Raised by parents focused on architectural design, antiques and impeccable organization, Jennifer Steiner learned the value of quality over quantity early in her life.
Jennifer eventually used that inspired and orderly background to become co-founder of Adorn Goods boutique in Centreville, Delaware.
"Adorn Goods matches, and is, small town life, a shopping experience focused on blending the old with the new, antique with contemporary, mixing beauty and community. We're like a modern general store that has a little bit of everything unique," explains Jennifer, who thinks of it as stepping back in time to a simpler Brandywine Valley.
Through a creative mixture of tablewares, gifts, home accessories, gourmet foods, body products, along with featured artists and artisans, Jennifer enables customers to embellish their residences rather than to simply decorate -- all from a tax-free benefit.
"We offer items for homes because they are our places to feel good, where history mixes with the new, where antiques complement the trendy, and where the pantry’s always full. Adorn Goods is what a general store used to be, only better -- staying local and living well," shares Jennifer.
During typical years, Jennifer hosts private events, trunk shows and cooking classes, such as guiding children through making gingerbread people. She also is happy to organize gift registries.
Jennifer's background helped shape her view of what types of items to carry. She studied communication and art history in college, learning to focus on aesthetics. After graduating college, she interned with curatorial staff at Delaware Art Museum.
"A love of all things beautiful" prompted her to open Adorn Goods, to celebrate moments of relaxation and mindfulness.
The store carries interesting product lines, such as Pomelo Casa, which include bright, beautiful pieces to lighten the mood of every kitchen. Each one of the pieces is handmade in Southern Spain by ceramicists who've been making these very designs using the same techniques for five-plus centuries. Their two original colorways are green and blue, and they expanded the collection by adding yellow and coral while keeping with the traditional designs of birds and flowers. Because the ceramics are made and painted by hand, each has a slight variation in its pattern and tells its own charming story.
Jennifer also is proud to carry local, Centreville honey from Dr. Don’s bees. They recently started carrying food items from Ladyfingers Caterers, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, which are grab-and-go meals ready to pop in the oven to prepare. Those items include tempting offerings, such as hot Tuscan dip, tomato and cheddar pie, and cinnamon pecan sweet rolls. Jennifer is very proud to be one of the exclusive providers of melt-in-your-mouth, famous shaved ham rolls via Ladyfingers Caterers (these signature hors d'oeuvres have somewhat of a cult following).
She ensures that garden and canning supplies are ready to go for seasonal needs as well.
One of the woodworking artisans carried at the shop is Crafted by cleon, of Temple, Pennsylvania. He creates handcrafted, ergonomic handles from exotic woods for tools, such as ice cream scoops, pens, magnifying glasses and shoe horns. Another woodworker, Jim Buckley from Montchanin, Delaware, makes cheese and cutting boards to sell at the shop.
Pieces of Sydney Evan Jewelry, the highly acclaimed fine jewelry collection founded by Rosanne Karmes in Los Angeles in 2001, can be found at the shop.
Adorn Goods also carries chocolate pretzels made by two local women.
And, the shop's year-round offering of Woodside Farm Creamery's ice cream from Jersey cows in Hockessin, Delaware, makes a lot of people happy.
Normally, at this time of year, Jennifer would be offering interesting items picked up from a variety of New York home goods shows, however, those type of events were canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, she's been connecting through word-of-mouth and searching online for one-of-a-kind items to gear up for the upcoming holiday season. She and her team also have been working on revamping the shop's website, making it easier for customers to find and order items online.
Adorn Goods is also on the American Express map, meaning when customers spend $10 with the shop using their eligible AmexAE Card, they can get $5 back, up to 10 times. Visit ShopSmall.com to learn more about those options.
Recently, Jennifer added some new items, such as customized screen doors. She's also exploring the addition of custom-made flower boxes and lamp posts. "Curb appeal makes a big difference to many people, and makes homes immediately inviting," she reminds.
Each visit to Adorn Goods can feel like a new one, due to the variety of distinctive home goodies they offer.
5712 Kennett Pike, Wilmington (Located in historic Centreville)
302.575.9657
info@adorngoods.com
AdornGoods.com