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| Pied-a-Terre Home Decor |
Some people enjoy the thrill of the hunt, uncovering a priceless piece at a bargain price. Some seek out the unique and eye-catching designs that are becoming obsolete as time ventures on. Some go in search of quality work. Some buy to resell. Some to salvage, refinish, re-purpose and recreate. Whatever the reason you are drawn to antiquing, the Windsor area has a plethora of items to catch your eye and your interest.
Antique furniture and décor has a quality and appeal unmatched by any modern replica style that has made them quite sought after in recent years. The craftsmanship of vintage fixtures and furnishings have people on the hunt for the original treasures rather than spending their money on the modern recreations made to mirror these pieces from the past. From home furnishings, to jewellery, to knick-knacks, to clothing – the demand for items with past lives is on the rise.
Whether you are a seasoned collector, furnishing a home, seeking out a specific accent piece, or just browsing what the days gone by have to offer, shopping antique stores has a mystery and excitement about it that cannot be beat. In an area so saturated with antiquing opportunity, it’s hard not to get caught up in the thrill of this modern day treasure hunt. But for those new to that hunt, we have mapped out the local stores, shops, nooks and attics that sell these timeless treasures, and have even included some tips from the experts themselves – the antique dealers.
Beginning on the bustling sidewalks on Wyandotte Street in Windsor, our first stop is a located in a shared building where you will find not one, but two charming and completely unique antique shops. The Vintage House, run by Lorian Taylor, is the epitome of Shabby Chic. This breathtaking little shop offers both sales and consignment, and is vastly stocked by previously loved items that are brought in from the downsizing company that Lorian is part of. The shop has a style and essence that is completely it’s own, and prices that anyone seeking a deal would love. The owner is simply as lovely as the items in her shop, and encourages buyers that are new to shopping resale to “look for pieces with potential. A layer of paint or some fresh fabric can add new life and personalize your purchases.”
Just next door, across the shared front stoop, you will find yourself in the home of Tango & Magpie. A sensational shop stocked with an eclectic mix of antique, vintage and mid-century pieces. With a mix of home décor, furnishings, china, crystal, artwork and more, you are sure to find something you love within their walls. With years of experience under her belt, Sally, the owner of Tango & Magpie, says that furnishing a home from resale can actually run “less than ¼ of the price of furnishing straight from a run of the mill furniture store.” It also allows more room to personalize and be creative with your décor, and gives your home a more unique aspect. Her tip to buyers – “look for furniture with good bones. Structure is important, and vintage and antique furnishings have such quality structure and design.”
Antique furniture and décor has a quality and appeal unmatched by any modern replica style that has made them quite sought after in recent years. The craftsmanship of vintage fixtures and furnishings have people on the hunt for the original treasures rather than spending their money on the modern recreations made to mirror these pieces from the past. From home furnishings, to jewellery, to knick-knacks, to clothing – the demand for items with past lives is on the rise.
Whether you are a seasoned collector, furnishing a home, seeking out a specific accent piece, or just browsing what the days gone by have to offer, shopping antique stores has a mystery and excitement about it that cannot be beat. In an area so saturated with antiquing opportunity, it’s hard not to get caught up in the thrill of this modern day treasure hunt. But for those new to that hunt, we have mapped out the local stores, shops, nooks and attics that sell these timeless treasures, and have even included some tips from the experts themselves – the antique dealers.
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| Jones & Company |
Beginning on the bustling sidewalks on Wyandotte Street in Windsor, our first stop is a located in a shared building where you will find not one, but two charming and completely unique antique shops. The Vintage House, run by Lorian Taylor, is the epitome of Shabby Chic. This breathtaking little shop offers both sales and consignment, and is vastly stocked by previously loved items that are brought in from the downsizing company that Lorian is part of. The shop has a style and essence that is completely it’s own, and prices that anyone seeking a deal would love. The owner is simply as lovely as the items in her shop, and encourages buyers that are new to shopping resale to “look for pieces with potential. A layer of paint or some fresh fabric can add new life and personalize your purchases.”
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| Penny Jane's |
On to the town-like atmosphere of Ottawa Street. Ottawa Street is home to a cluster of antique shops that offer a wide range of items. Ruelland`s Antiques is both in quantity and square feet the largest antique shop in the area. With over 40 years in business, Ruelland`s is an unbelievable site to behold. From the outside in looks like any run of the mill resale shop (to be honest I kind of doubted it’s potential before I ventured in,) but once inside it leaves shoppers speechless. Artwork large and small lines the walls floor to ceiling, shelves of books fill the back corner of the shop just the same. This hidden gem offers a wide array both in product and in price range, and such wonderful services as free local delivery and layaway plans. (It worked for Sears!) The owner of the shop, Maurice Ruelland, expresses passion for his work that is contagious, expressing that “Art is meant to cause emotion,” and encouraging buyers that “when it comes to deciding on home décor and accent pieces the best instincts are their own, and to shop from the heart.”
