Talking Shop: Antiques? That’s not a risky business
Joseph and Jennifer D’Ambra grew up on movie sets.
Their father, a prop master, was in charge of building and decorating items for scenery. For the siblings, the decor in “Risky Business,” one of their father’s first gigs, was their beginning exposure to appreciating well-made items that were unusual to find in a disposable culture.
When Joseph would see a sturdy 100-year-old piece on a set, he’d marvel at the thought of the furniture outlasting modern production. Influenced by his father’s love of carpentry and the craftsmanship of handmade furniture, Joseph wanted to replicate the woodworking skills of the furniture-makers who came before him.
“My whole family was in the movie business,” Joseph said. “My dad, my uncles and me and we would walk around a set, and we just thought it was so cool.”
Today, that passion for one-of-a-kind items, artifacts and handcrafted furniture is featured in Joseph’s 3-year-old Costa Mesa business, Heirlooms and Hardware.
He remembered when he positioned props on “Batman Begins” and did set dressing for “The Break-Up,” a 2006 comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. The studio asked Joseph to hang expensive paintings on a wall, because Aniston’s character was an art dealer. He remembered carrying a painting valued at $10,000 and hearing Aniston tease, “Don’t drop that!”
But Joseph could never leave behind the memory of the props.
Inspiration struck him when he met and married his wife, Jessica. The couple visited eastern Europe to scour antique shops and markets for vintage finds that had outlived centuries. The newlyweds shipped the artifacts in cargo containers and opened a shop, Heirlooms and Hardware, at SoCo Collection in Costa Mesa three years ago. Their mission is to sell the unique pieces to customers who appreciated the past.
And when the D’Ambras needed someone to help manage the business, they turned to family. Jennifer became director of operations.
Joseph wanted to add custom pieces he built from rustic salvaged wood furniture to the merchandise. Today, he uses reclaimed wood that dates back 100 years or more to make furniture often designed by customers for their homes.
“We try to put our touches in everything we sell,” Joseph said. “We want it to be a true antique.”
Heirlooms and Hardware has developed a cult following since customers wanted more home decor that told a story. Now, to occupy a space double in size, the D’Ambras plan to close their flagship store at the OC Mix and make their sole retail space at the Lab, across from Urban Outfitters and Gypsy Den. On Nov. 6, the family held its grand opening at the Lab with music, refreshments and gifts for over 100 guests.
“It’s been super fun,” Jessica said. “This is very exciting.”
The D’Ambras gave guests a behind-the-scenes tour of their new location at the Lab. A cross-country buying trip and their visits to Europe created a patchwork of unique objects found throughout the shop. The ceiling tiles were once in a rundown school. An old medicine cabinet from Hungary served as a bookcase. Wood candle holders shaped as blocks were made from a table’s leg base.
“We try to utilize every piece,” Joseph said.
The store, which sells Joseph’s mother’s handmade jewelry, also carries works made by local artists. One such piece is a vintage industrial light bulb screwed onto a cut of aged wood.
The team’s custom-designed tables, clothing racks and jewelry displays also are featured in restaurants and retail spaces such as As Issued: Art + Design Bookstore, Cloth & Metal in Costa Mesa, Gypsy Den and the newly-opened Moulin bistro in Newport Beach.
“We eat at our tables,” the couple joked.
Joseph said the new and larger location was to make it easier for customers to browse through the store and work alongside him to design furniture of their own imagination.
“I love when homeowners enjoy the piece,” Joseph said. “Jessica and I both had this passion for antiques, and it just feels like a great marriage between that and the handmade furniture.”
And the memory of being on a movie set is brought back to life in the business’ new showroom. One would have to do a double-take to know the shop’s brick white wall is artificial.
“That was all pre-formed,” Joseph said with a laugh when he explained how he made the 45-by-16-foot wall out of the same material found in egg cartons. To create an authentic look, he grouted the material and spray-painted the wall white.
“I aged that,” he said. “Now, that was a fun task.”
If You Go
What: Heirlooms and Hardware
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: In the OC Mix; and at The Lab, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa
Information: (949) 351-1970 or visit heirloomsandhardware.com