GOING COASTAL? TRY ANTIQUING FOR AUTHENTICITY

With summertime upon us, strong thoughts of going coastal linger in the air. Having recently just visited Key West (for our anniversary last week) I too am embracing the coastal spirit... and what better place to do this, living here in sunny South Florida. Did you know, even Pottery Barn did part of their Coastal Style photo shoot down here, in the Florida Keys, back in January? And in their shoots, have you ever come across some detail or accessory you wish was for sale, but it was just a prop in the photo?

Pottery Barn on location in Islandmorada

Learn more about this Moorings Resort

Well... on their site, they have some "on location" videos, and one of those videos, narrated by Pottery Barn Style Expert Jeffrey Moss, mentioned one of their Miami finds: STONEAGE ANTIQUES. It's located right here in Miami, on the Miami River. Although the dust inside may be from the stoneage, this place has been gathering the mother load of all things authentically nautical - with a few other charmers - for the past 45 years. And after strolling through their packed aisles - my husband can't say diddly about our garage!

Welcome to the mother load...

and this is just ONE aisle from a maze of about twenty-four

Stacked here, these portholes could make

an interesting installation

set as a grid for a new focal point in a space...

Got rope?

Jute-roped bottles... only $55

Japanese styled jute roped orbs...

Authentic weathered lanterns...

Hello Key West...

You could seriously get lost

in this place for hours...

But you can be steered in the right direction...

And find some other wonderful pieces...

These doors would make an awesome

 new dining table, headboard, or

wall art as a backdrop to a metal sculpture...

Outside has goodies too...

This anchor is taller than me!!

And although some pieces are too large

to bring home in a Prius or Jetta,

you can still capture shots

and turn them into your own thrifty wall art...

edit your pics in sepia for an aged effect,

or b&w for a classic look to mix with modern

Or just keep them natural for a punch of color...

There's just no telling what you can find here...

Even a carved turtle for Ramona to "turtle-dance" with...

(if you watch Real Housewives of New York - you got that)

and speaking of New York...

even found this trunk from there...

So when you pack your bags to come to Miami...

Don't forget to save some room

to bring back your finds from

STONEAGE ANTIQUES

3536 NW South River Drive

Miami, Florida 33142

305.633.5114

It's an incredible collection of finds

and a fun place to roam...

whether you're looking for props for a restaurant, store,

or to accessorize your home.

Try antiquing for authenticity and

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

and BTW: don't forget...

Sex and the City 2

opening today at a theater near you...

(I heart SJP & NYC!!)

PS: Thank you for continuing to follow FOCAL POINT

and please pardon my absence for the past week.

I just needed a serious break from

blogging, facebooking, and tweeting...

and Going Coastal was just what the doctor ordered!