We are awestruck by the accomplishments of Kevin Kleinbardt and Ahna Petersen of Yew Tree House Antiques in New York. The two partners first established their strikingly aesthetic shop in the mid-1980s. Since its opening, the shop has flourished, garnering a stellar reputation among designers, collectors, and lovers of the beautiful and rare.
Kevin appears to be gifted with the ability to discover unusual, valuable pieces wherever he travels. When coupled with Ahna’s remarkable design sense, the magic happens. Over their decades working together, Kevin and Ahna have refined their quest for the best, most beautiful, and original items, discovering pieces throughout Europe and along the east coast of the USA.
Kevin serves on the Executive Committee of the AADLA, the oldest and most respected antiques and fine arts organization in the USA.
“We like things that show their age,” says Ahna. “In order to fit in with our collection, we look for beauty, patina, and craftsmanship, both in execution and design.” Yew Street House offers an impressive collection of English country furniture, hearth items, mirrors, objects, and European folk art.
Over the years, Kevin has been responsible for several vital finds, now featured in museums or restored to an owner who thought it was lost forever. Case in point, recently, Kevin discovered an important Chippendale piece while attending an antiques fair.
He immediately thought the piece appeared similar to a piece master cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale created for Paxton House, a historic house built in the mid-1700s in Paxton, Berwickshire. The Chippendale secretaire turned out to be not only similar but the actual Chippendale house secretaire that was sold to a private collector in years past.
Yew Tree House has an impressive client list, ranging from fashion and media personalities to architects and designers and people from all walks of life. Kevin and Ahna have helped many clients build a collection or find the perfect pieces to furnish a home. They have the uncanny ability to know a piece is exactly right for the individual.
Kevin loves the adventure of searching for an unexpected find, with every day a journey bringing fresh experiences. You can hear more about Yew Street House Antiques in Kevin’s own words in this short video.
