Well-known for its array of fresh market fare and its single, coveted dinner reservation, Talula’s Table in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania also has a carefully-curated vintage style worth bringing into your own home.
That same style will surely be reflected in owner Aimee Olexy’s new Philadelphia venture, Talula’s Daily (210 W. Washington Square), which is set to open mid-July. Adjacent to Olexy’s highly-touted Talula’s Garden, Talula’s Daily is a sit-down cafe by day and supper club by night. Of course, the ambitious Olexy can’t stop there. You’ll also find a collection of gourmet prepared dishes, over one hundred cheeses and straight-from-the-oven baked goods. Beer to-go and an expansive wine bar sets Talula’s Daily apart from the typical epicurean endeavor.
While you’re daydreaming about your next visit to any of the Talula properties, here are five essential elements to get the look of Talula’s Table in your home:
1. Vintage Aprons
Sure, these heirlooms from Grandma’s era protect your clothes from kitchen mishaps, but they also add a whimsical touch to your baking adventures. Find vintage aprons at freshvintage (located at Highland Orchards, 992 Marshallton Thorndale Rd, West Chester, PA 19380). Prices range from $8 for a half-apron to $12 for a full apron (for the extra-messy home cook).
2. Antique Kitchen Scale
An antique grocery store scale acts as a beautiful backdrop to a basket of seasonal berries or homemade bread on a kitchen counter or center island. If you lack counter space, opt for a vintage hanging produce scale filled with freshly-picked fruit. Visit Cottage Home (520 S. Bradford Ave. West Chester, PA 19382) for kitchen scales priced from $62 to $78.
3. Architectural Salvage
Simple details make all the difference, especially in newer homes with stark angles. Install salvaged corbels in your bare corners to add warmth and interest to a room. With over 5,000 square feet of antiques, Brandywine View Antiques (1301 Brinton Bridge Rd. Chadds Ford, PA 19317) is a sure spot for seeking old house parts and architectural salvage. Single small corbels start at $25, and larger, more ornate pairs can be purchased for $125 and up.
4. Chalkboards
Family schedules, to-do lists, summer party menus … there are so many practical reasons to hang a chalkboard in the kitchen. Look for vintage chalkboards of all sizes at freshvintage, ranging in price from $20 to $125. TIP: Use colored Bistro Chalk Markers instead of classic chalk to get the same look as Talula’s eye-catching menu. Available at Rubenstein’s (250 E. Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382) for $14 per pack of four markers.
5. Mismatched Chairs
Mimic the look of Talula’s famous communal farm table by surrounding yours with an array of colorfully-painted wooden chairs. An inexpensive alternative to perfectly matched dining sets, vintage chairs can be gradually collected over time at local antique shops or pop-up markets like West Chester’s A Vintage Garage Sale (next sale: August 2, 2013) or Ardmore’s Clover Market (next sale: September 15, 2013). Depending on where you shop, prices typically range from $10 to $40 per chair.
Talula’s Table is located at 102 W. State St. in Kennett Square, PA 19348. They are reachable by phone at (610) 444-8255. Follow them on Facebook for updates on their seasonal fare and last-minute reservation availability.
- Photography: Colleen Allison
