Mixed Company, a one-of-a-kind art, furniture and décor salon in the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City, was founded in 1999 by designer, antique hunter and personal shopper, Bernadette Lawler. Inspired by the power of a well-designed space to transcend time or transform a mood, Mixed Company pays homage to the good life abroad, where an espresso or dinner party can last until dawn through the fine art of conversation and pleasant mixed company.

Located at 60 N. 3rd Street, a historical landmark in the heart of gallery row, Mixed Company’s 630 square foot space is a masterful study in mis-en-scene, transporting visitors from contemporary décor delights to fondly-recalled memories and well-preserved scenes of generations past. A dynamic exhibit of culture’s influence on entertaining and décor, Mixed Company boasts an eclectic mix of items old and new, treasures handmade and mass-produced, work by emerging and established artists and accouterments from cosmopolitan cities like Paris, London, New York – and from distances as far away as China and Africa.

Conceived with an artist’s eye for composition and detail, Mixed Company presents visitors with a peek into society’s social life and the people, art and furnishings that remain current in fashion’s fickle eye. The space combines several vignettes, from a 1930’s Oriental parlor reminiscent of Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, to an early ‘70’s era orange “Laugh-In flower” dinette with its original vinyl chair family. Then there’s Casablanca’s harem of etched-leather Moroccan drop lighting, hand-painted planters and pottery, and tributes to the Riviera’s endless outdoor cafes with Cinzano and Perrier cocktail ephemera. Jardinerie “pulled from the pages of Architectural Digest” includes Mediterranean tile topped tables and fanciful iron garden chairs. And larger pieces like loveseats, occasional chairs and elegant chaise lounges, are placed with sophisticated marble top cocktail tables, or for a more studious look, they keep company with a mid-century secretary displaying mint condition, out-of-print books with humorously outdated values and themes.

Some think of Mixed Company as their own private living room, others see it as a design atelier, admiring the museum-quality mix of paintings, photography and accouterments that occupy the space. With a nod to Philly’s nationally-recognized pop artists, the gallery is curated with inventory that moves constantly. Keeping company with Jenny Moore’s top-selling Pin-up Art and Jeff Schaller’s encaustic paintings, are oils by Gary Bernard, vibrant Pop Art by John Pompetti, Kass Mencher’s kitsch photography, mosaic mirrors, sculptures, glass art and hand painted tiles with Japanese themes.

Through its diverse array of surprisingly affordable offerings, Mixed Company emits a constant theme that style, risk and passion are the foundation of creative, personalized surroundings. Also unique to Mixed Company are the effusive, creative personalities of Bernadette and her staff, which harmonized against the intriguing mix of music that reverberates through the shop, elevates one’s mood and curiosity. “I create environments that are surprising, fresh and able to evolve over time,” Bernadette explains. “When my clients are wowed as they browse my gallery, then I know Mixed Company is a success.”

An inspiration to internationally renowned designers and a welcome retreat to passers-by, tourists, frequent visitors, Mixed Company’s clients are as diverse as its ever-changing inventory. A must-stop on First Fridays, there are often lines to get in to her space. With such a large and loyal clientele, it seems that Bernadette Lawler has mastered the art of Mixed Company.