Welcome
We specialize in unusual items and antique furniture, particularly pine, from the United Kingdom. We are also known for our decoupage furniture, original signs, ceramics, copper, and silver-plate. Our pillows are from Wales and our throws are from a small English mill.
Our Approach
Rather than a store, we show at Round Top three times a year and sell on on-line platforms. At Round Top, we are at the Compound in the Peck Barn. We sell on Chairish and through Instagram. Before we buy a furniture piece, we have to imagine if and how we would use it in our home. We view furniture almost as a piece of art or a focal point of a room. We strive to offer a variety of options that could work in a country or a modern motif. In terms of styles, we lean towards straight lines versus ornate. Our personal style is very "laid back." We like what we do and try to not take ourselves too seriously. Saying that, we do know our stuff. And, we really enjoy sharing that information ... it is part of the fun for us..jpg)
Why Round Top?
We started our business over thirteen years ago by showing at Round Top in Texas. While we have shown at numerous other shows across the country, we found that it takes over a month for us for each show at Round Top with the arranging, staging, etc. We also needed more time for our online business and travels to the United Kingdom to find different items. We show at the Compound in the Peck Barn. We have been in the same spot since the Compound opened. And, we could not be happier. Besides the show space, we have a warehouse that we can show you what is there. Round Top continues to grow despite the pandemic. We believe that our customers can see the quality of our products, get to know us and feel more comfortable about buying online from us in the future.
Where do We Sell Online?
In 2015, we started selling on Chairish in our own shop - Antiques of Dallas. Given their fees, we felt they were reasonable for the amount of marketing they do versus doing it ourselves. We felt that this would allow us to focus on the product. Most importantly, they have negotiated very good shipping rates and this is critical in shipping furniture. This feature really opened us to be able to sell furniture and ship all over the country. At this time, we are only on Chairish. Our feeling is we should focus on building a "robust" online store with them first. Besides the shipping, their customer and service to us has been excellent.
What about other Social Media?
Yes. We are on both Instagram (antiquesofdallas) and Facebook (antiquesofdallas). These two keep us busy and we and definitely not pro's. We decided to make those posts more entertaining. While we still have lots of posts of our products, we try to show more "behind the scenes", whether we are setting up, unloading the container or traveling about the countryside in England or just enjoying the every changing sites of London. We try not to be too serious, but have some fun. Follow us and it is very likely you will catch pictures of items that are coming to Round Top or to be posted on Chairish.
More About Our Furniture - Especially Pine
When we started, we knew we wanted to focus on furniture. We both liked pieces that were well-built and, while old, would still be practical and attractive in today's homes or apartments. As our business matured, we evolved more to pine and other distinctive pieces. We felt that it should be affordable and if the piece was over 100 years old, it should last another. Over time, we started to meet some incredible craftspersons across the United Kingdom that also liked good antique furniture. We try to offer our customers a variety of options of choice. Our customers tell us that we have the best selection of pine at reasonable prices. They also tell us that we know about each piece in terms of details such as year and where we bought it in the United Kingdom.
More About Our Pine Chest of Drawers
We have a wide selection of antique chest of drawers from the United Kingdom. Each piece is hand selected. Most of the chests are 19th century or early twentieth. People ask if we restore them - only ocasionally. Each chest is already restored by our sources who primarily deal in pine furniture. To get the selection we do, we travel all over the United Kingdom to visit and see the pieces ourselves.
In terms of selection, we have a variety of sizes and drawer arrangements. We try to get wooden, glass and porcelain knobs. We can tell you why we selected each piece and where we found it. If you are interested in age, we can show you the clues and perhaps other secrets of the chest of drawers.
More About Our Decoupage Furniture and Items
We were introduced to a lovely couple in southern England when we started our business. It just so happened, they were starting theirs at the same time. He a "master" at restoring antiques and she had been doing decoupage tables for another antique dealer for years. We started with two chest of drawers. Now, we are one of their largest buyers and we have become very good friends.
Their signature piece is their black chest of drawers with fish. SInce each piece is an antique and each fish is put on by hand, then each one is unique. Over the years, we have shipped these chests and other items all over the country. They also do bamboo tables and tubs that are quite striking. Recently, they have started doing decoupage on a variety of different pieces furniture and items. And, we love it that we get first choice on these items.
More About Our Pillows from Wales
When we first started, we met a lovely couple from Wales that sold unusal fabrics and made pillows that were different than any we had ever seen before. We immediately hit it off and became friends over the years. They taught us about fabric and pillows, and we liked the idea of finding a small company that would have quality products that you could not find elsewhere. Designers all over the UK visit them to find out where fabric trends are headed. They both have an incredible eye and ability to not only know, but set the trends. We just spent three days with them in May, 2022. Each day, we looked at all the new products to bring over.. We also looked at all the new fabrics and decided which ones we would have custom pillows made. We are very excited about these, and you can see them at Round Top or on Chairish when posted. Remember - they are very limited in quantity.
More About Our Throws from England
A couple of years ago, we discovered another small company in England. We liked the quality and designs of their throws. Ever since their establishment in 1837, bales of raw wool have been arriving at their mill's doorstep to begin the process of creating beautiful woollen products. They are one of Great Britain's last remaining vertical woollen mills, meaning they are among a select few who continue to complete all processes on one site. We recently added scarves; and in the spring of 2022, we added stoles. You will also find us occasionally offering throws and scarves from other small companies, if the designs and prices are "right" for our customers.
More About Our Ceramics
We started selling majolica several years ago to help decorate our furniture. Of course, we knew very little at that time. Over the years, we have learned more about makers and patterns. We have discovered several sources that are really experts and they have taught us a lot. Now, we have grown beyond having just majolica to blue and white and recently imari. We will bring some of our ceramic inventory to the Round Top shows. Our plan is to continue posting inventory in our Chairish store - Antiques of Dallas.
More About Our Signs
The truth about our selling signs is it was an accident. When we started showing at the Compound, we quickly discovered we had a lot of wall space that needed to be filled, So, the next time we went to the UK, we discovered some original pub signs and an artist that creates signs on antiques. Of course, we especially like signs that have a bit of the British sense of humor. The tough part is finding them. It is definitely "hit or miss." After one trip when we did not find any, we learned our lesson that when we see them, we get them. We really like the original pub signs that are double sided and hand painted, Several of our customers have told us that they actually found the pub of their sign.
More About Our Silver Plate
One of the things we are known for is unusual British items and that includes our collection of silver plate. We do not do silver with the fluctuation of value and, to be perfectly honest- theft. We like items that have the English mark and items that are different and have a story. We particularly like Mappin & Webb, Elkington and Walker Hall. Mappin & Webb is still in existent with its flagship store on Regent Street in London. The other two are no longer, but their design and quality is excellent. Part of the reason we carry these items is for wedding gift options. Most of the silver plate is 19th century. Some pieces look very stylish by today's standards and that is just an indication of the design quality.