CANDID Interview: Maggie & Annie Genovese

Twin sisters Annie and Maggie Genovese are co-founders of Forsyth, a Saint Louis based gallery presenting design, furniture, and contemporary art. I met Maggie and Annie by way of a mutual friend and furniture designer who brought me to their studio about two years ago. The three of us quickly hit it off over our collective, and mildly obsessive, appreciation of fashion, design, travel, textiles, and love of horses.

Since then, we've collaborated on four SALON x LKS events, in 2019 alone. Forsyth is a gem in St. Louis. There's ingenuity spilling from every nook and cranny. Every time you walk into their office and warehouse, you immediately realize you're surrounded by elegance and verve. These two creative women are rockstars and breathe new life into everything they do.

The Genovese's have a passion for sourcing cool chairs and cool art. Forsyth is renowned for its one-of-a-kind collection of mid-century and antique furniture restored with uncompromising quality by their master craftsmen and upholsterers in natural hides and luxurious fabrics. Annie serves as Creative Director and also the Editor with the eye of Forsyth's world-famous Saturday email, saturday marnin cartoons. Maggie serves as Managing Director, keeping the ship moving in the right direction. These two have a brilliant eye and are always making magic happen.

“When I was younger, I thought doing what you love would be unattainable. I feel extremely fortunate to have proven my younger self mistaken.” -Maggie

“Just do it. Just freaking do it. Stop thinking about it and do it.” - Annie

My personal style...

Annie: Easy and relaxed. Most often in jeans and a t-shirt but I am loving all of the tulle dresses and skirts from Khaite and the very feminine designs at Brock Collection. And Isabel Marant is always a favorite, that Parisian cool tomboy aesthetic. Man, I am all over the board. z

Maggie: This is cliché’ but - a lil bit country, a lil bit rock and roll. There was this house outside LA featured in a past Elle Décor and the title the editors gave to it was “Rock and Roll Farmhouse.” When I read that, I was like – whoa, that’s me.

The best piece(s) of fashion armor in my closet...

Annie: Blue jeans. I am most comfortable in jeans. Always and forever.

Maggie: My cowboy boots. I have a few pairs in my closet but I always go back to my first ever pair which I bought in high school. There’s something about years and years and years of perfectly broken in leather that feels likes butter and fits like a glove. I wear them everywhere and when I do, I feel most like me.

I’m making my mark by…

Annie: Creating things that are beautiful, well-made, and useful. Why does a chair have to just be a chair. Can’t it be something worth looking at while also proving its function for a place to sit back and rest

Maggie: Re-imagining these brilliant icons from the past for modern living - beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces that will be enjoyed for generations.

A professional/personal challenge that keeps me up at night…

Annie: Growing Forsyth.

Maggie: Hoping we are making the right decisions for growth. It’s hard out there, but we gotta keep swimming.

In moments of self-doubt I build myself back up by...

Annie: Talking it out with Madge (Maggie) or John, our other co-founder. When in doubt, talk it out.

Maggie: Having a meet and greet with Annie. She can always give me a boost in the right direction.

My version of self-care...

Annie: Dust on my boots and sun in my face. “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” So true, Winston Churchill. A ride on my horse truly makes the stresses of the day disappear. Also, all things Tata Harper. Seriously. My evening skincare ritual is nothing but Tata and even though my bank account does not like it, my skin is very thankful. Worth it, let me work it.

Maggie: Naps. Short, cat naps are my favorite and can bounce me right back to where I left off. Annie and I also do Pilates on a weekly basis. I’m so happy I found Pilates. We started a few years ago and I will never not do it for the rest of my life.

Words of wisdom that resonate with me are...

Annie: Just do it. Just freaking do it. Stop thinking about it and do it. I have to tell myself this all the time.

Maggie: Don’t sweat the small stuff. I often get stressed out by little things that, in the big picture and the long run, don’t matter. I always tell myself – don’t sweat it, just do it, get it over with, finish it, and move the f on.

I stay true to my passions by...

Annie: Being creative. Whether designing a chair, designing an email layout or postcards for a mailing, taking photos, etc, this job lets me be my creative self!

Maggie: Doing what I love. When I was younger, I thought doing what you love would be unattainable. I feel extremely fortunate to have proven my younger self mistaken.

I’m most proud of...

Annie: Building a cool brand from scratch selling furniture and art. It’s hard as hell but fun as hell.

Maggie: Getting to tackle the daily grind alongside my best friend. Anne and I make an incredible team. It’s like a yin and yang effect. If I don’t think of something, she does and vice versa.

The one thing I would like to say to every woman in the world is…

Annie: Be kind.

Maggie: Find your passion, find your excitement, find your love and just go for it. Life’s too short for humdrum living..

Shop Maggie’s power pieces!