Photograph: Caravan Curated Home – Pam Zaremba
Above: In the living room vignette, two 1940s chairs covered in faux sheepskin flank a mahogany and marble empire end table.
The hunt for new treasures from around the world just got a little closer to home with the arrival of CARAVAN CURATED HOME. Inspired by a shared passion for travel and one-of-a-kind finds, co-owners Vanessa Bikindou and Claudine Maidique graced their new lifestyle boutique, which opened in New Canaan this past fall, with a name that says it all. “The store has a lot of layers, and that inspired the name ‘Caravan,’” says Maidique. “I’m Italian, and Vanessa has a French background, and we both travel a lot. You’ll find a lot of personality in here.”
Organized into various living spaces, including a seating area, kitchen and dining area, bath and bedroom, the open, loft-like space encourages visitors to rotate through and discover a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary pieces from around the world. A free-standing tub and bath fixtures from Badeloft and retro-inspired kitchen appliances from the Big Chill are also seamlessly integrated. “It’s like moving through a house,” says Bikindou. “You get the feeling of being home.” New items are introduced regularly, so visitors may fall in love with a hand-hammered Moroccan silver tray on one visit and a nineteenth-century marble Venetian mantle on the next. Artwork by French photographer Antoine Verglas is currently on display, and another artist will be featured this spring.
In addition, Caravan also offers interior design and renovation services and furniture and artwork sourcing. Maidique, an interior designer, and Bikindou, an antiques dealer, combine their expertise to create homes that layer different eras, provenances and cultural references. “Our clients are adventurous, both in traveling and in the way they think,” says Maidique. “It comes down to being open and loving beautiful things.” 12 Burtis Avenue, New Canaan; 646-925-0393; caravancuratedhome.com