Photos by Jie Deng
Text by Richard L. Gaw

The business collaboration of Sandra Mulry and Deanna Johnson – one that breathes life into their Lieu Antiques & Interiors on West State Street in Kennett Square – is one of generous and stunning overlap and melded by two creative minds.

As a member of the Square Roots Collective team, Mulry was infusing her eclectic design style into the formation of The Kennett Creamery, while on the other side of State Street, Johnson’s Marché Lifestyle Boutique was cracking the creative mold of how furniture, linens, home décor, women’s clothing, gifts, and accessories could enhance one’s lifestyle.

“The first time I walked into Marché, Deanna’s sense of style just blew me away,” Mulry said. “Finally, I thought, someone truly gets it. She is one of the most talented people I know. I was so inspired, and that’s what really started what became a partnership. Deanna came up with the idea of creating Lieu and kept asking me if I would be interested in bringing our skills to the interior design market. It just made sense to the both of us, and we began to put the pieces together.”

“Sandra was such an amazing storyteller for Square Roots Collective, whose mission has been to gather the stories of our history and our eclectic cultures,” Johnson said. “I felt it would be inspiring for Sandra to bring her stories to what had largely been an untapped market in this community, and together, we embarked on that first story, which was ‘Let’s make this happen.’” 

From the day that Lieu Antiques & Interiors opened on December 14, 2023, the store has been a love letter to the eclecticism of personal style and statement, from a well-placed antique to a one-of-a-kind heirloom that will complement a vintage dress.

“One of our initial goals was to present merchandise in a different light,” Johnson said. “Many times, shopping for antiques and collectibles becomes a picking experience in order to find that diamond in the rough. We carefully curate in order to present the juxtaposition of old and new, by bringing all our pieces together.”

Translated from the French language, “Lieu” stands for “Place.” For those seeking to step out of the often safe confines of self-expression – whether for the home or for one’s sense of personal style – there is no safer place that what Sandra Mulry and Deanna Johnson have created.

Lieu Antiques & Interiors is located at 404 West State Street in Kennett Square. To learn more (610) 242-9540 or visit them on Facebook. The store proudly showcases collections from BDH Antiques, William Groves Antiques, Rita Balee Antiques, Charlie Dog Vintage, Gallerie Simo, g. marie vintage and Marché Lifestyle Boutique.