What could be better than a husband-wife duo selling fantastic vintage in Nashville? How about a husband-wife duo selling fantastic leather vintage goods from Nashville on Chairish?
Reviving his grandfather Peter Nappi’s legacy in 2009, Phillip Nappi began designing premium leather goods in Nashville, which were then lovingly handmade in Tuscany. He enlisted the help of his wife Dana, and their company took off!
After an inspiring trip to a Paris flea market in 2010, the Nappis expanded their business to include sending home shipping containers full of not only freshly crafted accessories, but also stunning European antiques.
We love the Nappi’s traditional vintage aesthetic – especially the moodier rock ’n’ roll inspired pieces like this ah-mazing black leather couch! We sat down with the Nappi’s and picked their brains about living and loving vintage in Nashville.
1. What vintage item are people loving in Nashville?
We’ve sold several leather benches. They are great pieces that can basically be used anywhere.
2. What’s one thing most people don’t know about Nashville?
The town regarded as the capital of country music has had a few stellar rock `n’ roll moments. Jimi Hendrix, first as a frequent visitor from nearby Fort Campbell, then as a resident, learned how to really play guitar while in Nashville during the early 1960s. Bob Dylan fell in love when he recorded one of nascent rock’s defining records, “Blonde on Blonde,” before returning to cut his country album, “Nashville Skyline.” And Elvis Presley and Paul McCartney spent time here recording. The diversity of and between the genres of music – and yet the creative collaboration between those musicians – contributes to making Music City so vibrant. But the rock scene wasn’t bright enough for outsiders to see past the city’s rhinestone glitz. That is, until now… Nashville has become a hub for pop, rock, bluegrass, Americana, jazz, classical, contemporary Christian, blues, and soul music. Rolling Stone recently gave Nashville the title of “Best Music Scene.” Artists like Robert Plant, Kid Rock,Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, and Michael Buble, among many others, have come to Music City to write and record. Names like Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Michael McDonald,Keb’ Mo’, Sheryl Crow, Paramore, Hot Chelle Rae, and Jack White have chosen to call Nashville home. Nashville is also home to United Record Pressing, North America’s largest volume producing vinyl record plant. Opened in 1949, United Record Pressing has pressed vinyl records for everyone from Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles to Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and Ludacris.
3. If you didn’t own your business, what would you do?
Suffocate. I tried working in a “big company” once. It didn’t work well for me. I think some people are just born to do things differently.
4. You can’t live without your…
Morning routine. I need silence, coffee, my books then exercise. If you start the day off right, you can handle just about anything.
5. Design crush
Axel Vervoordt & @cerealmag
6. What’s the best design tip you’ve ever received?
Always edit. Less is usually more.
7. The film whose aesthetic most closely resembles my store/inventory is…
The Talented Mr Ripley.
8. What do you think is the best part about shopping vintage?
The history a vintage piece represents. And the senses of discovery. Anyone with a credit card can buy a Restoration Hardware couch. But then what? Where’s the story? How is that special? An awesome vintage Chesterfield you find in San Francisco or Chicago just seems so much more interesting.
