Our Story

Celebrating 20 Years of Farmhouse Magic:
A Personal Journey with Piper Classics

Sisters taking wagon rides in the driveway…

Warm greetings from our online farmhouse home decor store! We’re thrilled to have you with us on a journey close to our hearts—a journey that celebrates the cozy comforts and timeless appeal of farmhouse living. Our story began with a deep love for the simple joys of rural life, and we’re excited to share this passion with kindred spirits like you.

A Farmhouse Legacy:
Appreciating country life isn’t something that happens in childhood. It’s a realization that blooms later, casting a warm glow over those cherished early years. Brenda and I grew up on the outskirts of Doylestown, PA, in a house nestled near a meadow, a farmer’s field, and a wooded hillside. It was here that we first fell in love with country life.

Mom did a lot of sewing and often made us matching outfits!

Summers were pure joy. School-free days meant venturing into the woods, crafting secret forts, and watching clouds while lying on the grass. Afternoons were for thrilling bike rides down hilly roads, pigtails flying in the breeze. Our homemade tree swing, lifting us so high that branches grazed our feet, was just one of many summer adventures with fireflies, kittens, and meadow walks to pick bluebells and Queen Anne’s lace.

In the fall, we raked leaves and jumped in the piles. Our neighbor often purchased a wagon full of apples and we’d help make cider with his rustic antique apple press. Winters brought sledding and ice-skating at a local pond, sometimes with a thermos of hot chocolate. Some years, we tapped our Maple trees for homemade syrup. Sundays included church and a home-cooked dinner with family or friends. Dad occasionally treated us to a Sunday drive in our dune buggy along Bucks County’s backroads.

Amid Saturday morning chores, gardening was a constant, cultivating beans, zucchini, blueberries, and tomatoes. Flowerbeds found attention, lawns were mowed, and preserving the harvest was an art in itself—applesauce, peaches, tomatoes, green beans, beets, and corn filling our pantry shelves.

Chittick family farm where we played as children and visited our grandparents.

Our father’s upbringing on a working farm colored our childhood. Our grandfather’s acres of sweet corn, harvested with shared enthusiasm, left indelible imprints. Corn fritters and memories of picnics on the farmhouse lawn still fill our hearts. These cherished memories are the threads that weave through Piper Classics, infusing our farmhouse-inspired collection with the essence of love, nostalgia, and the simple beauty of country living.

A Journey Through Time:
Our grandparents’ fascination with antiques led to a cherished family heritage. They were avid collectors of antique furniture, glassware, ironstone, and more. This passion passed on to our father, who in 1977 took a step that would set our story in motion. He decided to open a used furniture and antique shop in Pipersville, Pa, naming it Piper Second Hand. For my sister and me, this was an exciting time. We fondly remember rummaging through the house-lot items our dad hauled back to the store, early morning flea market excursions, and the dinner table filled with Dad’s amusing tales of his interactions with antique dealers and captivating customers. It was during these moments that our appreciation for antiques and the stories they tell truly began to blossom.

Mom and Dad

Growing Together:
As we entered our teenage years, my sister and I became more involved in the store’s operations. The business was evolving, expanding beyond antiques to include reproduction furniture and country home decor. It was a true family effort, with our mom working alongside us, turning Piper Second Hand into a genuine family business. Soon enough, we were right there with our dad, loading furniture, creating displays, and assisting customers. Those early experiences laid the foundation for our deep understanding of quality, customer care, and the unique charm that country home decor brings to life.

Brenda and Janine in the 1980’s at Piper Classics

Becoming Piper Classics:
The evolution continued as our store transformed into Piper Classics. We bid farewell to used furniture and antiques and our focus shifted to country reproduction furniture, collectibles, and the rustic charm of country primitive decorating items. This transition reflected our journey—embracing the past while celebrating the timeless allure of country and farmhouse aesthetics. 

From Country Roads to Your Screens:
In 2003, as online shopping gained momentum, we embarked on a new chapter. Guided by nostalgia and a deep commitment to quality, we opened our digital doors, bringing the warmth of farmhouse decor to homes across the nation and beyond. Recognizing the yearning for tactile connection in this digital age, we also ventured into producing print catalogs several times a year, offering you the joy of flipping through the pages and immersing yourself in the timeless allure of Piper Classics.

Designing Our Own Farmhouse Fabrics:
In 2017, recognizing a growing need for farmhouse bedding and curtains, we embarked on a creative endeavor to enhance your farmhouse decor experience and began designing our own fabric collections. Quickly, we expanded to offer a full line of choices for farmhouse bedrooms and windows, table linens, pillow covers, chair pads, and more.

One of our most beloved collections, Market Place, made its debut in 2018 and has since captured the hearts of our valued customers. Available in three delightful colors, this collection has become a cherished staple in many farmhouse-inspired homes.

This exciting addition allows us to bring you exclusive, high-quality fabrics that perfectly complement the Piper Classics aesthetic, ensuring that your farmhouse decor is truly unique and tailored to your style.

Janine & Brenda, Sisters

Honoring Yesterday, Embracing Tomorrow:
As we celebrate our 20-year milestone as an online store, we’re honored to have you join us in this celebration of heritage, family, and the magic of farmhouse living. From the rural roads that inspired us to the screens that now connect us, our journey is etched with memories and shared dreams. Thank you for being a part of our story.

Blessings,

Janine & Brenda

 
 

 

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