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Kenzi Wilbur, a refreshing and unconventional antiques dealer, has carved out a unique niche in the world of antiques with her shop, Freaks’, located on Warren Street in Hudson, N.Y. Her journey into the antiques trade is as much about self-discovery and creative expression as it is about honoring the past. Wilbur’s story, shared with Antiques and The Arts Weekly, offers a glimpse into her personal and professional evolution, her approach to sourcing and curating, and her vision for the future.
A Journey Rooted in Lineage and Self-Discovery
Wilbur’s connection to antiques began in childhood, growing up in an antique-filled home as the granddaughter of an antiques dealer. While she was surrounded by beauty and tradition, she also became acutely aware of how lineage and inherited objects can sometimes stifle personal creativity and identity. Her parents’ home, filled with items they didn’t necessarily love but kept out of familial obligation, became a metaphor for the ways in which we can feel imprisoned by the past.
After a 15-year career in media and entertainment, Wilbur returned to the world of antiques, not just to honor the past but to escape its constraints and forge her own path. For her, antiques are more than objects—they are catalysts for self-reflection and learning. She describes the gravitational pull of objects, a force that eventually drew her back to the trade. “Objects are one of the best catalysts for self-reflection,” she says. “Not much—save for a few very special people in my life—has taught me more about myself.”
The Birth of Freaks’
The name Freaks’ emerged from a playful brainstorming session with friends, where they rhymed words with “antiques.” The term “freak” resonated with Wilbur, not in its modern connotation, but in its earlier meaning—a fancy or unusual thing. This idea of celebrating the unique, the quirky, and the beautifully imperfect became the foundation of her shop. The apostrophe at the end of “Freaks’” signifies that the shop belongs to the objects themselves, each one a little “freak” in its own right.
Sourcing and Curating
Wilbur’s approach to sourcing is eclectic and relentless. She scours auctions, estate sales, yard sales, basements, barn sales, and even Goodwill stores, both in the U.S. and abroad. Her shop offers a diverse range of items, from case goods, tables, and chairs to textiles, décor, ceramics, and art. What ties these pieces together is their character—they are objects that have survived, bearing the marks of time and use, yet still exude beauty and charm.
Wilbur is drawn to pieces that look like they’ve “just woke up like this”—worn, weathered, and unapologetically themselves. She has a particular affinity for chairs, which she sees as a unique intersection of form and function, often verging on pure sculpture. “Chairs can be free enough to be pure sculpture,” she says. “Each curve, each leg, each bend of a back, each strut—there are so many opportunities for art.”
The Hudson Shop
Wilbur opened her physical shop on Warren Street in September 2023, a significant milestone for her self-funded business. The shop is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind pieces, many of which are not listed on her website. Due to the sheer volume of inventory and the demands of running the business solo, Wilbur often prioritizes sourcing over updating her online presence. However, she encourages customers to reach out directly to inquire about specific items or styles they’re seeking.
Memorable Finds and Sales
Wilbur’s passion for antiques is evident in the way she speaks about her finds. She recalls a make-do captain’s chair with charming “get-up handles” and a spindle-back chair that looks like a Windsor and a folk art sculpture had a love child during the Salem witch trials. She’s also developed a fondness for fringe and patchwork, seeing beauty in the way pieces are proudly pieced together from disparate parts.
One of her most memorable discoveries was a hall chair that introduced her to the art of pyrography—decorating wood by burning it. She also sold a pair of Charles Dudouyt chairs with cubist wood carving on the seat backs, a piece she still thinks about often.
Looking Ahead
In five years, Wilbur hopes to sustain her life and business through Freaks’. She acknowledges the challenges of making a living in the antiques trade without significant independent wealth or generational backing but remains optimistic and driven. She is also beginning to design her own pieces, inspired by the art and craftsmanship she encounters in her daily work.
Wilbur’s shop is intentionally cozy and dimly lit, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A dealer friend once advised her to “step into the light,” a phrase that resonated deeply with her. As she looks to the future, she hopes to fully embrace this advice, stepping into the light in both her business and personal life. “What that means exactly will surely change over time,” she says, “but I’m here and excited for all of it.”
Conclusion
Kenzi Wilbur’s journey into the antiques trade is a testament to the power of self-discovery, creativity, and the enduring allure of the past. Through Freaks’, she has created a space that celebrates the unique, the unusual, and the beautifully imperfect. Her story is a reminder that antiques are not just objects—they are reflections of our history, our identity, and our humanity. As she continues to grow and evolve, Wilbur’s passion for the trade and her commitment to honoring the past while forging her own path will undoubtedly inspire others to see the beauty in the old and the unconventional.
[Editor’s note: Freaks’ is located at 339 Warren Street, open noon-5 pm, Thursday-Sunday, or at Door 15 at The Antiques Warehouse, at 99 South Third Street in Hudson. To reach Kenzi, call 860-617-8278, email [email protected], visit www.freaksny.com, or follow her on Instagram: @freaksny.]
