Barbara Barbara

351 Pequot Avenue, Southport

As its name suggests, the more the merrier. And oh, gentle reader, how to impress upon you the degree to which this store is merry. There’s so much stuff packed into shelves and piled on tables you need a field guide and a degree in archaeology to shovel your way through the morass. But get through it you must, as your reward is twofold: 1) you’ll find something fabulous, 2) you’ll have a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.

Robin’s note: She has Christmas ornaments – in May! But I bought one, so she who laughs last, etc. etc.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 30-65 without children.

Their specialty: Everything.

What you should buy: Unique light fixtures and vases, and my daughter loved the plastic bananas…

What you may not know but should: She has a small collection of John Derian decoupage, including a rare placemat made from antique hand-written letters.

BAM

21 Lois Street, Norwalk

There are good real estate markets and there are bad real estate markets, but there will always be bad taste. Everyone has a “they sponge-painted their yard furniture and put it in the dining room next to the litter box” story, but who has actually purchased a home containing such atrocities? Exactly. Which is why savvy brokers enlist interior designer Barbara A. McEntee to “stage” (fully furnish and decorate) empty or visually offensive homes for maximum show-ability and quick sale.

But here’s the kicker: after the house is sold, all of the fabulous furniture, accessories, lamps and linens are homeless. So BAM was born: a warren-like warehouse in Norwalk where you can buy all of this stuff at 30-99% off regular prices. It’s like a glamorous, sheltered garage sale that changes weekly. If you enjoy the hunt, and you don’t bring children that like to push large paintings to see if they fall off the wall, you can find some amazing treasures.

Robin’s note: The women working in the store are lovely and patient: when my kids unburdened a chandelier of its light bulbs, Jane, a designer at BAM, chuckled and asked me if they’d like some candy instead.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Primarily moms from Westport.

Their specialty: Lamps, coffee tables, and sofas.

What you should buy: A new Carver’s Guild mirror with tags for $895, normally retails for $1,175.

What you may not know but should: Upon my departure, they loaded me up with free home design magazines.
Located next to “Sugar & Olives” (see “Sugar & Olives”)

Green Demolitions

15 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
19 Willard Road, Norwalk

At first blush, it seems like a typical success story: suicidal drug addict recovers, makes a wad of cash, sells used kitchens. But wait – “used kitchens”?

Who they are: Founder and President Steve Feldman is a drug addict survivor. He began selling used, overstock, and showroom kitchens and appliances in 2005 to give back to All Addicts Anonymous (AAA), the program that saved his life, through Recovery Unlimited. To date, he owns 4 Green Demolition stores in 3 states and hires 37 people, 35% of who are recovered addicts or family members of recovering addicts.

What they do: In addition to kitchen cabinets and appliances, GD sells objects for the entire house: lamps, toilets, sinks, furniture, candlesticks, etc. Pretty much any decent donated item. But mostly kitchens and appliances.

How to donate: If you wish to donate, they’ll send over a truck to pack up your old kitchen, etc. and haul it to the nearest GD store. You don’t have to pay a dime in disposal or moving costs and you get a tax deduction and you get a warm fuzzy.

The good stuff they sell: They do a brisk business with Christian Clive cabinetry and Viking stoves. Their new “Luxury Room” and “Gold Mine” boasts pewter and silver plate accessories, Tibetan rugs, “finer” furniture and that ilk. And if you want a Viking stove, don’t buy it retail: GD gets a bunch of them. But it’s hit or miss, so be prepared to come back regularly to find what you want.

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Leonards

1945 Post Road East, Westport

We all know there are far fewer American antiques than European. After all, our country is only a few hundred years in the making and we stopped sweating over fine furniture the moment Frank Lowell’s import business tanked and he pirated the Brit’s designs for textile machines. Or something to that effect.

Fast forward to Leonards, the finest American antique store in New England, possibly in the known universe. Recently they moved across the street and got rid of the silly sled by the front door which, I think, made it look more like Santa’s eerie workshop instead of a fabulous repository of beautiful furniture.

