In the historic town of Stone Ridge, NY, on a quiet two-way thoroughfare, sits a grand white house, a Greek revival with fluted columns and an elegant presence.

Once the home of Dr. Hasbrouck, a venerable old name in these parts, it is now the latest incarnation among a series of extraordinary houses belonging to master purveyor of antiquities, Ron Sharkey. Situated behind the house is the white barn and garden shed which hold a distinctive antique inventory.

Maple Lawn is a destination and experience that satisfies on many levels. The antiques are not fussy, pretty, precious, parlor pieces, dark or brooding, commanding of high prices. Rather, they are country pieces, farm pieces, home pieces that speak of classic and simple designs made in a time of pride of craftsmanship and meant to last, at reasonable prices.

Of worn-out white and neutral tones, the mostly wooden furniture of cupboards, tables and chairs are accompanied by ongoing capsule collections of sturdy ironstone China, linens, textiles both vintage and new, garden architecture, basketry, boxes, barrels and basins, vases, zinc vessels, artfully wrought ironwork, etc. … all carefully curated by an antiques-dealer extraordinaire.

Shapes and silhouettes with history’s patina like so many spirits that once had lives in this Hudson Valley now keep company in an alluring “waiting room” before moving on…

Such is Ron Sharkey’s world.

And though you may not crave antiques for antiques’ sake, you may appreciate the local history preserved, or the fine craftsmanship of “made-by-hand,” or simply the charm of a thing.

To stand in his barn brings a sense of a movie set of another time and place. Consider the high ceilings and open rafters, the reclaimed and repositioned doors and windows of many glass panes, and the individually chosen bricks lining a floor that is the stuff of a country storybook.

Reclaim and respect, and Ron always has.

History

Born and raised in New Jersey, Ron holds degrees from LIU and Pratt Institute and has lived and worked in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

During college summers and after graduation he found steady employment in restaurants and catering and then antiques and decor at numerous popular antique markets and shows. When he began teaching art and ESL (English as a second language) around 1987, he had summers off to search Cape Cod for estate, flea market, and yard sales.

By this time, the antique “bug” had firmly bitten and he was well on an odyssey of discovery.

Visiting friends in Kerhonkson in the 1980s/90s was his discovery of the Hudson Valley. It was kismet that he would find his first home here.

The Home & Shops

First there was the River House, in Accord, from 1995 to 2016. It was featured in the World of Interiors in 2016 for its delightful rooms and decor.

Next was “Downtown Main Street,” also in Accord, from 2006 to 2015.

Then he had “Field and Barn,” in High Falls, from 2007 to 2019. Also known as the “Black Barn,” it was a brilliant restoration that became home and gave room to pop-ups for various dealers and artisans, indoors and on the field.

After selling the barn, he sought brief pop-up stints at the old Mercantile Building and FRED in High Falls.

And now, Maple Lawn. It officially opened in September of 2021 on Saturdays and Sundays and by appointment. This 1890s carriage barn hosted a recent sell-out exhibit of contemporary art. It remains to be seen what continuing delights are in store.

While the Christmas holiday may be over in the U.S. it is to be noted that in the Old World, the season lasts through to January 6, the Epiphany, AKA, the Gift of the Magis.

Speaking of gifts, the antique/decor resource and festival mood is year-round at Maple Lawn.

For more information on Ron Sharkey, proprietor of Maple Lawn Antiques, in Accord, visit ml1843.com.