Member Profile : Archive

July 23, 2021 Finally Home

Archive is a vintage Instashop based in the historic downtown neighborhood of Jersey City sharing an evolving collection of eclectic, global, preloved home & art for local purchase.

Home is a way of organizing space; it's where we wake and set the tone for our day; we decompress and restore.

With a societal movement towards preservation, restoration, and appreciation of our past, bringing historical pieces from the community around us has become more and more important in the decor of our homes. It takes a unique set of skills to master the art of antiquing. Get to know, Archive and their offering of incredible, rare-find, one of a kind pieces. The collection is a reflection of their great eye and the gorgeous aesthetic of their pieces. It’s no wonder why so many look to them for their home decor and antiquing needs.

The Inspiration Behind Archive - A Jersey City Small Business

"When I moved into my first place, I had such a limited budget and never really felt connected to mass-produced decor and furniture. I was drawn to older pieces that had a bit of a story-- yet it took a lot of time and energy to slowly build that collection--what we're trying to do is make that pursuit a little easier for locals here in Jersey City and beyond.

Living in various Hudson County apartments over the years, I learned not to be so literal when furnishing a home. I believe people think, "I'd like a bar cart"-- then head over to Google, type in "Bart cart," and voila, the internet makes up our minds for us. I like to re-imagine pieces. An antique sideboard, or cabinet say-- could make for a unique adaptation that meets the same purpose. Right now, we have two antique late 19th century Globe Wernicke Filing Cabinets we're using as a dresser/ clothes storage. It excites me to reinvent in that way.

Travel has always been a huge source of inspiration for Archive; I loved discovering one-of-a-kind items from the various places I visited. Flea markets/ second-hand shopping in Europe has always excited me; I've picked up some incredible pieces in London's Islington, Lisbon, Rome, and Copenhagen.

I find such fun in the hunt. Vintage and antiques don't need to be expensive. With a bit of vision, creativity, and patience, you can find what you're looking for. I'm all about the gut reaction. If I see something and it pings me or pulls at some spiritual nostalgia, I will want to buy it.”

I Love Living in Jersey City

“Jersey City has always really spoken to my personality. I adore NYC and have since I was a kid. My dad is from Queens and made it a point to bring my brother and me into the city frequently throughout our childhood. I always strived to be there-- and ended up going to Pace University for my undergrad before I landed internships in the field of travel. That buzz, creativity, and drive fed me-- and still provides me the most incredible inspiration, but at the end of the work/ school day, I always yearned to be somewhere where I felt a strong sense of community. Jersey City offered that for me.

Jersey City’s history permeates the streets and corners of the city. I'm currently living in a historic home originally built in 1852. Sitting on my couch and looking out over the row houses and brownstones, I love daydreaming about who has lived here over the years. The view of Jersey City from our living room is about the same as it was in the late 19th century. There's something so special about that. Something else that I find super cool about this house: it boasts an original victorian hall mirror (utilized for women to adjust their dresses and hats as they left home).

And the community here-- which I've always been drawn to, is another reason I love Jersey city. Our clients are fantastic. They are curious and kind and so appreciative to have found a new piece for their home. I love that, and it drives my wanting to expand the collection.

Diverse Creative Community--The excitement and idea of being a part of Jersey City’s Diverse Creative community has been amplified this past year. The local community that came together to support Jersey City creatives, shop owners, and small businesses has been pretty incredible. And those that have more prominent voices have championed the newbies. That's something this city should be proud of-- there's real excitement in terms of what's happening in Jersey City at the moment-- and I love being a tiny part of that.”

Entertaining at Home in Jersy City

”I love to cook and host. It's not a tip but a functional hack that has worked well for us at home; we have an old vintage burlwood, drop-leaf dining table, which I typically use as a desk. When we host friends for dinner, we slide the table out to our living room, flip it up, and seat six people. It's an adaptive dining table. When I'm styling home for entertaining, you'll find ample vintage linens, stoneware, and vintage glassware. A 1950s aluminum shaker always makes an appearance, too-- my partner makes a mean martini.”

Advice on Local Antique Shopping

Try not to psych yourself out. Given my experience in PR-- I am so used to celebrating and elevating the voices of my clients (being "the one behind the one" if you will). So it felt strange and scary for me to start something that felt very personal. If a hobby/ passion truly makes you happy and you experience joy from it, chances are that positivity will draw like-minded others. It took me a little while to work through that.

Know that like anything, it's a process-- be open to learning along the way and trialing different approaches. If you're interested in doing something aesthetically minded, trust your vision and eye. Authenticity > trends all day.
For me, a passion project should be creatively stimulating and fun. Find what those mean to you and work backwards.