Earlier we saw the people, now you can see all of the good stuff out at Brimfield. This is what makes it worth fighting the heat.
Brimfield in the Summertime Part II
Shopping Houston | Installations Antiques
When I was in Houston a few months ago one of the places my friend Kate took me to was the fantastic shop Installations Antiques. The store (which is located in an old commercial bakery) is a great mix of American and European antiques, with an emphasis on Belgian goods. One thing I really like about the things on offer at Installations are the modifications that owners Becki and Jur van der Oord (hence the concentration on Belgian antiques) make to some of the found objects — like making a light out of a aluminum aircraft wing. It sounds like a stretch, but Becki and Jur really have excellent taste and it shows. The shop is beautifully merchandised — probably the best merchandised independent store I have ever been to. I bet the folks from Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware visit often, so they can knock it off.
Peruse the shop in the photos below, or better yet stop by next time you are in Houston. Might be best to take a truck, at least I wish I did.
Kahn Fine Antiques of Chatham, Mass.
If I am out-and-about and I see the an antique store, nine times out of ten I will just keep on driving. Generally, it is the same type of old lady vibe with little of interest to a man like myself. That said, if you ever find yourself in Chatham, Cape Cod make a point to visit Kahn Fine Antiques. The shop — which specializes in nautical items and Americana — is one of my favorite things in one of my favorite places. Growing up I spent a lot of summers on the Cape and I remember even at a young age being obsessed with New England whaling history and accoutrement. Kahn’s has an amazing selection and knowledge of the arena, so much in fact that the antiques certainly carry a price. Even so, it is always nice to escape into the 1800s (1600s?) with a visit to their shop. In a pinch you can just peruse the goods like the items pictured here in via the store’s website. Some of my favorites below.
Antique Ship-in-a-Bottle Circa 1900.
An American 13 Star Yacht Ensign Made by Annin & Co., New York, circa 1865-1870
A fine Cased Pair of Over and Under Boxlock Percussion Pistols by John Blisset, London, c. 1840
