About Inessa

Inessa was born in the port city of Odessa, nestled on the north coast of the Black Sea. The city blossomed under the reign of Catherine the Great, who introduced the influence and architecture of the great cities of Europe, providing an ideal classical background for the milieu of cultures that mingled on the shores of that great sea.

Surrounded by this vast diversity of history, Inessa grew to possess an enourmous appreciation for art, design and music. Encourage by her parents and grandparents, she was continually exposed to a marvelous variety of language and culture early on.

At a young age she was among the fortunate few who were able to move to the United States, where she was able to continue to explore her fascinations with art and history while refining her tastes in antiques. Inspired by her early education and environment, plus drawing on her European roots, Inessa decided to embark on a career that would continue to allow her to explore her passion.

Founding Inessa Stewart's Antiques & Interiors in 1991, she quickly grew her business from a small gallery to perhaps the largest importer of European antiques in the USA, and she has refined and expanded her business with a fervor possessed only by those who truly love their careers.

"To say that my stores keep me busy is an understatement!" says Inessa. "With two showrooms in two states, I'm constantly on the move, ensuring that both of our locations adhere to the original vision," she says. "I also insist on being the buyer. One of the things that sets us apart from all the rest is that even though we operate over 50,000 square feet in two states, the original owner is still the sole buyer," Inessa explaines.

"Although this task remains one of my most consistent challenges, I feel it makes our stores truly special," she says. "I try to select each piece as if it were a treasure for my own family, and follow that selection process up with careful restoration to bring each piece to its full potential," she concludes.

"There will always be a deep appreciation for antiques and the classics in the culture of Louisiana and Texas, and we're glad to be a part of continuing that legacy by maintaining the connection to the so-called Old World," she concludes.