We’re Kate and Alyssa! We’re a wife-and-wife team who love a good “before and after.” We’re less about restoring furniture to what it was, and more about turning it into what it could be.
Our style leans modern, clean, and refreshed—taking pieces that feel dated and making them feel at home again.
Formerly Known is a small-batch furniture studio based in Frankfort, Kentucky. We seek out pieces with good bones and give them a fresh start—modernizing and reimagining them for today’s homes.
Each piece is thoughtfully updated by hand. No two items are ever the same, and once they're gone, they're gone.
Before
Every piece starts at an estate sale, thrift store, or roadside. We look for quality construction and potential — not perfection.
Stripping, sanding, staining, painting — whatever the piece needs, done by hand. We preserve original character wherever possible.
Each piece is photographed, described, and priced fairly. We document its origins and what was done — full transparency.
Local pickup or delivery available within the Central Kentucky area. We want every piece to land somewhere it'll be loved.
Interested in a specific piece, want to be notified of new arrivals, or have a custom restoration in mind? Send a note.