Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Morris.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi I’m Steven Morris, the owner of Xcape Modern Vintage Furniture & accessories on 4th Street, in Long Beach’s Retro Row. I got into vintage 27 years ago when my partner & I bought a house in Long Beach, and I realized how much I enjoyed the beauty and craftsmanship of Mid-Century design. I started by doing furniture consignments at various stores, and selling items I had acquired. From there, I went on to sell in my own booth at flea markets and antique mall spaces, from LA to Orange County, and eventually opened the store on Retro Row in Long Beach, where I am now.
By doing the flea markets, I realized I enjoy the personal connections with customers. I’ve made friends along the way – other merchants , vendors & customers who’ve become lifelong friends. Seeing their enthusiasm for MidC design and love of living in Long Beach is so rewarding! I’ve been at this location for about 20 years, and last year, we were awarded our Legacy Business status by the city.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning your own business comes with pros and cons, of course. But I love my job. Every day’s different — I never know how today’s going to play out. Sometimes I’m purchasing things, sometimes I’m selling things. The key? Try to sell more than I buy!
Each day is an interesting day; I’m quite busy. I love it when I get “the phone call,” when I’m invited into homes and get to hear the owners’ stories. I see so many beautiful homes and how the owners have made it their own by using something from my store, like a one-of-a-kind studio coffee table, perhaps, or an iconic Herman Miller Eames lounge chair from the 1950’s. I enjoy hearing people’s stories, how they’re moving, downsizing, upsizing, purchasing their first home, finally having an outdoor space, etc. I’m not an interior designer, but I’ve helped many customers over the years find the right pieces for their taste at this new point in their lives, whatever it is. What really excites me is sharing in the customers’ excitement around furnishing their new space, and I love being a part of that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I found that I have a creative side! I never realized how much I’d enjoy the creative expression part of the vintage home furnishings business. Helping a couple choose powdercoat colors or strapping for a vintage patio set is a big thrill. We specialize in Mid-Century patio furniture, and the before & after is exhilarating- knowing that these pieces are sometimes 50-75 years old and are now ready for another lifetime!
We also have lots of interior pieces, for all rooms. For upholstery pieces, I’ll often help a buyer choose a fabric. Or if it’s something that I’m picking out of a fab look for, to put in our ever-changing store windows, I like figuring out what type of fabric would suit it best, and how it should be upholstered. I try to always keep a piece looking as true to original as possible. I also enjoy doing the window displays, and combining lighting, furniture and accessories like Italian pottery, to make a fun and complete look. My neighbors and regular visitors love to see the new window displays every week. Stop by and see them for yourself, please! And let me know what you think.
I have many different sources for my furniture and I work to find items that were from one owner’s personal estate in very good condition. There’s some really cool stuff in Southern California! It doesn’t matter if it’s a name brand or a studio piece, good design transcends and I’m open to all eras and aesthetics. From Mid-Century to more contemporary, good design is good design.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Please stop by and say hello! We are open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 6 and 12 to 5, every week. We’re also open by appointment. Just give us a call, we’d love to work with you on your next project. For professionals: if you’re an architect or interior designer or you’re furnishing an Airbnb, we can work with you on your budget and design. We’re not just furniture – we have a lot of smaller items, perfect for gifts. We also do lay away. Come stroll the block – if you haven’t been to LB in a while, Retro Row (4th St) has a lot of independent shops, attractions and great restaurants. Our Instagram is also always changing, and we feature our new items on the feed, so definitely follow us on Instagram!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xcapemodern.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xcapemodern
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/XcapeVintage
