KINGSTON — Pat Heenan said when decorating the home, one doesn’t always have to tear up the room and start over. Just a simple change in paint, a new piece of furniture or even moving lamps, chairs, tables and the like around can change the whole mood or feeling of a room.
With Heenan’s new business, Just Tweak It in Kingston, she wants to let people know that there is guidance available for those struggling with interior design problems or just need help with moving on to the next step. And customers will have plenty of solutions to chose from with antique furniture to simple boxes to imported pottery, mostly inspired by European influences from Italy, France and England.
The name of Heenan’s store defines her purpose.
“Just tweak it,” Heenan said. “Move something or change the fabric. It can change a mood (or) a room.
“Lots of furniture is made very well,” she said. “(You) just slightly change it.” By this, she means by even just simply reupholstering older furniture, it can look brand new.
Heenan will supply a variety of goods for the home to help improve in large or small amounts. While selling antique furniture from the late 1800s to early 1900s, she also buys and deals directly with the local and national artists.
Local artist Jeff Kutz created the wrought iron shelves and gates that adorn her store. The art work on gift cards available was also created by artists from the region.
Despite the local influence, some of the smaller boxes, cabinets and other home accessory items at the store were built by a group of men in Illinois who stripped down a 1920s house and created items using the available wood.
Her husband, Jerry, is also lending a skillful hand to the business.
A corporate pilot by day and hobbyist carpenter by night and in his spare time, Jerry creates a variety of furniture, including the Adirondack chairs made from Alaskan cedar. His work actually inspired her to start up this shop — again.
About two decades ago, Heenan had her own interior design company for a short time, consulting and redecorating people’s homes. But after 18 years as an insurance agent and independent broker, Heenan wanted to step back into a slower pace of life and go back to what she loves. Plus, her interest in working with people is another aspect that she looks forward to continue doing.
“After 20 years of doing the same thing, you get to the middle age of doing something you want to do,” Heenan said. “This is what I really like to do, it’s my passion.”
Another aspect she finds important in opening up Just Tweak It is to make items available for the home that aren’t easily accessible around here — the items that people search for in Seattle such as olive oil bottles, small gifts that are needed at the last minute and guest towels and linens for the company.
“You cannot go anywhere around here to find a nice bottle opener or wine stopper,” she said. Everything will have a European flavor — pottery, place mats and napkins to just name a few. The antique furniture woods range from cherry to walnut to mahogany.
With future opening expected in August and a grand opening expected in September, Heenan wants to make sure than the residents in Kingston and surrounding communities are set and have a place to come to find that one “something” to make their homes perfect.
