COVER STORY By M.G. Angulo Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography
Roots & Relics vendors: Tom Bridgeman, Vicki Seely, Carrie Miller, Michelle Bridgeman, Brent Matl, Lisa Polk, Carolyn Gilligan and Jonathan Wang.
Transforms Houses into Homes
ot all dwellings are considered homes. No matter the size, location, style or function, a house requires personal touches, unique perspectives, themes, ambiance, flavor or warmth to transform into a home, explained interior designer Michelle Bridgeman. Sometimes the occupant knows precisely what is needed to sweeten their living spaces, but other times a person may need a bit of direction to bring a vision to reality. Or perhaps, Bridgeman said, it is inspiration a person needs. And should that be the case, Roots & Relics Antiques and Garden in Rosenberg is well-suited for the challenge.
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Up-Cycling: Tom and Michelle Bridgeman are committed to bringing new life to old pieces. They take great pride in their work and focus on giving customers great quality and beautiful pieces.
In a time when people are shying away from, or completely avoiding, the unoriginal cookie-cutter decor and lick-and-stick embellishments for their homes, boutiques like Roots & Relics have become a hot spot for those people looking to be original. Or Eclectic. Chic. Vintage. Traditional. Or more pressingly, authentically themselves. The decor options are bountiful in this boutique that features 5,000 square feet of “a beautifully curated shopping experience,” explained one of the boutique’s principals Jonathan Wang. Situated in the heart of Historic Downtown Rosenberg, Roots & Relics offers traditional high-end, unique refinished furniture, one-of-a-kind gifts and a peaceful garden area. “We carry pieces you can’t find anywhere else,” said Bridgeman, a fellow Roots & Relics principal. Customers will recognize brands such as Fredericksburg Farms, Thymes, Fat Cat Hot Sauce, Duke Cannon, and even SweetNes Honey, which is locally-sourced honey from Damon, Texas. Locally, Roots & Relics is known as “a treasure trove full of ideas,” and for good reason, Bridgeman said. “We carry one-of-a-kind pieces here, and our vendors put their love into those items.” She pauses for a beat before adding: “It’s like taking a piece of their home and incorporating it into your home. That’s the love, that’s the meaning a home needs.” And if the outdoor living space holds a higher priority than the interior of the home, “We have anything and everything to transform your backyard into a lush paradise,” Wang said, adding that what is seen and available in the garden changes seasonally. Like when the holidays rolled in, the giant ornaments rolled out. “Some were the size of a grown man,” Wang said with a laugh. “Trust me, you can find something for any area of your home here.”
