The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Marla and Kent Stevens opened Painted Lady Antiques this summer with a firm goal: to be an uncluttered, reasonably priced shop that people want to return to again and again.

“We didn’t want to be another high-end store,” said Marla. “We love return customers and we cater to the whole family.”

Furniture and accent pieces, pocket knives, bits and pieces, and toys ensure every customer has a fun browsing experience. And the store isn’t filled with all old stuff either. The Stevens’ have art, quilts and new-from-old repurposed pieces. Kent is skilled at making tables, entryway benches and hall tables, and Marla is a whiz at refinishing pieces that come in looking a bit worse for wear or are dated.

Kent scored a load of old barnwood that he fashions into the tables and benches, often using legs from other furniture that Marla finds in her forays into estate sales. She also finds treasures at the Sisters Habitat for Humanity Restore where she is an active volunteer. Sometimes people bring her pieces for consideration, either to sell on consignment or for the Stevens’ to purchase outright and resell.

Marla encourages customers contemplating purchase of a piece to enquire about its history. There are some interesting stories that go with furniture that’s been present as life unfolds.

The Stevens’ moved to Sisters 18 months ago after retiring from careers in Ventura, California.

Kent is a veteran, a former Army Ranger who served in Desert Storm.

They moved north and decided a small business dealing with things they love—old and repurposed furniture—would be an interesting retirement gig.

They live in Sisters, and for the first year had a booth in one of the antique malls in Redmond.

They used that experience to gauge the Central Oregon market, but discovered after moving the business to Sisters that their summer customer base is largely tourist-based.

They have scored several repeat customers however, and Marla is delighted when she receives a photo of a piece of her refurbished furniture in its new home.

They are looking forward to locals season, as summer traffic winds down.

The store presents an ever- changing array of displays as inventory comes and goes.

“We are constantly updating,” said Marla.

They are open during the 4th Friday Art Strolls, and Kent and Marla truly enjoy building relationships with their customers.

Painted Lady Antiques is located in Barclay Square, next door to Sundance Shoes.