Shopping Guide: Chicago

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Forget Oprah, deep dish pizza, and the Cubs. Chicago is all about architectural salvage. When buildings are dismantled or renovated, architectural artifacts– like corbels, doors and fireplace mantels– are often removed in tact and sold to salvage shops. These upcycled gems can be incorporated into remodels and new constructions or restorations of historic structures. It’s no surprise that a city like Chicago, with world class architecture, would also have outstanding architectural salvage. So when I took a recent trip to Chicago, I made sure to visit the top rated salvage stores in the city.  Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood, is housed in a remarkable 80,000-square-foot showroom. The inventory is vast and eclectic; they carry everything from theater seats to gargoyles, religious artifacts to neon signs. Architectural Artifacts is an incredible resource for one-of-a-kind items and special statement pieces. My favorite finds included a 19th-century blue and white Delft tile mosaic, which depicts Frans Hals’ Married Couple in a Garden, and a gorgeous French art deco wet bar …

Shopping Guide: Atlanta

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I just returned from a brief trip to Atlanta. A friend recommended that I check out the shops at Miami Circle while I was in town, and I’m so glad she did! Miami Circle has over 60 showrooms, covering the gamut from antiques to lighting, rugs, framing, and art galleries. Foxglove Antiques & Galleries was one of my favorite discoveries. They specialize in French, English, Swedish, and Italian antiques, and their inventory is beautifully styled and a delight to browse. Painted zinc horse head from France circa 1900. 19th-century mixed earth cups and saucers, France. Danish mid-century rosewood credenza. Polished aluminum cabinet, part of a matching pair. Copper telephone with carry handle.  Architectural Accents was another highlight from my trip to Atlanta. Located adjacent to Miami Circle, this architectural salvage store carries an exceptional selection of doors, mantels, corbels, stained glass, and tile. It’s a dreamy place to shop!  Painted doors circa 1870, featuring scenes from La Fontaine’s Fables.

Shopping Guide: Charleston & Savannah

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If you ever find yourself in the Southeast, make sure to plan a visit to Charleston and Savannah. Their stunning architecture and blooming azaleas are draw enough, but they also happen to be prime destinations for furniture and home goods. Charleston, with its refined charm and stately townhouses, boasts a number of fine antique stores and elegant boutiques. Savannah is home to the famous Savannah College of Art and Design, so its offerings are more unusual and eclectic. Here are a few of my favorite spots in Charleston and Savannah:  Charleston, South Carolina  South of Market, 173 King Street, carries an eclectic mix. Many of the upholstered pieces, like the beige linen sofa and white tufted banquette below, are clean, contemporary versions of European classics. But the store also offers a selection of antiques, mid-century modern designs, and industrial pieces. South of Market has locations in Atlanta and New York City as well. Tucker Payne Antiques, 169 King Street, is the perfect …

Shopping Guide: Nantucket

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I just returned home from a long weekend on Nantucket for Thanksgiving. Even though I grew up in Boston, I had somehow never been to Nantucket before this trip! The island is full of traditional Cape Cod-style houses: low, symmetrical cottages with weathered shingles or wood clapboard siding. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Nantucket prospered inordinately as the hub of the whaling industry; but by the mid-19th century, whaling was in decline and a large fire destroyed most of the island’s earliest buildings. Jethro Coffin’s house, known in typical straightforward New England style as the “Oldest House,” is Nantucket’s oldest house still standing in its original spot and one of the few structures to have survived the devastating fire. Built in 1686, this saltbox house features a distinctive horseshoe design on its central chimney. I spent several days poking around the little shops in Nantucket Center. As it turns out, Nantucket has a notable retail history; R.H. Macy, founder of Macy’s department store, was born on …