Shop Like an Interior Designer
Here’s Where They Find One-of-A-Kind Treasures
Usually, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. But today I want to share a story that not only is true but happens everyday!
For over a decade, my go-to store for any home interior need is Decorator’s Resource, on US1 in Lake Park (near Palm Beach Gardens), Florida. If I’m driving between Georgia and South Florida, I always stop at Decorator’s Resource. My love affair with the shop began about a ten years ago when I lived in Palm Beach County.
First and foremost, my love of vintage fine furniture and home accents must not be underestimated. It is my passionate pursuit and for a little while, I owned my own store and sold designer treasures too. Palm Beach County is the winter home for many northerners who have had it with snow and ice. I lived in the Philadelphia region for almost twenty years and get it! When I was younger I used to curse the snowbirds in my beloved South Florida but after life in the northeast…hello snowbirds. I respect you.
The crazy thing about these winter residents is many of them only use their homes a few weeks out of the year. Many an interior designer from up north would be contracted to also create the interiors in winter homes under the Palm Beach sun. What a treat for any designer – because there are many options to find incredible buys up and down the county – especially in the West Palm and Palm Beach Gardens area.
Of course, Antique Row on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach is a must. During the season, the stores are filled to the core with eclectic and traditional finds. Mid-Century is still in vogue and even Victorian pieces, so out of favor for so many years, are creeping back into the scene. Summer shopping offers less inventory but better prices since it’s off season. Always call to make sure these shops are open before you venture out during the off season, that’s when the owners go on vacation or buying trips.
There are maps of furniture consignment stores and antique stores available, a woodpecker trail of delights ~ but my all time favorite and go-to shop is Decorator’s Resource. I felt compelled to write about them after my latest stop last week. Designers shop this shop, and I am going to tell you why!
The owners of Decorator’s Resource purchase or consign entire estates – and not just any estates, they sell some of the finest furniture and home accents from homes in Palm Beach and the surrounding area. Sometimes the home owner dies, and the children (who usually live up north) must liquidate the furnishings. Sometimes, the owner is redecorating and wants to liquidate their furnishings, but almost always, their furniture is the best in the industry, barely used, sometimes brand new, and the antiques are fabulous.
When I walked through the door last week, the contents from the Palm Beach home of a hedge fund trader filled a good part of the 10,000 square foot store. If I had a trailer hitched to my car, more would have followed me home. (and I have hitched a trailer to my car before!)
We all know bar stools cost a fortune and are hard to find. I forgot to find the manufacturer on these but the quality of the cane-back, nail-heads and leather say very expensive. Usually, retail bar stools at $199 each are poorly made and not real leather. Not these – these are beauties!
Are you swooning over this Baker Furniture Charleston Dining Table? The details make the difference and that’s what makes Baker so special. I promise, the chairs alone are more than the cost of the entire set, new. Again, it looks like no one ever sat in these chairs or ate at this table. Beautiful. I used to represent Baker Knapp and Tubbs in Philadelphia. I promise, this price is incredible.
When it comes to leather, Hancock and Moore is tops. Outstanding construction, sumptuous leathers and made in the USA. Clearly, this owner enjoyed this sofa and it is priced accordingly…but a new sofa like this is in the many thousands of dollars. Recondition with leather cleaner and enjoy, it costs less than a fake leather sofa, new, and will last forever.
This chair needed to come home with me. So pretty in blue and white, and outstanding quality by Hickory Chair . I really fell hard but alas, no blue and white for me ( I keep thinking I will change everything to blue and white but I love my reds and oranges…just can’t pull the trigger.) Seriously, this is an adorable chair at another ridiculous price.
I know, I know, I keep saying the same thing over but seriously…$525 for a like- new Maitland-Smith cocktail table? Check out the brass feet and crotch veneers. Lovely.
This Baker Sectional could sell new, depending on fabric, for over $10,000. Wish I had a trailer on my car, it needed to come home with me! Now you see why I say this is where the designers shop – it’s their secret favorite place. Are you looking at the other items in each picture? This store is packed with many home decor items that need to turn over fast for the newer inventory coming in the door. Decorator’s Resource, like all of the other incredible stores in Palm Beach County turn over inventory fast. “Pickers” come and sometimes wait for the trucks to unload to buy furniture and home accents, to grab the best before anyone else can get them.
Did I buy anything? I had no choice…I had to. I’ve been eyeing this Mackenzie-Childs set of dishes for years, but again, I couldn’t pull the trigger. $400 for the entire set? Sold! Merry Christmas to me.
If you’d love to see what else Decorators Resource has for sale, check out their inventory on Chairish.com or their Instagram page. Usually though, their inventory sells so fast, it is online for a minute and then it’s gone. They do ship and just sold a Karges partner desk for $7000 to a home in Virginia If you know Karges, you know it is hand-made, and very special. It sold within an hour of posting on Chairish.
Didi Hoffman 