Mark Minick, owner of Minick Interiors, gave an interview in his design studio. He told how he opened the business in 2004. Fabrics of various colors and patterns hung from racks in the studio, and Minick told how they were from various companies they represent.

He told how in addition to the furniture and items they offered in the store, 90% of their work is custom order for a client. “So basically, I put their entire room together, and then order what we’ve chosen.” He estimated that they work with over 50 different manufacturers to bring the designs for customers to life.

Interior design work has allowed Minick to travel to a variety of locations. “We are lucky enough to do interior design work and work all over the United States. We’ve been as far as Denver, Colorado, to do a job, and we do a lot of mountain and beach homes for our clients. So travel is always there. We get to have a little bit of fun.”

Though he did note there were challenges. “The biggest challenge is always employees. That’s the hardest thing.”

Minick describes the store’s style as Southern with a mix of early plantation. “I like primitives, but I also like fine English mahogany pieces too.”

He also described their Christmas display. “With the open house coming up, we always have three to five different themed trees for customers and clients to buy from.” He talked about pieces. “We do lot of collectable stuff.” He listed Simon Pearce blown glass trees and the Christopher Radko ornaments as examples.

Minick also described bridal registry as a big part of their business. “We do a large bridal registry table top. You know, being in a small Southern town, that’s still a big thing for couples to come in and register and receive gifts.”

Minick shared how he has a love for antiques, which is reflected in his store. “Antiques are a love of mine. I’d rather have an antique piece of furniture than a new piece of furniture nine times out of 10. So I am a collector when it comes to antiques, and I do at least one overseas trip a year to buy antiques and bring them back over on containers.”

Minick has been looking for antiques since his teens. “I guess you would say I started just as soon as I could start buying stuff.”

Minick talked about his latest trip, where he spent 10 days traveling North and South through England. He told how he was able to acquire a piece from the set of The Crown, which now resides in Minick’s home.

He listed a few of the interesting antiques available in the store. “Probably the most interesting piece I have in the store now . . . would be the country pine cupboard that came out of a manor house just below Sussex.”

Minick described the piece. “It’s pine, and it has a beautiful blue patina where it has been painted before, but it’s over 10 foot long, and it was in a butler’s pantry part of this manor home. The house was being torn down, so that was saved.”

He also found an 1822 set of Spode China. “It’s called Peacock, probably the oldest full set of China that I’ve ever found.”

Minick told how antiques featured into his work for customers. “In my design work, an antiques’ always used somewhere in the house.”