In our state full of farmhouses and city lofts alike, there’s always room for rustic, timeless décor. Whether you’re trying to furnish your big front porch or planning to remodel your bathroom, you can’t go wrong with antiques and salvaged items. Des Moines is home to many antique shops of various sizes, making it a shopping destination for antique-lovers and do-it-yourselfers from miles around. Here, we show you three local spots filled with collectables and unique pieces for your next project.
West End Architectural Salvage. Find your next treasure at this 50,000 square foot warehouse of antiques and salvaged items from across the US and around the world. The owner, Don Short, and his team are featured on the television show West End Salvage, the second season of which recently premiered on the DIY network. The show centers on the team’s efforts to reuse and ‘upcycle’ salvaged items into unique furniture, home décor, and more. If you find items that you like in the store but you’re at a loss when it comes to making new pieces, the team can design and create custom items for you as well. And with a four-story warehouse filled with inventory from New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, you’ll be sure to find a favorite item. Also, the amazing warehouse itself can be rented out for events and used as a rustic backdrop for photography (there is a sitting fee). The warehouse also has a full menu coffee shop, so even if you aren’t feeling up to actually purchasing anything, you’ll be able to stroll through the fascinating rows of items, latte in hand.
The Picker Knows. Looking for a slightly smaller venue where you can focus on a variety of collections from different vendors? This local shop is the perfect place to find new items for your home, and you can choose from 200 different vendors. The inventory is so large that not all of it can be displayed in the store, so the owners also hold monthly auctions for collectors and antique enthusiasts.
The auction for March is this evening (March 5th) from 6pm-9pm at the Adventureland Palace in Altoona.
Porch Light. This gem of a shop is located in Des Moines’ East Village, and its eclectic inventory is reflective of its urban, artsy location. Porch Light is for those who would rather browse hand-picked items than hunt through boxes and bins. The shop carries vintage and vintage-inspired items ranging from jewelry, hats, and accessories to linens, furniture, and stationery. There’s even a kids’ section filled with vintage games and toys and brand-new bibs and other linens. As you stroll through the inventory of cheery, brightly-colored items, you’re sure to find a brilliant piece to perk up your home.
The Des Moines area is full of beautiful items from days gone by. Check out these friendly antique stores, and you’ll find it easy to revamp your living space.