Sisters Maggie Kidd and Annie Genovese, with artist and co-founder John O’Hara, have been reimagining vintage furniture since launching Forsyth ten years ago from an unassuming warehouse building in Creve Coeur. Their creative interpretations–think an Eero Saarinen Womb Chair upholstered in Texas Sheepskin and a Biedermeier walnut sofa dressed in Beata Heuman’s “Florentine Flowers,” among many others, have garnered them a devoted, national following.
“It’s a great thing to have that one-of-a-kind piece,” says O’Hara, “but I’ve always thought, When you have one-of-a-kind pieces that draw you into Forsyth, sell them outdoor, lighting, everything. If we have the customers coming to see us for those pieces, now offer them something that they can fill the house.”
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For the past year, that idea has been percolating within the tight-knit team. Thinking beyond vintage one-offs, they’ve been quietly reaching out to some of their favorite furniture brands to add to their inventory of splashy home décor and accessories. The combination of old and new, say the sisters, reflects the spirit of today’s interiors.
“We’re all about the mix,” says Genovese. “That’s why we wanted to get into ‘new’ furniture. You live with both vintage and new.”
Last month, the first shipping container arrived from France, and among the 40 new items was the low-slung “Togo” sofa by Ligne Roset. Customizable in hundreds of colors and fabrics, it’s shown in moutarde and available for a sit test in the showroom. Across from the “Togo” is “The Spanish Chair,” made of natural leather and soaped oak, from Danish brand Fredericia, a company known for reissuing iconic designs from the 50s and 60s and also new to St. Louis. The showroom, recently finished in gleaming, white epoxy floors, holds several pieces from the collection of Florence-based Michele Bönan Interiors, including the pickled oak “Firenze” desk and the Saint Tropez chest of drawers with a natural rope base and handles. O’Hara discovered the brand while staying at the J.K. Place Capri, which is designed by the Italian architect and interior designer. “Very Ralph Lauren but better,” says O’Hara. “We reached out to them and they’re like, ‘Absolutely.’”
Genovese describes the overall effect of contacting furniture designers and getting a “yes” as akin to a waterfall. “They loved our website and St. Louis doesn’t have representation of any of these brands,” she says.
Some of the brands aren’t all new to the showroom. Over the years, Kidd and Genovese have reupholstered quite a few pieces from some of the manufacturers that they now carry, creating an interesting mashup of the two distinct areas of their company. “We’ve been in the interiors business for so long, we’re familiar with the “Togo” sofa,” says Genovese. “The Fredericia brand, we’ve collected and reupholstered quite a few Børge Mogensen pieces, so we’re familiar with his designs, too. That’s why it’s so exciting.”
In addition to the aforementioned brands, Forsyth will now sell Gärsnäs, Benchmark, Otzi Design Studio, and Old Hickory. Some of them offer an opportunity to expand further into other categories, such as lighting and outdoor living. Even fashion accessories are being worked into the collection. English brand Métier, whose leather purses and totes were introduced to the showroom in late 2023, have been selling briskly since then. “You can’t get it anywhere in St. Louis,” says Genovese.
Will customers who come to Forsyth for vintage also go to them for new furniture? “It’s going to be fascinating to watch,” says O’Hara.
What won’t change is their dedication to quality. “Our designers around the country and the world trust that if we represent a brand, it’s going to be Forsyth quality,” continues O’Hara. “I think that’s our niche: People trust us. You have to keep that trust and not allow anything in here that’s not up to speed.”
In the meantime, the heart of Forsyth–vintage furniture redone with flair and style–remains steadfast. “We love doing that. We won’t stop,” says Genovese. “Those one-offs, you won’t fill a whole house–those are the special pieces. You fill the rest with the new.”
Local shoppers can call or email to make an appointment to visit the showroom.
