The inside of Metamorphosis, an eclectic furniture store in Davis Square, Somerville, that sells everything from cabinets, lamps, tapestries, to books, magazines, and vinyl records. — Photos by Anh Nguyen

How a furniture shop in Somerville is keeping alive the appetite for nostalgia and creating items with personality

By Anh Nguyen

On any given day, it is not uncommon to find people between the ages of 17 to 70 walking into a peculiar store in Davis Square. The wooden sign out front indicates that the store is called “Metamorphosis,” but tells passers-by nothing more.

Perhaps it’s the smell of oak wood and burning incense, the tasteful vintage clothing, or the scattered stacks of books and Russian posters that draw people inside. Maybe it’s the warm sound of Brazilian jazz, or sometimes upbeat British rock, playing on vinyl (a testament to the Brazilian owner’s eclectic taste in music). Or, maybe, it’s the fact that this store can create any piece of furniture one could think of upon request.

“When you walk into [most stores], your eyes are drawn to one thing,” said Tina Nguyen, 22, a student at The New School-Parsons who found the store in passing and purchased a book titled The Zodiac and Its Mysteries. “In here, your eyes are drawn to everything.”

Eddie Gomes, 52, sitting at the back of his store during a lunch break. He is often wearing a bandana around his neck, and always an interesting graphic t-shirt.

Eddie “The Last Bohemian” Gomes is the owner of this eccentric furniture store on 93 Holland St. Following his brother’s retirement from the business nine years ago, Gomes decided to carry on the name Metamorphosis for his own furniture shop. He’s been running the place for a total of 12 years now.

While unable to put into words what defines his “bohemian” style, Gomes thinks it can be felt upon walking through the doors. The casual atmosphere invites people to wander around and lose track of time. It can also be felt through Gomes’ personal touches on every piece of furniture he collects or makes.

“I don’t compromise too much,” said Gomes. “I just pick out stuff I like. And when it comes to my business, I just don’t take stuff too seriously.”

The store challenges and redefines what one would expect from a furniture or antique store.

“Who buys antiques?” said Gomes, “I’ll tell you who buys antiques: old people.” He tries to stay away from the term “antiques.” Gomes thinks that he has created and curated his own vibe – one that is timeless.

It is a store that reflects the spirit of Davis Square and how the Somerville community nurtures quirkiness and creativity. That appears to be one of the reasons it’s survived, and in some ways, thrived during the pandemic.

“A store like this is what makes Davis Square so special,” said Gianna Schuhknecht, 31, a local resident who has been getting furniture made by Metamorphosis since she first moved here two years ago. On this particular day, she was picking up a blue side table with a natural wood-color drawer.

In an increasingly digital age, it feels special to pick up something handcrafted. This sentiment is especially true for many people who spent a large part of the last year indoors on screens. When life feels like it’s dependent on technology and everything is automated, people can find comfort in nostalgia.

Gomes sorts through boxes of vinyl records to decide what to buy. He has regular sellers who contact him about personal or collected items they think Gomes would be interested in.

“You can go to places like Ikea, West Elm, Bob’s Furniture. There’s a lot of great furniture places out there, but I don’t see the point,” said Gomes.

His customers seem to agree.

“You want something with a little more personality for your home, so it doesn’t just feel like a showroom,” said Alice Ly, 32, who recently moved into the Davis Square neighborhood with her partner and has been looking to furnish their place.

The appeal of Metamorphosis’ furniture is that each customer will be the only person who has a particular item. There’s nothing else like it. This was appreciated by customers browsing the store on a recent Saturday morning. Each piece was customized and seen as equally special. Also, Gomes makes an effort to form relationships with the people who commission and buy his furniture.

The items most commonly requested are bookshelves, nightstands, bed frames, and record storage boxes, but Gomes says that there is nothing he wouldn’t make. “My mind is always creating and seeing things differently,” he said.

But Gomes doesn’t make all the furniture himself. He considers himself a “good middle man.” With many years of experience running the business, Gomes has formed a large network of creators and artists – consisting of carpenters, woodworkers, metal workers, people who work with glass, mirrors and other materials.

When working with other creators, Gomes’s role is to give ideas to them and make things come to life for his customers. He expresses excitement about his work when he gets to repurpose items, give new life to it, and see customers buy the pieces.

The name Metamorphosis is, in part, inspired by the famous Franz Kafka book and Rolling Stones album. It means to always transform, evolve. This is exactly how Gomes sees his store. It is always changing and something is always happening there.

In a few months, Gomes will be fulfilling one of his longest-held dreams: to open a record store. And that will be a part of his metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis
93 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 616-5440