When we started Joshua Allen Design, we knew it was important to partner with other small businesses like ours whenever possible! We truly believe that supporting each other is one small step we can take toward a positive and enduring future for our community.
Sterling & Maple is Joshua Allen Design’s handcrafted and hand-selected home furnishing line, and we are proud to partner with Page 1 Rewrite to feature hand crafted furniture and décor items! Our Sterling & Maple retail store is located in Sterling, MA, as part of the collection at “Oh My Gosh” Antiques and Collectibles.
Page 1 Rewrite is a wonderful custom furniture refinishing and home décor business owned by a dear friend, Robin Ryan! Robin, who also owns Robin Falk Photography, is the person we call for all of our custom refinishing needs.
We are so lucky to work with a wonderfully creative and down to earth business owner like Robin! We sat down to chat about her unique talent and business.
1. When did you start Page 1 Rewrite?
I started refinishing furniture in the spring of 2019. I had no idea it would become something I truly loved to do.
2. Is the name sentimental? Why did you choose it?
I chose the name Page 1 Rewrite because it was how I felt about each piece of furniture when I brought it home. Some pieces were so beat up and neglected that they were in need of a complete makeover, a page one rewrite. It was more of a joke in the beginning, but the name stuck.
3. What is your main focus for POR?
My main focus is to give these neglected pieces of furniture a chance to shine again and be appreciated in a space in someone’s home. Someone’s trash is definitely my treasure.
4. How did you end up in this type of business?
Well, I grew up with very creative parents. My father built every house I lived in and my mother designed every home. My dad always had an amazing workshop and would bring home scrap wood to burn and I would sneak down to the basement and build tables, chairs and beds for my dolls. But I always hated painting. After we bought our home, I realized I would have to suck it up and start painting again. I realized it wasn’t as bad as I remembered and in fact, quite satisfying. So, I ran with it.
5. What words best describe your company?
Giving facelifts to furniture while my kid naps.
6. Can you describe your customers?
That’s a tough one. Family? Most of my family members buy pieces from me before I have an opportunity to post them for sale. I have just recently started offering my services to refinish pieces for clients. I can’t tell you how many pieces I have purchased from people who have given up ever refinishing it themselves. So I thought, why not offer to do it for them.
7. What is your favorite thing to work on? Furniture? Décor Pieces?
I really like working with any piece of furniture that has intricate details. I love painting over them and then distressing the detail work and have it come to life again.
8. How do you pick a piece of furniture? Where do you find most of the pieces?
I know it sounds corny but I try to find pieces that speak to me. Also, I want to make sure it’s a piece that’s functional in any space. I find my pieces all over the place. Facebook, the recycling center, side of the road, flea markets, yard sales...I am a dumpster diver. It’s a problem.
9. Who inspires you (alive or not) and why?
My father, Gary Falk. All my life, he has been building and creating and I’ve always wanted to work with my hands like him. In 2011, he had a stroke and suffered some serious side effects but that didn’t stop him. He has continued to build and refinish furniture. When I want to give up on a piece of work, I look at those pieces of furniture that are in my home that my father completed after the stroke, I am reminded that he didn’t give up and neither should I.
10. How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation? Something else?
Well, it’s definitely not money. HA! Honestly, seeing my finished pieces in customers homes feels like a huge success for me.
11. What makes POR unique?
I try to give my clients a wide variety of pieces. I get bored easily so I want all pieces to be different and unique in their own way. I’m always trying new techniques and colors and don’t even get me started on hardware!
12. What are your future goals?
I have a lot of ideas for Page 1 Rewrite and would love to see my work in a store front, eventually. But I’m taking it one piece at a time and seeing where it leads me
We try to support and buy from locally and independently operated establishments whenever possible. Investing in our towns is the best way to come together, build lasting relationships, and contribute to a thriving future!
You can find Page 1 Rewrite’s furniture décor items at our Sterling & Maple retail store located in Sterling, MA, as part of the collection at “Oh My Gosh” Antiques and Collectibles! We are located in their Cider Mill building at 15 Wauschacum Ave. Sterling & Maple aims to merge the practical and functional elements of interior design with the beautiful and unique aspects of each piece of furniture and decor — making every space as individual as the person living in it.