Market Day

“A sense of place has always been important to me,” says Tanya Triber, who grew up in New Mexico. Photo by Matt Rose

Dwellings is a trove of high-end furniture, art, and home goods — but all of the earthy colors and textures give it the tone of a village bazaar. Owner Chris McMillan has filled a combined 22,000 square feet: the chic rustic/modern aesthetic segues from the retail space to the adjoining warehouse, the landing pad for rare items from India destined for the showroom.

Protected by McMillan’s Tibetan Spaniel shop mascots, Addy and Miles, Dwellings also houses store-within-a-store Lost and Foundry, vendor Susan Chancey’s collection of gift items, lighting, pillows, and accessories. And Tanya Triber, one of Dwellings’ sales and design associates, brings her own experience — in her case, it was honed by necessity. While Triber’s style grew out of a Southwestern upbringing, she had to put it to everyday use when she opened The Junction, an upscale farm-to-table bistro in Asheville’s River Arts District, with her husband Charles.

How did you find yourself on the path of a creative?
My New Mexico childhood, where I witnessed breathtaking skies, storms, and sunsets, influenced my aesthetic. But I didn’t grow up with a particular awareness of architecture or design. My parents were practical, and I can’t deny that sensibility shaped me, too — but a sense of place has always been important to me. Oregon’s natural beauty was part of why I ended up there for college, and Western North Carolina’s natural beauty had much to do with why I’m here now. I’ve often marveled at these mountains, even in the Target parking lot!

Have your experiences as a homeowner and restaurant co-owner informed your design sense?
For sure. We bought our first house here in 2006 in Kenilworth, a vintage special. Then we built a new house two years ago, also in Kenilworth. I had a blast choosing finishes, lighting, furniture, and everything else. It was the same with the Junction project: I chose fixtures, furnishings, and lighting, and worked on the space’s architectural flow. This was great fun during the “all hands on deck” time of taking the risk of opening a business in the pressure-cooker world of food and drink.

How did you get to Dwellings?
After the intensity of doing the Junction, I stepped back and thought about creative work. I even considered the Western Carolina University interior-design program, but I have two daughters and it wasn’t the practical choice then. Designer friends advised me to ditch the idea of the credential, jump in somewhere, and work in whatever design capacity I could. I walked into Dwellings three years ago, loved it, and Chris was getting ready to advertise a position. We had an interview and next thing I knew, I was working here. I’ve loved every minute of it.

What do you think makes Dwellings different?
The earthiness keeps us from going too modern, and vice versa. We mix metal, wood, and interesting textiles to create a rich, welcoming feeling. … Our overdyed rugs are popular. The process involves shaving, bleaching, and re-dying vintage rugs in colors that pop. [With the addition of] Lost and Foundry, it’s never the same store twice.

There’s an international vibe … but also a commitment to local. Explain.
Chris has traveled to India for years to find one-of-a-kind items; I went with him this past year. It was incredible — we visited factories, watched workers repurpose pieces, and got a full understanding of where everything came from. We also visit the High Point [North Carolina] and Atlanta markets. The vast majority of our pieces are American-made, and 98% of our upholstery is North Carolina-made. We want to honor our state’s history as a furniture capital.

Has the store’s signature style made its way into your own home?
Yes. I’ve learned about wood, sturdiness, and overall quality. I always say we got our first round of “grownup furniture” from Dwellings when we built our new home.

How do you relax as a busy working mom?
It’s all about the garden for me. In fact, I’m investigating garden furniture as my latest home project. Hiking with my girls in these mountains is also a favorite pastime.

Dwellings is located at 9 Reed St., Suite B, in Biltmore Village, Asheville. 828-350-1333. For more information, see dwellingsinspired.com.

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