Taos Unlimited | Red Cat Melissiana, Treasures, Art & Landscaping

TAOS UNLIMITED SPECIAL FEATURE: Red Cat Antiques just off the Historic Taos Plaza specializes in antiques of all kinds, found art objects, embellished hand crafted items called Melissiana, crosses, icons and more

The Red Cat Melissiana, "Truly Taos" Treasures & Folk Art

Red Cat Antiques in Taos NM is a an authentic rambling adobe filled with antiques and treasures of all kinds, including found art objects, embellished works by owner Melissa, scupture, wind chimes and more by local artists, whimsical and fun pieces of all kinds. The Red Cat garden features plants, planting containers, and landscape services by Melissa.

Home of Gardens by Melissa

A Conversation with Red Cat Owner and Taos Landscaper, Melissa
Like many other Taos, New Mexico residents and business owners, I never expected to end up here, and I never intended to be a shop keeper! For a number of years, I owned a landscaping business in Marin County, where I raised three children while designing and caring for my many gardens. When my children grew up, it was my turn. I found a dream property here in Taos and was ready to indulge myself in a life of leisure, new friends and adventures. But the unique challenge of making a living in the mountains of Northern New Mexico soon became a reality, and as I have always done, I let my creative impulses be my guide. I had grown up surrounded by antiques and had an eye for the unusual—anything fun, funky or whimsical. I found that people loved my style and creative playfulness. So I took the plunge, opened my shop and filled it with anything and everything that attracted my “magpie” sensibilities and my Gemini nature, including folk art sculptures, furniture pieces I can add my own touches to, unique crafts by local artists and much more.

A New Taos Home for a Red Cat
My cat Nellie named the shop and insisted we sponser red kitties at the Stray Hearts Animal Shelter here in town, which is his Alma Mater (Yes, Nellie is a boy, but that’s a story for another day). Red Cat Melissiana is a wonderful, old rambling adobe building near the historic Taos Plaza with creaking wood floors, lots of windows, beamed ceilings, and cozy kiva fireplaces. I have a "Secret Cellar," supposedly full of spirits. I think they are a bit bored and have a little fun removing tags at night! There is also an entrance to one of the "Taos Tunnels" there, and a huge fireplace for… (ah yes, more stories).

My cellar at the Red Cat is crammed with more things than you can imagine, but Melissiana is its essence. So, what exactly is "Melissiana?" It’s anything that speaks to me. It can be old or new, large or small, plain or ornate, and if it doesn’t speak so loudly that it goes home with me, (a bit of a problem I am working on overcoming) it ends up in my shop. Initially, Red Cat was an antique store, but I soon realized

Red Cat Antiques interior shows folk art items including a metal art lizard, standing tin rooster and various fine art and antique furntiure items. Owner Melissa's cat Nellie lent her name to the shop on Dona Luz Street

that I was going to be very bored and probably starve to death waiting around to sell big, brown pieces of furniture. I do have antique furniture at the Red Cat, including cupboards, tables, chests and armoires. Some are perfect as is, but I do love to "play" with them. I paint, stain and decorate tables, boxes and trunks, chairs, benches and picture frames. No two are ever alike. But this shop is so much more than decorated furniture!

I am an avid recycler. I love anything made from recycled materials-especially those things so many of us use only once and simply throw away. At Red Cat Melissiana, you will find trays made of bottle caps, Haitian crosses made from oil drums and baskets made from newspaper. I have a great selection of works by local artists, including carvings from local cedar and cottonwood trees and chile ristras carved from old wood painted bright red.

I am the exclusive dealer of the wonderful "redeemed" art of an amazing local artist, Pablo Flores. I met him when he brought me some primitive crosses he made in his yard. We became friends when we realized we were both junkers who collected bits and pieces wherever we went, carted them home and created art. Neither of us have even driven past a roadside dump, junkyard or abandoned property without a stop ... and we always find treasures. He now creates his pieces in my workshop, and his creativity is positively explosive! We collaborate over coffee in the morning and he proceeds to make creatures, wall hangings, shaman and totems. Every day is different and every piece is different. We are entered into a number of art shows, and we ship pieces all over the country. I believe the art of Pablo Flores is destined to be increasingly sought after and collected. Our newest endeavor is the "Cyber Bug," wonderful wall-hung critters combining new trash (computer components) with old trash (tin cans, rusty bits of metal and whatever. They are just so much fun. People laugh out loud and they do “fly” out of the shop!

Red Cat Antiques owner and artist Melissa is hard at work in her studio, creating "Melissiana."

Red Cat Antiques owner and artist Melissa is hard at work in her studio, creating "Melissiana."

Melissa's Secret Garden
Plants, gardens and landscaping are still my passion/obsession. The front garden at my shop is filled with flowers which puts smiles on so many faces. My side garden and courtyard is "The Secret Garden"—a tiny walkway between two buildings and a shaded courtyard with a ridiculous number of plants for sale. Little spaces like this are ideal for "container" landscaping. And at Red Cat, if it holds soil, it’s a planter. I have cactus and succulents in cans, bowls, bottles and old cowboy boots. I have many of Pablo’s pieces out there as well as plant stands, wind chimes, lanterns and vintage garden furniture.

As fate would have it, my landlord loved the little garden I planted in front of my shop and commissioned me to landscape 18 of his Historic District commercial properties. (What joy!) Locals and tourists alike are effusive in their praise, and I have been featured in newspaper articles and won awards for my efforts. This all led to a segment on local radio show. Let's Talk Dirty with Melissa, The Dirt Diva of Taos can be heard every Monday on Breakfast with Nancy on KVOT 1340.

My planter boxes are in great demand and are increasingly seen all over town. Every day customers photograph my gardens, my custom garbage can and the front door of my shop, decorated with all sorts of unexpected things. I meet new people from town and far away, and I love what I do. I make people happy, and they love buying what I sell. It reminds me of my landscaping days in California. I did it my way, followed my passions and it feels just grand. Whoever it was who said "Do what you love and you will always have success," must have been right!

So stop by my shop to say "Hi" and stay awhile. See for yourself…and keep Nellie in cat food!

Red Cat Melissiana
Local Art, Treasures, Folk Art, Found Object Art...
The Fun, The Funky, The Whimsical & More
110 Dona Luz Street
in the Guadalupe Church Plaza
Taos, NM 87571
(575) 751-7553

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Map of Taos New Mexico, showing the location of Red Cat Antiques, Melissiana and landscaping Services

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