Never Refuse the Venetian Offer

toddrichesin — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:07:29 +0000

A beautiful room in the Palazzo

Antique shopping is always a part of our travel, and Venice is no exception. You never know where you might end up, but if you are truly interested in the products a merchant has, and you are polite, doors might open. Today we were casually walking toward Campo San Maurizio in San Marco and happened upon a shop we have visited many times called “V. Trois Antichita.” We were admiring a fabulous 18th century painting of young boys dressed as architects when the owner started talking with us. When he found out we were dealers, and that I was a designer, he asked if we would like to visit his “annex” a canal away. All I can say is this is why you don’t refuse the Venetian offer. You never know where it will take you.

We walked a canal away, and down a narrow sidewalk to what appeared to be a common entry door. Turns out, the “annex” was the palazzo where the owner was born and grew up! It was fabulous. We walked up to the “piano nobile” or first floor, and into a wonderland of 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th century Venice. The palazzo was built in the 1600’s, and still maintained some original details. It had been burned in the 18th century, so some of the decoration was more of that period…..but it was all amazing. I could not focus on the antiques at hand because of the setting in which they were displayed. As you can tell from my photos, I didn’t even know what to shoot. The experience was fantastic, and it is great to see how Venetian houses really looked….and in some cases still do. The owner doesn’t live there anymore, but his mother does. He traded this splendor for “the simple life” of a one room studio. Much easier to maintain….and a lot less to dust.

Another view of the main salon

Antiquing in Historic Franklin, Tennessee

toddrichesin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:10:53 +0000

Franklin's charming shopping district

We found ourselves in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend for a friend’s 40th birthday party. A trip out of Knoxville would not be complete without some antique shopping on the way. As you will soon determine, antique shopping to us means lots of things….exploring the town and any interesting shops, good food, and of course, antiques. We ventured to the charming town of Franklin, Tennessee, and were delighted with what we found. We see lots of different towns when on the “hunt” for treasure for the shop, but it is refreshing to see a town that has done such a fabulous job of re-inventing itself as Franklin has. The downtown is small, everything is within walking distance. There are shops for all walks of life and all budgets. Clothing for men, women, and children; bridal registry; antiques; gardening; and other gifts. There are many restaurants as well. We chose Merridee’s Breadbasket at 110 4th Ave. South. It is a great place for a sandwich on homemade bread, good ice tea, and delicious desserts.

A great men’s clothing store is F.M. Allen at 347 Main Street. It is very well done, and feels like an English men’s club inside, complete with fireplace and billiards. If you want a martini, you can have it at F.M. Allen. The clothes are beautiful, handmade, and all imported from England and Italy. Everything is private labeled with the F.M. Allen label. Thanks to their incredibly beautifully setting that drew us in, I have a new shirt.

Now, to the meat of the post…..antiques. There is a cluster of antique shops at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Margin Street. All of these shops are in old houses or warehouses. New and old mix in most of the shops, so don’t think everything you see is an antique because I can assure, it is not. For the most part, the shops are charming in this area. A bargain can be found if you look hard, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

There are a couple of antique shops on Main Street as well, and behind Main, on Bridge Street, is the Winchester Antique Mall. It is in an old house as well, and their merchandise is interesting. Most everything here is in good condition, and ready to be taken home and loved. Again, don’t be afraid to negotiate. At the entrance to town is Alexander Plaza, and there you will find Harpeth Antique Mall. This is also a good place, although it doesn’t have the charm of the historic downtown. You may or may not find a treasure. We actually did find a fantastic Italian secretary here, that is on its way to Bobby Todd.

Below are a few more photos of Franklin.

Historic Downtown Franklin

The cutest Welcome Center ever

Beautiful new townhouses on 2nd Avenue

More beautiful townhouses. I love this lifestyle!

On the Fringe. » antique shopping

Never Refuse the Venetian Offer

Antiquing in Historic Franklin, Tennessee