The Elegant Setting is a premier gift shop in the Hamptons specializing in custom embroidered and monogrammed items. The Elegant Setting was founded in September 2002 by Stephanie Finkelstein, as a by-appointment showroom and consulting service in New York City. In April 2004, it opened as a retail store on Southampton’s Main Street, in the heart of Southampton village. The 1,000 square foot tabletop shop offered an exquisite collection of vintage pieces that Stephanie acquired from tirelessly trolling through flea markets and auctions around the country as well as high-end brands of china and crystal such as Hermés, William Yeoward, Baccarat and Simon Pearce. The Elegant Setting established itself in the community over the past seven years, supporting many local organizations and charitable events. As the business progressed, the focus shifted from tabletop to unique and personalized gifts. This shift has now led to the new 400 square foot bungalow style retail space just off Main Street in Southampton Village down a brick path adjacent to the former location, featuring the ‘Best of the Best’ selection of items.
The Elegant Setting’s inventory in the new space is highly selective. The selection in the store focuses on essence of the business – gift items, paper goods, candles, frames, kids items and the custom embroidered and monogrammed items. The exclusive touch extends to the monogramming service for everything from linens to tote bags and towels making each item a personalized one. Embroidery specialists can custom design monograms, motifs and images drawing from over 200 fonts and 300 thread colors. The Elegant Setting takes the fear out of the gift giving process, offering fun and practical advice about everything from wedding gifts to party planning. The Elegant Setting launched an online store in 2009, featuring a selection of exclusive products and offering the ability for clients to shop with The Elegant Setting even when they not in the Hamptons.
Inspired by nostalgia for a time when entertaining was an art, owner Stephanie Finkelstein yearned for a shopping experience like the one her grandmother enjoyed. Like many women of her generation, Stephanie’s grandmother had a special relationship with the stores she frequented. All the clerks knew her, and it was a more intimate, personal experience, one that is hard to find today. At The Elegant Setting, she has recreated that personal shopping experience, and uses her passion for entertaining to help clients discover their own.
In its seven years in business, The Elegant Setting has established a notable place in the media. The exclusive line of products has been featured in several national media outlets including Instyle, Bazaar, Town & Country, Quest, Affluent Magazine, Oprah Magazine and The NBC Today Show. Local media and regional media have also spotlighted the store including Newsday, The New York Times, The New York Post, LXTV’s Open House, Hamptons Magazine and Hamptons Cottages & Gardens Magazine. Stephanie has also been featured as an authority on small businesses in The Wall Street Journal and recently was a featured guest on Fox Business’ The Willis Report.