Talking Shop

With a move to rural Pennsylvania, an antiques-loving teacher trades chalk dust for hay bales.

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The scent of woodsmoke from the first fires of fall and the honks of geese returning from their sojourns down south fill the air at Willowbrook Farm in Malvern, Pennsylvania. "September is one of my favorite times of year here," says Meg Veno, a former elementary schoolteacher who, along with her husband, Chris, and their five children, moved to the farm 16 years ago from a Philly suburb. "We searched for five years, and when we came across Willowbrook, I could instantly see the possibilities," says Meg. "The old stone bank barn was especially appealing; I imagined using it to start a business."

Meg's love of vintage and design comes from her parents"Dad was always loading up our Wagoneer with finds," she says and she had the idea for a pop-up sale that would offer new goods, architectural salvage, and treasures found at antiques fairs and flea markets along the East Coast.

Following a two-year reno, Meg hosted her first barn sale in 2011 and her business, Life's Patina, took off. Willowbrook now hosts pop-up days, as well as four seasonally inspired sales a year, with the next running September 23-25 (follow along @lifes.patina). While they browse, visitors can sample food and beverages from local makers and enjoy live acoustic music. "The farm has been a great gathering spot for our family," Meg says. "We love sharing it and, with each event, we get to add another layer to its story."