They specialize in heirloom quality antique and reproduction four poster beds. In fact, if you flip through any magazine article showcasing a four poster bed, chances are good it’s from Leonard’s.

You’ll also find gorgeous dining room sets, chests, coffee tables, and side tables. Don’t look for bargains, but every piece is worth the price.

Robin’s note: Now that the economy is tanking, Leonard’s is trying to accommodate the new fiscally conservative among us by offering more, and greater, discounts during the year.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women ages 35-70. Sometimes men, but not often.

Their specialty: Four poster beds: any bed can be re-sized to your measurements and some components may be re-designed to your liking.

What you should buy: Four poster bed, antique or reproduction, and chests of drawers.

What you may not know but should:
  - All antiques are expertly restored and in excellent condition.
  - If you purchase an antique, you can return it at any time for a store credit equal to 75% of its original cost, minus necessary restoration charges. If you own a piece for more than 5 years, they’ll offer a store credit of 100% of cost.
http://www.leonardsdirect.com

Pimlico

7 Elm Street, New Canaan

I entered this store with my son on a drippingly hot day, more with the intent of drying the sweat off of our bodies than buying something (a detail I decided not to discuss with the friendly owner, Jill). It’s a small shop with excellent air conditioning, the blues and silvers of the fabrics and furniture lending to the cooling effect.

However, it takes self-restraint to not buy something because everything looks so… fabulous. The glamorous mirrored furniture and tastefully embellished fabrics glimmer and glow with just the right amount of understatement. Co-owners Jill and Melissa update the collection/presentation often so there’s always something new to see and covet.

Robin’s note: Most of the pieces are tough to find on the web or elsewhere which, I think, helps justify profligacy.

Their specialty: Mirrored furniture (new and antique) and chic throw pillows.

What you should buy: Mirrors, unique accessories, and gorgeous chandeliers.

What you may not know but should: The customer service is superlative: they’re happy to answer any questions, are unfailingly polite to shoppers and browsers, and are wonderfully accepting of young children who lick mirrors.
http://www.pimlicohome.com

Bungalow

4 Sconset Square, Westport
(203) 227-4406

A full-to-the-point-of-popping antique/home décor boutique that channels the Palm Beach socialite who entertains Hollywood royalty when she’s not traveling around the world collecting antiques for her second home.

Robin’s note: A “friend” of the owner once confided to me, “I remember when she first opened Bungalow. Back then you could still walk around.” So be warned: your child will delight in his/her easy access to breakable items.

Their specialty: Exotic antiques.

What you should buy: Antique sconces or fabulous wall mirrors.

What you may not know but should:
  1. They never have sales. Ever. Which is why it’s so full.
  2. They carry a small collection of lovely jewelry, including JL Rocks.

Glen Leroux Antiques

56 Riverside Avenue, Westport

Curiously and solitarily perched on a stretch of street devoid of comparable establishments, GLA is a tidy, beautiful shop specializing in mid-century modern American and French antiques.

Every gorgeous piece, from furniture to jewelry, is meticulously organized and surprisingly dust-free (a detail readily apparent to mothers and gay men). His jewelry collection lavishly fills two glass cases: one full of real (Tiffany, Cartier), one full of costume. The costume baubles, especially, are exquisite.

All of his furniture are designer pieces, including Jens Risom and Herman Miller, as are his chandeliers (with one glittery exception).

Glen, the proprietor, is a charming, delightful man, eager to talk antiques, answer questions, and measure chandeliers. Most inventory moves quickly, as he shows around the country 12 times a year. However, don’t get all excited about super deals and discounts unless, of course, you consider an $8,000 chandelier an exciting offer. If you do, you’ve come to the right place: he’s happy to negotiate.

