Define your personal style in three words.
Funky, layered, and uncomplicated.
How has your style evolved over time?
As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more confident in what drives my decision making—I’m much more intentional about where I’m pulling my inspiration from. My style has evolved into my own because my influences at this point in my life are more authentic and less chaotic.
Who are your style icons?
Beata Heuman, Merete Coleman, and Heidi Caillier. All three women are incredibly talented at blending color and texture into a space. No two spaces of theirs ever look exactly the same, and I think that’s truly an art form in a world of cookie-cutter design trends. It’s clear to me that these ladies are unapologetically themselves through their work, and I admire that greatly.
Viand Mercantile, your thoughtfully curated home goods store in the Old Port, opened this year. What’s currently trending there?
Vintage items as a broad category are always really popular for us, but right now vintage art is moving at the speed of light.
Speaking of vintage, what are your top three tips for antiquing?
1. The more you go, the more you know! Every trip is an opportunity for information gathering on prices, trends, history, designer names, etc. The more you learn, the more informed of a decision maker you’ll be.
2. Never sleep on a stellar piece of framed art under $200. If it speaks to you, is framed in a way you can live with, and is priced around $200, it’s best to grab it when you see it. Original art can be pricey, and so is custom framing—I understand why, but it’s all the more reason to snatch up inexpensive vintage art when you come across it.
3. Buy the thing that speaks to you for reasons unknown. You’ll start to define your style and have a heck of a lot more fun doing it when you buy for the feeling in your gut and not the trend in your head.
What’s your favorite antique find of all time?
You’re asking me to choose my favorite child! I have so many: a 5’x5’ framed Marimekko mid century fabric piece hanging in my guest bedroom, a hand-built and hand-painted clam-shaped stool, a gorgeous XL jewel tone painting of a woman in the buff looking away in my living room, a pair of funky French tulip wall sconces in my daughters’ bedroom, a large brass footed ice chest that I sold to the ladies of Revel Board + Beverage. I love antiquing so much that the list is honestly endless, and I hope it never peaks to just one favorite thing.
Any advice for blending contemporary style with vintage and antique finds?
It’s a feeling! Find what sparks joy, what makes you laugh, or what feels right. There’s no magical equation, but ask yourself this: If it’s old, does it add warmth or character? If it’s new, does it fill a need or add texture/design? Have fun with the answers.
In addition to running Viand Mercantile, you also work as a commercial food photographer and stylist. How do you approach interpreting a client’s style when shooting for a brand or business?
I always make it a point to fully understand my clients’ goals—not just with the literal photoshoot, but with the entire brand and the direction of their work. If I can fully understand their values and mission—in terms of where they are heading and why—then I can interpret and capture the moments on set that will truly add value for them.
ABOUT JENNY
After years of coordinating photoshoots for small businesses and creatives, Jenny noticed a need for flexible and functional production space, so she opened the Kitchen & Photo Studio to serve the northern New England photography and video production market. As the photo studio evolved, so did Jenny's passion to provide the community with the props she loved to curate and photograph. In 2020, she launched Viand Vintage out of her photography studio with seasonal pop-ups around Maine. A few years later, Jenny opened the brick and mortar Viand Mercantile on 470 Fore Street in downtown Portland. Married to a small business owner like herself, Jenny is passionate about connecting and supporting small businesses and female entrepreneurs.
[When it comes to pairing new and old pieces,] find what sparks joy, what makes you laugh, or what feels right.
You’ll start to define your style and have a heck of a lot more fun doing it when you buy for the feeling in your gut and not the trend in your head.