to ensure all product is where it should be.
Q&A with Jamie:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Unorthodox. Refreshing. Cool.
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
The air plants, definitely. The Knock Knock items and the floating candles in the large glass bowl.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
The magnetic calendar.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
My grandma’s plum sauce chicken wings.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Play basketball.
Claire Hoppens
Claire Hoppens
The wordsmith. If it involves words and the stores, Claire probably had a hand in it. She just graduated with a journalism degree and is already putting it to good use, completing marketing tasks and overseeing social media for the The Swanky Abode.
Q&A with Claire:
1. What are three words you’d use to describe the environment in The Swanky Abode? (Besides the obvious – splendiferamazingous)
Colorful. Energetic. Home.
2. What are some of your favorite items in the store?
The shaggy looking guy behind the counter, the bohemian beaded jewelry and the retro kitchen gear.
3. You’re trying to woo someone, you fox. What item do you give them from the store?
Chill out, I’m taken. But if I wasn’t, I’d give them some of our funny products, like the “Things You Must Do to Make Me Happy” list or the sock monkey wine cover.
4. It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?
Carbfest 2011: Pancakes. Southern biscuits with apple butter. Cake. Spaghetti and Meatballs. Oreo milkshake.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the store?
Cook, write and explore.
Visit www.theswankyabode.wordpress.com for more information.
