Where Vintage Household Items Gain New Life As Trendy Home Decor
By: Jeanie Mayer
For those seeking unique home décor and specialty gifts, look no further than Hampshire’s very own Vintage Hammer. Owned by Christine Klein and her husband, Boom Blakz, the Vintage Hammer opened its doors on State Street in 2017 before moving to its current location on Washington Avenue in February 2020.
Christine said the idea for vintage designs began with her and Boom’s efforts to remodel and decorate their home. When other people saw their work, they wanted items for themselves and the business was born.
“People have gravitated to the style and that has motivated her and me to do more,” Boom said.
Christine said they are both creative types who like to figure out how to repurpose old items. And while Boom had never used a power tool before moving to Hampshire, he has learned the craft well and does all the construction and building of the designs. Christine is the finisher applying paint and the final design touches to each piece.
“It is a true 50/50 partnership. We are both creative and we both come up with the ideas for repurposing vintage items,” she said.
Christine said she gets many ideas from inspirations, often in the middle of the night. Boom said he likes to work from a sketch after he talks to a customer about what they want to create.
Some of their more unique ideas include tables made from vintage ladders; ammunition boxes repurposed into desks, tables and shelves; and coffee tables made from rail carts. Boom said he once designed a desk using two large milk jugs as the base. The ideas are as creative as they are beautiful.
Christine has been a resident of Hampshire since moving to the village as a second grader in 1977. She graduated from Hampshire High before attending college at Augustana. She then began building her real estate career alongside her mother, Lynn Klein, at Century-21 New Heritage.
At age 40, Christine sought a change and moved to Jamaica where she continued to sell real estate, and even appeared on an episode of HGTV’s Caribbean Life. She met and married Boom, who lived in Negril, Westmorland and worked as a DJ since he was 14years old. After 5 years of living in Jamaica, Christine moved back to Hampshire and Boom joined her with his son, Shamar, in 2016. Their work designing vintage goods began soon after.
The Vintage Hammer serves a wide range of customers who come from near and far for unique gift items and home décor. While the store deals in vintage items, Christine does not consider herself an expert on antiques.
“I’ve always been artsy-craftsy. I am a creator, not an antique dealer. I see something and I ask myself what I can make it into other than its intended purpose,” she said.
In addition to selling finished products, the Vintage Hammer offers classes taught by local artisans on topics like wreath-making, macrame, interior decorating and furniture painting. Customers can purchase a project piece to learn on or may bring in a piece from home to use in the classes. Christine said her clients come from all over to buy the special resin paint that she uses in her projects called Rethunk Junk by Laura.
The Vintage Hammer also acts as a wholesale buyer. They sell homemade products by local artisans such as soaps, skincare, elderberry syrup and honey. The shirts sold in the store are all Christine’s designs made by a local vendor.
“It’s always different stuff here at the Vintage Hammer. We make people’s ideas come to life,” Boom said.
About This Business
Name: The Vintage Hammer
Owners: Christine Klein & Boom Blakz
Address: 122 Washington Avenue, Hampshire
Phone: 847-489-2370
Website: www.thevintagehammer.com
Facebook.com/thevintagehammer