Talk Shop: Audrey Gelman // The Six Bells
ABOUT AUDREY
You may recognize Audrey Gelman’s name for a number of reasons: from her political career (as one of the youngest political spokespeople in NY state history), to co-founding The Wing, an international women’s co-working space that changed the conversation about women in the workforce in so many ways.
Now at the helm of The Six Bells, a country-inspired retail and e-commerce company located in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, Audrey has cultivated a gorgeous array of handcrafted and heirloom pieces, all with the thread of country chic running through its veins.
Audrey ‘s inspiration for The Six Bells came naturally: a decades-long fascination with English mystery novels inspired the store’s own brand of folklore, a fictional country village of Barrow’s Green (it even has its own town paper and shoppable homes from its cast of characters.)
The Six Bells is full of character, pulling inspiration from all that the country aesthetic has to offer, from antiques to artisans and upstate purveyors galore. We sat down with Audrey to chat about all things design, business and more – we hope you enjoy her Talk Shop interview!
Describe your style in three words or less:
New old country.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Lee Radziwell, The Vermont Country Store, and The 21 Club.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started The Six Bells almost one year ago. We opened a small shop in Brooklyn and an e-commerce site. My favorite thing about it is the hunt and curation that goes into developing the product mix. The brands we work with are small and independent, and come from the French countryside to Dorset, England, to Tripoli. The rest are antiques that I hand-sourced from across the country.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Before The Six Bells, I worked in politics on campaigns, and I was lucky to have a number of bosses who became close friends and mentors. During my time running The Wing, Tina Brown was someone I admired who was a mentor to me professionally.
What does your home say about you:
It’s definitely clear that I’m a “picker” as they say in the antique world.
Where do you find inspiration:
Magazines like House & Garden UK, World of Interiors, and Pinterest.
Who are your style icons:
Olsen twins and Katherine Hepburn.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Steak and non-alcoholic beer.
Do you collect anything:
Spongeware.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@tat.london, @louiseroehome, @collagerie.
What are you working on right now (personally and/or professionally):
Enjoying a new experience of a smaller business that I can pour my heart into, and grow at my own pace.
Wardrobe staples:
Blazers and riding pants from The Row, Tods loafers, and since COVID sweatpants from Lou + Grey (extremely soft)
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Lucie Wallace textiles and wallpaper
Best interior advice you ever received:
Never buy white furniture if you have or are planning to have furniture
Best career advice you ever received:
First in, last out
Your greatest extravagance:
Peter Lugar’s steak
Favorite places to shop for home:
The Six Bells (I’m biased), Cutter Brooks, Soho Home, Etsy
Most prized possession and why:
Cartier Tank Américaine which is the skinniest of Tanks and very rare.
Your interiors motto:
“The bigger the pile, the bigger the smile”
Your life motto:
YOLO
Advice for someone looking to pivot careers into the lifestyle space:
There are so many amazing examples, most notable for me, THE Ariel Okin who like me, went from a career in politics to creating an incredible interior design business.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Steak at Peter Lugar’s
Drink: Shirley Temple with extra cherries
Film: Metropolitan
Hotel: Stanglwirt in Tyrol, Austria
City: London
Bedding: Bliss and Mischief, for sale at The Six Bells
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with half and half
Playlist: Mets Podcasts like We Gotta Believe
Weekend Activity: Mets games
Design Book: Miranda June’s Country Home Book