Meet owners Kristin and Sterling Chambless and visit their warehouse
Kristin and Sterling Chambless (inset) debuted a by-appointment warehouse in North Charleston for their growing antiques business, Found, earlier this year with hopes of eventually opening a showroom.
By the time Kristin and Sterling Chambless opened the doors to their new warehouse in North Charleston this January, their antiques business, Found, had already outgrown its origin story.
The couple launched Found in February 2024 with a simple yet resonant name that speaks to their ethos: sourcing storied furniture, artwork, and decorative pieces that deserve a second life. “Everything we sell has been found—rescued, curated, and reimagined in someone else’s home,” Kristin explains. Their collections, which skew toward English and French antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries, have become a favorite among designers and collectors for their old-world sensibility and enduring character.
But Found didn’t begin with container shipments or international sourcing trips. In its earliest form, the business existed as booth spaces in local antiques malls—a traditional model that quickly proved limiting. “I wanted to tell the story behind each piece, to connect with customers,” Kristin says. Her background in social media (she’s also a lifestyle influencer with a devoted following) became a critical asset. Through Instagram, interest exploded. “People across the country started asking if we shipped. At first, we said, ‘no.’ Two weeks later, we said, ‘yes.’”
Kristin and Sterling Chambless source storied furniture, artwork, and decorative items that deserve a second life for their growing antiques business, Found.
With demand mounting, Found opened a second-story space on Church Street. But moving European antiques through tight stairwells and navigating downtown parking wasn’t sustainable. The couple relocated in January to a more accessible warehouse on Dorchester Road in North Charleston. There’s no showroom yet, but private appointments and designer previews allow clients to explore the collection.
Every piece is hand-selected—many during trips to England, with hopes to expand to France and other European countries. Kristin gravitates toward English craftsmanship: turned legs, carved pedestals, and rich walnut and mahogany woods. “There’s a quiet beauty in the simplicity,” she says. “It’s classic and timeless.”
While about 30 percent of their clientele are interior designers, the majority are passionate collectors and homeowners. Some shop virtually; others fly in from out of state to see a piece in person. “One client bought a French walnut entry table in real time while I was at a market in England,” Kristin recalls.
For now, the couple is focused on growing their team, expanding their import channels, and fine-tuning logistics. Their dream? A showroom attached to the warehouse. Charleston will remain the home base. “With two young kids, we’re happy to stay local,” Kristin says. “There’s still so much room to grow here.”
By the Numbers
■ 1: Year in business
■ 3: Employees running the company
■ 24,000: Square footage of warehouse
■ Thousands: Antiques sold since launch
■ 12,200: Followers on Instagram @shoppefound
