Friends of Flora: In Conversation with Emily Hyatt

Emily was practically born in an antiques market — it’s in her genes. Her mother, and her mother before her both shared the same reverence for beautiful, timeworn objects. You feel it the moment you step into her shop, Trove, and in the homes and spaces she designs. There’s a deep care in the way each piece is sought out, placed, and loved — as if she is simply the custodian of these treasures for a moment, before they find their next forever home.

Emily and I met over Instagram (as one does these days), and I soon found myself visiting her shop to talk about how we might bring her antiques together with my vintage pieces.

The first thing I noticed was the calm, grounding presence Emily carries — an energy that immediately puts you at ease. You feel it throughout her beautiful shop and see it reflected in her interior design work.

Along the way, we discovered another shared love — horses — a common bond that always deepens a connection.    From there, we set out on a journey to bring art, antiques, and clothing together for an evening — and the rest is history.

Can you tell me a little bit about your path and how it led you to opening Trove and starting your own interior design business?

Honestly, I think at first I wanted nothing to do with the antique and design business. Growing up so entwined with it, I spent a period of time thinking I wanted to surround myself with the opposite of everything I knew. But it crept back - the deep appreciation for quality, time worn pieces with a story to them. I worked in retail since I was a teenager - starting at Abercrombie, and working my way up to Stuart Weitzman and Gucci. I then started working for a saddlery bringing my retail experience and love of horses together. But I have always been collecting, working on my own space, and friends' spaces. Through a serendipitous interaction I came upon a space that I could call my own as my garage was bursting at the seams and I decided to go for it and opened Trove on November 1st of 2024. Since then I have been fortunate enough to meet some amazing clients, and have been able to shift the business into more of an interior design focus. It has been beyond amazing to have people trust me with their homes, and to see our shared visions come to life.

What is a core memory you have, from being in the antiques world with your family from such a young age?

I can so clearly remember setting up my own “booth” (a small table just outside of my mothers booth) at probably 6 or 7 at the Farmington antiques show where I would sell my sets of salt and pepper shakers. 

Where or who do you look for inspiration?

Everywhere! I find inspiration traveling, looking back at old design books and magazines, of course through instagram, and following along with some of the current greats. Honestly I may see a color combination in someone's outfit that triggers an idea. Inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to it.

Tell me about one of your favorite antique finds!

There is a portrait that I bought recently from another dealer that I know who shops a lot in the UK and France. It’s of a very stately French gentleman, who looks a little grumpy - but he is pictured with his dog's head laying gently in his lap. Something about it just makes me smile every time I look at it. I love portraiture, as it is so personal - and really gives you a window into the past.

Is there a place in the world that is your favorite to hunt for treasure?

I mean Brimfield is always an adventure - it’s endless, and you never know what you’ll find on those fields.

From your travels in the world, what are some memorable scents, sounds, sights and feelings that stay with you?

One of my favorite travel memories is being in the Lincoln Cathedral in England - it’s an amazingly beautiful building (and town) but as I stepped in and saw the  head stones on the ground dating back to the 13th c. a feeling took over - immediately the choir started singing what I can only describe as the most angelic sounds I’ve ever heard - and there was a weight to the moment, and the place with hundreds of years of history behind it. I think of that day often.

Do you have a piece of clothing that holds memory or is sentimental to you and why? 

I still have my favorite jeans from high school. They are thread bare, covered in patches, hand embroidery, and holes. I’ll never wear them again - but I can’t bear to part with them.

In a world that sometimes sees beauty as superficial, what does beauty mean to you?

To me beauty is a feeling. I of course love and search for beautiful things, but it's more of the feeling that that item brings me. There are a few things in my house that just bring me so much joy - it’s so important to surround yourself with items that incite a feeling in you rather than following a trend, or going by what is seen as a standard by the general public.

You can find Emily’s beautiful antique shop,Trove, in Croton Falls, NY as well as on instagram at @trovedesignstudios and online at www.trovedesignstudios.com

Emily is also featured in the Flora Vintage Autumn Winter 2025 Collection of embroidered french workwear.

In these photographs, Emily wears three looks:

-Sequined black and blue evening dress from the 1980's

-Cashmere Paul Stewart pin striped sport coat, wide wale Giorgio Armani single pleat corduroys and a Lee window pane plaid button down shirt

-1960's short sleeve brooks brothers oxford paired with wool 1940's sailor pants with silk lined pockets (that Emily now owns)

all styles can be found on www.floravintage,co

Styled and shot by Brooke Savona in Emily’s shop, Trove.