I spent half my time physically restraining my 3-year old daughter (and her lollipop) from climbing on shelves and furniture and, though he kept one terrified eye on her, he plastered a smile on his face and pretended to be charmed with her antics. I know I’m an annoying customer – any mom with young kids is (even if your kids wear designer clothing and sing to strangers, ladies) – so I appreciated his patience.

Robin’s note: Glen is not a “designer” per se, but has offered his decorative eye to special clients, even procuring and selling rugs at trade discounts.

His specialty: Furniture and object d’art.

What you should buy: Jewelry and elegant chandeliers.

What you may not know buy should: Well, there is one deal: his Lalique collection includes a mix of old and contemporary pieces. He sells the new pieces “at least half off regular price.” So if you’re in the market…

Léonce Antiques

1435 Post Road East, Westport

Like most people, I blame my undesirable personality quirks on my parents. So it gives me great pleasure to actually appreciate them for something. Like a proclivity for sterling silver I inherited from my mother. So Léonce Antiques, the self-proclaimed “Largest Seller of Sterling Silver in Connecticut” is the closest thing to mother/daughter therapy we’ll ever have and, at 10,000 square feet, will ever need.

Robin’s note: Don’t expect bargains, but expect rare and fabulous antique serving pieces, trays, and flatware from esteemed makers such as Tiffany, Towle, Jensen, Lunt, and much more. They also sell porcelain, brass, furniture, and many other antiques.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 40-70 years of age who look like my mom.

Their specialty: American and English antique flatware, silverware, and hollowware.

What you should buy: If you’re not ready to blow $15,000 on a near-complete set of discontinued art deco Tiffany flatware, consider buying a sterling napkin ring, prices from $30-$298.

What you may not know but should: Most pieces are engraved. But if you don’t have time/patience to pick through stacks of silver looking for catchy monograms (OMG, WTF… ), you can search by letter on their organized and comprehensive website.
http://www.leonceantiques.com

Design Solutions

146 Elm Street, New Canaan

Listen, I totally get the “Oh, my life is so hectic I want my house to be a beige Zen haven where I can relax and look at white walls and a smattering of dark antique furniture” thing. But if you crave fabulous pops of gorgeous color so riotous that the kids’ toys seamlessly blend into their surroundings, then this is where you can go for all your home décor needs.

Robin’s note: DS is owned by Mike Wallace’s daughter, the former president of that Mecca for whimsical practicality: The Conran Shop. While DS focuses on home interiors, they also carry Marimekko accessories and novel children’s items.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women ages 35 to 60.

Their specialty: Living room décor, from furniture to rugs to fabrics.

What you should buy: Special one-of-a-kind items from around the world.

What you may not know but should:
  1. Among their special items are pieces from Haiti, including colorful papier mâché birds and a fabulous pink birdcage chandelier, which now hangs in my kitchen.
  2. When I fell in love with the aforementioned chandelier, I wasn’t sure if it would go with my décor. They happily delivered it to my home, carried it inside, and stuck around until I decided to buy it, if I decided to buy it. All of this at no cost, no obligation, and they had no idea I was going to lavish praise upon them in a website at a later date. Now that, my friend, is good old-fashioned customer service.
http://www.designsolutionstore.com

The Monogram Studio

60 Lewis Street, Greenwich

I love monograms: they make stuff significant. You can slap a monogram on a cloth diaper and it becomes a family heirloom. So I was thrilled to discover The Monogram Studio, a happy little store filled with monogrammable items for babies, kids, moms, dads, homes, dogs, etc. You choose the item, color, and style, and they’ll make it look as though you poured more thought into it than you actually did.

Robin’s note: The owner, Dancia Rose, will monogram any (reasonable) item you bring in, even if it doesn’t come from her store.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Moms.

Their specialty: Duvet sets and baby clothes.

What you should buy: Canvas toiletry cases for children.

What you may not know but should:
  1. She has great sale items in front of her store, prices may or may not include monograms.
  2. Her website lists colors and styles, though not all store items are listed.
www. winstonstuckernuck.com/monogram-studio.html