On the next block over you can step a bit further back in time at The Vintage Witch Shoppe. Vintage collectibles, antique home décor and furnishings give a Victorian feel to this cozy shop. Also on Ottawa you are likely to find a wide variety of ever changing items at Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House.
If you are from the county or favour a scenic drive thru the country, consider setting out for the following destinations. The lovely town of LaSalle has a lot to offer the collector. For a place with a lot of history check out the Canadiana and Auto Museum on Laurier, or browse a vast collection of records, turntables and unique gifts at Vintage & Vinyl on Front Road.
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| Dusty Loft Antiques |
About half an hour outside of Windsor you will find yourself in the historic town of Amherstburg. For the historian, this may be a good time to stop and browse the waterfront, and surround yourself in the history of the war of 1812 with a visit to the museums and buildings of Fort Malden National Historic Site. While in Amherstburg, stop and buy a piece of history of your own at Dusty Loft Antiques. This charming antique shop houses a wide variety of previously loved items within a two level barn behind the owners’ home. This location is a known hot spot for local photographers seeking unique and trendy props, and with items for both the collector and the decorator, this spot is not one to overlook in your travels. Whatever the reason for your visit, owners Gene and Sherry are sure to be helpful, friendly, and a great source of tips, ideas and advice.
If you venture right into town you will be able to browse two lovely shops unique in their own ways. Pied-a-Terre Home Décor on Dalhousie Street is an eye-catching mix of old, new, and refinished. So many chic one-of-a-kind pieces cover their walls and fill their displays. The décor feels just like home, and the displays are changed so often that even their regular customers are guaranteed to see new pieces every time they visit. From large home furnishings to the tiny details like light-switch covers and drawer pulls, they are sure to have something that suits your unique style. And across town on Sandwich Street you can find Re-Inspired Vintage. This shop recently moved to a larger location and is always packed full with a wide variety of antique and vintage furniture, home décor, linens, and even upcycled and re-purposed specialty pieces, such as tiered trays made from antique china plates and tea cups. Definitely a good spot to look for a wide array and style of pieces.
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| Re-Inspired Vintage |
Bringing our journey to an end along the Lake Erie Shoreline we have Harrow Antique & Collectible Centre on the main street in Harrow, a hot spot for local Bed & Breakfast owners seeking new and interesting pieces for their décor. And since we have you out this way, be sure to take some time to enjoy the scenic drive along the curves and bends of the county roads, and be sure to watch for signs directing you to this barn or that, as there are always seasonal antique sales spotting the area. Other good places to hunt for treasured finds are the local thrift shops, pawnshops, resale shops, yard sales, estate sales, and the occasional auction.
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On Wyandotte Street East in Windsor, ON:
1. The Vintage House
4667 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-944-9685
2. Tango & Magpie
4661 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-945-5889
3. Jones & Company
1755 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-252-6448
4. Timeless Treasures
1747 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-977-1042
5. Penny Jane`s Vintage & More
(home of Aquarius Vintage)
1585 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-971-8734
On Ottawa Street in Windsor, ON:
6. Ruelland’s Antiques
1686 Ottawa Street
Windsor, Ontario
519-253-6064
www.ruellandsantiques.com
7. The Vintage Witch Shoppe
1201 Ottawa Street
519-980-4823
8. Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House
519-253-6064
www.ruellandsantiques.com
7. The Vintage Witch Shoppe
1201 Ottawa Street
519-980-4823
8. Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House
1407 Ottawa Street
519-977-5200
519-977-5200
Essex County:
9. Canadiana & Auto Museum
995 Laurier
LaSalle, Ontario
519-734-7943
10.
Vintage & Vinyl
891
Front Rd
519-980-SAVE
11.
Dusty Loft Antiques & Collectibles
5619
Concession 5 North
Amherstburg,
ON
519-736-7645
12. Pied-a-Terre Home
Décor
258
Dalhousie Street
Amhersburg,
On
519-713-9022
13.
Re-Inspired Vintage
421
Sandwich Street
Amherstburg,
On
519-981-0171
14.
Harrow Antiques & Collectables
15 King
Street West
Harrow,
Ontario
519-995-4699
Contributed by Melissa Piva - January - 2014
Thanks Mel ,
ReplyDeleteI just saw this today !!!
THANKS MEL
ReplyDeleteI just saw this today.
Great job!!