Golden Age Design owners Bill and Kara Kurth at their Robbinsdale storefront
by Jahna Peloquin (Photo by TJ Turner)
In the spring of 2015, two different stores with very similar names opened within one month of each other in the western suburbs of Minneapolis: the Golden Rule, which sells handmade goods from a collective of modern makers in Excelsior, and Golden Age Design, which specializes in meticulously restored, mid-century and Danish modern furniture in Robbinsdale.
Now, the two like-minded retailers are joining forces for a month-long Golden Age Design pop-up at the Golden Rule. A selection of Golden Age’s stylish furniture has taken up residency of the Excelsior boutique’s second floor, where the store’s owner Erin Kate Duininck and her team styled it alongside goods by Golden Rule’s makers, including artwork by Minneapolis artist Ashley Mary.
“I believe it was just the alignment of the stars,” explains Golden Age Design’s Bill Kurth. “Similar names, similar personalities, just all around good stuff. We absolutely love what Erin and company are doing at Golden Rule.”
Five years after setting up shop in a home garage, Golden Age Design opened its own storefront in April of 2015 inside a 125-year-old building located across the street from Travail Kitchen & Amusements in Robbinsdale. Founded by Kurth and his wife, Kara, the company began as something of a happy accident—the pair ended up with a garage full of furniture that didn’t work in their new home, so they decided to put it on Craigslist. The company quickly developed a cult following for its curated selection of mid-century and Danish-modern furnishings, all restored to mint condition by Bill and a small team of craftsmen.
“There are many similarities between us and the Golden Rule, but one that stands out the most is that both shops just have a strong desire for good clean design,” says Bill. “We love the thought of our pieces being surrounded by the amazing art and home goods at the Golden Rule. It all blends together beautifully.”
The Kurths carefully selected some statement-making pieces for the Golden Rule space, including a restored set of four Danish teak dining room chairs, a pair of ’60s-era Danish lounge chairs by Søren Ladefoged for SL Mobler reupholstered in a light gray Scandinavian wool covering, and a teak chest of drawers that the couple just brought back from Denmark.
“We wanted it to feel very minimal but not too thin,” he says. “The space was already so peaceful and serene so we just wanted to add what we could to help with that vibe. After staging and styling it, it felt like a little apartment in Denmark.”
Golden Age will continually be adding pieces though through the month of July, so check back frequently for a fresh selection.
On view through July 31 @ the Golden Rule, 350 Water St., Excelsior, 612-598-2098, goldenrulecollective.com. Visit the Golden Age Design’s storefront at 4157 W. Broadway Ave., Robbinsdale, 612-408-6896, facebook.com/goldenagedesign.
Here’s a preview of the pop-up and some of the pieces available: