A Young Boy’s Quest to Relocate His Enchanted Love Alan Spiers
When we arrived at the Old Fairgrounds Building, I rushed in to see what everyone had been gushing about. As I wandered up and down the aisles looking at all the beautiful things, I was fascinated. I soon stumbled upon an antique steamer trunk covered in a wonderful crocodile skin. I just had to have it! I asked the man selling this magnificent find to please hold it and I promised to be back with my mom. After finding her, then pulling her to see the trunk, she told me I should look at everything and make sure this was the treasure for me. But, already convinced that the beautiful trunk was indeed for me, I continued to try to explain my mother how much I wanted it. However, she kept insisting that I continue to look at what else the event had to offer, so I did. As closing hours drew near, I ran back to view the trunk. I was horrified to see it adorned with a huge red SOLD tag. I don’t think I have ever been so disappointed. I immediately sought my mom to tell her the terrible news. She told me she was very sorry and added that the purchase must not have been meant to be. I was near tears as we left the fairgrounds. I thought about that trunk for weeks until one cold February morning, I awoke to find it at the foot of my bed. What a great birthday surprise! Right then and there, a collector was born. To this day, I store blankets in that trunk. Every year as the weather cools, when I reach into the trunk and grab a blanket, I am reminded of acquiring my very first antique.  Today, I am the founder of De Madera Alan Wood Interiors based in Hattiesburg, Miss. De Madera is a full-service interior design studio with a broad inventory of unique furnishings such as handcrafted, solid mahogany and custom-designed teak and rosewood pieces.
Visitors of De Madera often find antiques from the far corners of the world as well as handcrafted pieces imported from Java and Bali. On any given day, one can find bench-made furniture from North Carolina and Georgia as well as tables created from antique architectural elements made right here in Mississippi. Currently in the store, there’s a 319- year-old, 17th century coffer. Can you imagine the stories it could tell? However, even after years of searching the world for the greatest antiques, I still revere my first. It is my belief that being around “old” things make us appreciate where we come from and how we got here. I never liked history classes in school, but I have found another way to treasure the past. About Interior Designer Alan Spiers
An allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Mississippi native Alan Wood Spiers has studied architecture and design internationally for 20 years. The University of Mississippi graduate holds degrees in interior design and art history.
Alan said, “We create custom pieces in seven stains and 15 paint colors that are hand-rubbed to a beautifully distressed finished. We search the world to find the best sources for stylish furniture of the highest quality that clearly defines De Madera. We offer seventeenth- and eighteenth-century antiques selected for their exceptional character and investment potential. We have several upholstery lines allowing unlimited options. Whether you prefer contemporary or classical styles, we can design the perfect sofa from over 600 fabric and leather selections.”  Alan attributes much of his success to his parents who instilled a love of beautiful things, some of which he recalled made his family’s home feel extremely special. “I am fulfilling my true passion,” he said, “and working with other talented people allows me to freely express my creativity.”
For more on Alan’s great finds, contact De Madera Alan Wood Interiors at 601.264.8880 or drop by the studio, which is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., on 6555 Highway 98 West in Suite 4 of the Newpointe Shopping Center. This interview obtained by chinika.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Chinika, LLC .
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