Tony's Journeys / Europe
I was buying Egyptian pieces from other importers here domestically, and they were selling. That’s my pattern: anytime I have success with something from another country, eventually my goal is to go source it directly. And who doesn’t want to go to Egypt a couple times a year to go picking? The metal work is very old world, very crafty. A lot of hand riveting, bending, welding from artisans 150 years ago. I’m not buying newly made — I’m finding old pieces with history.
NOT furniture ("a little ornate for my demographic"). Focus on:
Incredible old doors — the main focus of the first container. 200-year-old doors that people see and say “I have to have that.”
Old iron and architectural gates with hand-riveted metalwork.
Including new production from a manufacturer Tony found.
Cool iron light fixtures
Parts of old buildings with stories.
“I went to the pyramids — of course you have to if you’re there. I walked into two different pyramids. When you’re inside, it’s very eerie. It feels like there’s no air. And to think they built those 3,500 to 4,000 years ago without a machine. The rocks are bigger than your car. How did they get them up there? It’s unfathomable. Incredible to see once. Probably enough.”
We just started sourcing in Egypt in 2025. The first container hasn’t shipped yet, but we’re excited about everything that’s coming over the next few years. Finding things from another culture that are relevant in our culture — you take a 200-year-old door from Egypt, bring it to America, and people are like “I have to have that.” That’s the magic.
