The Story of R.A.E

Growing up, I was always drawn to things with a story. Antique furniture, well-loved books, old postcards with faded handwriting—each carried a history, a piece of someone’s past that still had a place in the present. There was something magical about that connection, the way an object could hold meaning across time.

But it wasn’t just things I wanted to understand. As I navigated my 20s, I found myself on a journey of self-discovery, trying to make sense of my own past and how it shaped me. Facing the realities of my mental and physical health, I realized how much of my life had been spent navigating challenges I didn’t fully understand. Healing wasn’t easy, but it taught me the importance of honoring where I came from while still making space for growth and change.

That’s where the idea for R.A.E. (Restore, Adore, Explore) was born. It started as a love for antiques and evolved into something much bigger—a business built on the belief that everything, and everyone, deserves a second chance. Each item I curate carries a history, a story waiting to be appreciated again. Whether it’s a piece of dishware that once held countless family meals or a hand-painted tea set that sat at someone’s table for years, these pieces remind me that beauty doesn’t fade; it transforms.

Through R.A.E., I hope to bring that same sense of restoration and renewal to others. More than just selling antiques, I want to create a space where people can reconnect—with history, with nostalgia, and maybe even with themselves. Because sometimes, the things we’re drawn to say more about us than we realize.

My name is Emily Rae Harrison. No, Rae doesn’t stand for Restore, Adore, Explore, but that’s what it has come to mean. My middle name was chosen in honor of my paternal grandfather, Raymond. Though I never had the chance to meet him, I felt like I knew him through the stories I grew up hearing. He was a carpenter, an entrepreneur who built his own cabinet-making business. My Granny was a hardworking woman who not only cared for her family but also created and nurtured a home. Together, they built a life through dedication and resilience. Their stories instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep nostalgia for a time when success was built with one’s own two hands.

On the other side of my family, my mother’s roots run deep in South Carolina. When I was a child, my great-grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and every Saturday, we would drive up to visit her. My grandmother would cook lunch, and we would gather around the table, connecting over food and conversation. Their home was a time capsule—the same little ranch house from the 1950s where my grandmother and her four siblings grew up. It had old hardwood floors, wartime memorabilia, antique knick-knacks, and faded photographs. Some say it’s not good to form attachments to material things, but to me, those things felt like home. They provided warmth, stability, and a sense of belonging. We didn’t need the latest or the fanciest; we had what mattered most—each other.

My favorite part of spending time with my grandparents was the stories. While some might tire of hearing the same tale about an old vase or the “good old days,” I never did. For a moment, I could escape with them, step into their past, and experience their joy. That was special. That was how my love for antiques and vintage items was born.

As a teenager, I found the freedom to cultivate my own safe space. I started collecting antiques, fell in love with vinyl records, and filled my room with windows to the past. Those treasures brought back the same warmth and comfort I had felt as a child.

Now, as an adult, my passion for vintage remains strong. I have taken my love for the past and the work ethic instilled in me to create something meaningful. R.A.E. is more than a business—it’s an extension of my creativity, my history, and my desire to share that sense of connection with others. So, welcome in and make yourself at home. Come as you are.

I invite you to explore R.A.E. and discover pieces that speak to you. Whether you’re searching for a nostalgic treasure or something with a story of its own, I hope you find something that resonates. Happy shopping!