Leaven’ It Up

This week may be all about change for Americans, but I dare to caution: Do not discard everything from the past! In fact, with all the abounding newness, this is the time to remember the treasures of yesteryear and bring them into our modern lives. I’m not talking political notions – I’m talking tableware.   

My vintage search on Leavenworth Street led me to three housewares stores displaying a wealth of collectible goods. While these three shops are within three blocks of one another, they span decades of good taste in home furnishing.

McMillan Antiques
5002 Leavenworth St.
556-2522
Mon.-Sat.,10 a.m.-5 p.m.

McMillan’s Antiques is one part 19th century farmhouse, two parts mid-century retro, and totally cool. Owner Marcia Dwyer has been in business on Leavenworth Street since she moved her shop from the Old Market 10 years ago. 

McMillan’s specializes in mid-century modern furniture. Any day you may find an Eames chair, a patchwork vinyl recliner or a sleek ‘60s bench-style sofa. Lamps, glass bowls and end tables round out the look at McMillan’s, where vintage and collectible cross over into the realm of artistic self-expression.

Their customer base is as diverse as their inventory. “We see everyone from little old ladies to men with man-purses, college kids and hip young couples,” says Terri Terkelsen, a local artist who has recently teamed up with Dwyer to expand the store’s showroom into the basement.

“We’re really into the art of recycling,” says Terkelsen. “So we’re creating a space where we can sell some of the less perfect items we come across that we have refurbished. I see these things as functional art – if they are not collectible, at least they are conversational. No, they are not brand new, but they definitely embrace a shabby chic, bohemian flavor.” Expect to see the new gallery open before Christmas, says Terkelsen.   

Jim’s Seek and Save
4679 Leavenworth St.
660-0778
Tue.-Thurs., noon to 6 p.m.
Fri.-Sat.,10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Jim’s Seek and Save is just that – a good place to hunt for the thing you never knew you needed at just the right price. Jim probably offers the most eclectic mix of goods on Leavenworth Street, from furniture as old as the 1800s, to collectible toys from the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

Jim’s Seek and Save has been at this location for four years, and its inventory literally busts through the door of this small building, leading employees to display furniture on Leavenworth Street daily. If you’re curious, it might be worth the stop, as chairs can be purchased for as low as $10-$20, and more good deals abound.

Owner Jim Rhodes says that despite the wild array of goods found at his shop, often people find just what they are looking for, whether it is a tool, a belt buckle or a glass giraffe. And if they don’t, Rhodes says that he keeps a customer file to alert people to his latest finds. As he traverses the local circuits of estate sales, auctions, and the like, he keeps an eye out for specific requests from his clientele. A personal vintage shopper – can it get much better than that?

Tom’s Terrific Antiques
4541 Leavenworth St.
561-0585
10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Tom Wolfe is a bit of a quality vintage piece himself. He has been in the antique business in Nebraska for 50 years, first with a store in Auburn. The past 20 years he has had various locations along Leavenworth Street. With four years at his current location, Wolfe continues to stock high-quality glass lamps, stained glass windows and wood furniture from the turn of the century. 

As with any vintage shop, there is a little bit of everything, but Wolfe does specialize in glass – be it depression glass dishware or leaded glass windows recovered from older homes. Also, Tom’s Terrific Antiques has an impressive selection of curved glass secretaries, barrister’s bookcases and other oak furniture in perfect condition. These items aren’t exactly cheap, but the $700 you might spend for these heirloom pieces is a good deal compared to lower quality new furniture.

If you do stop by, be sure to visit the basement, where Wolfe says he keeps his lesser quality items. Don’t be fooled – there are still plenty of great finds down there, from the antique rocking horses and baby carriages to the light-up, 3-D picture of Jesus walking on water. 

Perhaps the best news is, not only do all of these shops sell quality collectible goods, they also buy them. If you’re ready to part with some vintage treasure, give them a call, you might be happy you did.

Fall accessories

New seasons bring about the latest in fashion trends and styles, and most women want to update their look without the cost of couture or the difficulty of understanding how to wear what they see on the runway.

Finola Hughes – award-winning actress and host of The Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” – says many people may not realize that the key to wearing the latest trends can be as simple as updating a few accessories and repairing things you may already have in the closet. And, she says, eyewear is the first thing people notice and the easiest accessory to update.

Nothing says fashion faux pas like an outdated pair of eyeglasses, especially bifocals or reader glasses that slip down your nose. It’s important for fashion to meet function, and a trendy pair of frames with high-quality progressive lenses can help maintain a youthful appearance. The latest lenses protect you from everyday elements such as glare, smudges and scratches, so the only thing people see is you.

Hughes suggests updating the rest of your look for fall with a few fashion-meets-function accessories that you can pair with what you already own:

• A versatile satchel bag can take any look from daytime to nighttime. It’s classic as a work staple, and makes a no-nonsense statement when worn out on the town to cocktails or dinner.

• Add some edge to your style with hints of rock n’ roll in the form of metal accessories. Layer chunky necklaces, wear studded belts, or tuck jeans into motorcycle boots with buckle details.

• Bold prints and innovative fabrics take center stage this season. Be seen in textured patterns and vibrant colors, from bright-colored block sheaths, to jewel-toned paisley tops or a houndstooth wool coat.

• Show off your assets in defining, high-wasted pants. Pair a wide-legged version in denim with a tucked-in, fitted blouse and slouchy cardigan for a retro look.

• Rich, sultry fabrics like velvet and lace complete an evening ensemble and add an element of femininity. Invest in a lace-covered clutch or pair slacks with a sheer, lacy bow-neck blouse to feel like a queen for a day.

For more fashion tips from Finola Hughes, and to learn more about Varilux and Crizal, visit www.mybestaccessory.com.

– Courtesy of ARAcontent