MONEY

Indonesia, love create Rehoboth furniture store

Hannah Carroll
hcarroll2@dmg.gannett.com
Taber and Nadia Bartoshesky, owners of Hunt & Lane, smile with their one-year-old daughter Sophie. The young family travels to Indonesia each year to find unique pieces for their growing furniture store.

It was the waves that brought Taber Hunt Bartoshesky to Indonesia, but it was the culture's craftsmanship that captured his heart.

Moved to action, he headed deep into the jungle of Java to discover where local furniture was made. He arrived in a village full of carpenters creating unique pieces from the island's teak and mahogany woods. His short surfing trip quickly turned into a six-month stay, as he worked alongside the locals, learning their ancient trade.

When he ventured home, Bartoshesky brought with him a shipping container full of furniture, and began selling the one-of-a-kind pieces out of his parent's garage. As the side gig grew, he recruited friend and fellow surfer John Lane to help.

The two launched Hunt & Lane in 2014, operating out of a warehouse in Salisbury by appointment only. They found themselves traveling back and forth to Indonesia, to surf and scour the island for pieces to refurbish for their customers back home, from chairs and end tables to bookshelves and benches.

But irreplaceable furniture wasn't the only thing to come to America.

Nadia, an Indonesian beauty Bartoshesky met while surfing, followed.

"He asked and I couldn't say no," she said, smiling. "I was attracted to his energy and his passion — we fell in love pretty quickly. I loved that he adored my culture and the craftsmanship of my people."

Of course, it helped that Nadia's father was also a carpenter, who spent his life pursuing construction projects around the world.

"My father built our houses with his own hands," she said. "Exotic woods, nails, hammers ... they're all in my blood. And Taber gets it. That was also really attractive to me. He shared the passion. And it's probably what allowed my family to let me go with him to live in another part of the world. They adore him."

It's been five years since Bartoshesky first visited Indonesia.

Taber and Nadia, now married, have since bought out Lane, allowing him to pursue other interests while they continue to expand the brand. Most recently, the couple opened a Hunt & Lane storefront in Rehoboth Beach to showcase their growing collection.

The gallery highlights handmade teak furniture, hand-woven textiles and authentic island décor, she said.

Each year, the couple returns to the jungles of Bali and Java in search of quality pieces to bring overseas, items like a tiki bar created from old Javanese fishing boats and a cushioned bench built from old railroad tracks. Vibrant, tropical and inviting, the storefront immerses customers into the Indonesian culture. And each item, she added, is made from repurposed and reclaimed materials.

"We aren't chopping down any new trees," she said, motioning to a table made out of a 19th century farm wheel. "Each one has a story. Each one is unique and beautiful in its own way. We like to think we are breathing new life into something that no one else was going to give a second chance to."

Along with the furniture, Hunt & Lane sells one-of-a-kind artwork, accent pieces, textured lamps, wood carvings and tableware.

The couple hopes to eventually expand their, "top-shelf furniture," brand up and down the East Coast, and perhaps, even nationwide. They plan to visit Indonesia, with their 1-year-old daughter, this winter and return with fresh pieces to further develop their inventory.

As they settle into their first summer as new store owners, and their second year of marriage, the Bartosheskys are confident they made the right decision in following their hearts.

"We live a beautiful life," she said. "It's fun and full of adventure. Of course, some days are harder than others, but we always meet somewhere in the middle. Taber and I are the perfect team, and I know we have a happy life ahead of us."

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Hunt & Lane

Where: 33 Wilmington Ave, Rehoboth Beach

When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Call: 443-614-3174

Visit: huntandlane.com