Chapter 1: In 2014, Meg Kimball created MAK Home, a furniture rental and home staging company, located in the suburbs of Boston, MA. After graduating from college, her eldest son, Sam Kimball, came to work for the company, and quickly, the business morphed into a hip home furnishings brand. They deserted the home staging part of the business, rebranded themselves to be called Modern Relik, and transformed the warehouse into a funky store which became a popular haunt for interior designers and those “in the know”, featuring fun music vibes and some great parties. The location for such a concept, however, wasn’t ideal, and plans were made to open a more sophisticated version of the concept in the city of Boston, MA.

Chapter 2: In 2019, a proper Modern Relik was founded in the South End of Boston’s fashionable SOWA arts and fashion district. A gorgeous store/showroom was opened, complete with a café, a flower shop, and a bookstore all housed within the 6,000 sq. ft. space. The store was completely different from anything Boston had ever seen and made quite a splash, awarded Best Furniture Store in Boston, MA by Boston Magazine in its first year.

For the showroom, the idea was to create an emporium full of beautiful objects and furniture – a place where all the senses could be indulged, and a sense of discovery was promoted. Furnishings were curated from around the world, featuring notable artisans and makers known as the best in their craft.

For Mod Espresso, the brilliantly talented restaurateur, Michela Larson, was tapped to create a small eatery in the front of the store. The menu consists of French baked goods and teas, coffees from around the world, delicious salads and sandwiches, and lite bites. Mod Espresso is a busy little café where customers like to enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, or as a gathering place to hang out or conduct a small, informal business meeting.

Chapter 3: In 2021, the prestigious Boston Harbor Hotel, a seven-star hotel located on Boston’s waterfront, approached Meg Kimball to curate a store unique to their establishment. The existing gift shop was enlarged and completely redesigned to accommodate a gorgeous new boutique concept that showcases Modern Relik products and reflects the hotel’s brand for a luxury lifestyle. Home at Rowes Wharf, by Modern Relik, is one of Boston’s premier gift shops and a unique hospitality concept that acts as an extension of the hotel’s exceptional brand identity. This year, Modern Relik was awarded by Modern Luxury Interiors magazine for the category of Best of Luxury Design, giving the brand national distinction.

The signature look of Modern Relik is defined by its name – the love for the contemporary mixed with a dash of the classical – the magical blend of the old and the new. By moving between different time periods and mixing genres, something beautiful is formed. A contemporary space is given patina and heritage, relaxing the stringent and often harsh lines of modern furniture with a more comfortably worn look. Similarly, classic spaces are given new life with the addition of modern pieces and perhaps even startingly out of place objects that bring a freshness and even an eclectic and theatrical atmosphere to a space.

Above all else, quality, and exemplary craftsmanship is at the forefront of our minds when curating beautiful objects and furnishings for the home. We seek out artisans and designers from around the globe, known to be the best in their selected craft for artistry and craftsmanship. The “buy nice or buy twice” philosophy is upheld whereby quality is emphasized and will always withstand the test of time.

Modern Relik aligns itself with makers who best represent both modernity and classicism in their creations and attitudes. The moods created by these artisans come together to show us that the movement between minimalism and opulence creates timeless spaces infused with modernity for the next century.