Treasure Hunting in Goodlettsville

Treasure Hunting in Goodletsville

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Dusty chairs stacked high, chandeliers of every size hanging from the ceiling, knickknacks crammed in every corner, obscure items long forgotten, a wonderland of polished junk waiting to be someone’s treasure – this is the ubiquitous antique and vintage retail scene.

Nashville is chock-full of antique and vintage shops. Many of them, like Gas Lamp Antique Mall I & II , have become destination places for tourists who’ve come from all over the country. I am a huge fan of these shops, and spend a large portion of my time shopping in them for clients. They are filled to the brim with well-curated items, and they have made the antique shopping experience a breeze.

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But sometimes, the picker in me needs to get out of the city and find treasure in places a little less expected. You may be surprised to find that some of the best flea markets, yard sales and antique shops can be found in small towns. The prices are lower, and you’re likely to find a larger selection of rare finds. The shops are not as fancy and digging through junk is required. But the hospitality and charm of these small establishments will win you over quickly.

Last week I went north to the quaint town of Goodlettsville and spent the afternoon antiquing. Goodlettsville is an easy 25 minute drive from downtown Nashville and all the antique shops are within a few blocks of each other on North Main Street.

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Each place was uniquely their own and worth every minute of my time. A bit rough around the edges, but the selection was extensive and diverse. From 17th century dining sets and velvet couches to turn-of-the-century phone booths, there were gems in every direction. If I had brought a moving truck, I would have taken an entire house back with me.

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So the next time you are thinking about taking an antique expedition, think about going to the Goodlettsville antique district. It’s definitely worth a trip.

Below are my top 3 antique shops and a fantastic place to eat in Goodlettsville. Enjoy!

Goodlettsville Antique Mall
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Favorite Finds: High-End Antique Furniture, Vintage Chairs, and Rare Collectibles

A family owned business for over 30 years with a large selection of antiques and vintage furniture, collectibles, dinnerware, tools and automobilia. The shop has recently been renovated, and has a great layout, the booths are well-organized, clean, and the items are of high quality. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Tara’s Antique Mall
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Favorite Finds: Ephemera, Military, Whiskey Jugs, and Primitive Furniture

A charming shop ran by longtime antique collectors, Claude Bellar and Nancy Pennington. As you entire the 12,000 sq. ft., store, you are greeted with smiles, cookies and fresh coffee. The environment is deliberately slow and laid-back, and you are encouraged to take your time. The staff had an incredible knowledge of each item they carried, and welcomed any questions.

Rare Bird Antique Mall9
Favorite Finds: Art, Mid-Century Furniture, Collectibles and Unusual Finds

A refreshingly quirky multi-dealer store. The shop showcases everything from automobilia, advertising, glassware, pottery, furniture, jewelry, rust, as well as the largest amount of country store collectibles in the country. Many set-designers and prop-stylists have purchased items from Rare Bird for TV shows, major motion pictures and magazines. Voted best antique mall in the area.

Chef’s Market (don’t forget to eat!)q
Delicious, unbelievably good southern cuisine. Owners, Jim and Cheryl Hagy, set out to bring a casual, chef-inspired dining experience and a fresh approach to the classic meat-and-three to Middle TN.

And finally, here are a few of the things I took home with me. These rare finds were less than $25 (total), and their value is well over a $150. Aren’t they fantastic?!
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(American Folklore & Legends educational chart by John Dukes McKee, Rolling Stone tenth anniversary with a fifty-page color collection of Annie Leibovitz greatest hits, and a pair of mid-century silk-screen crane prints)

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Gas Lamp Antique Mall

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One of my favorite things about my job is that I get to shop. A LOT.

A local favorite is Gas Lamp & Gas Lamp Too Antique Mall located in 100 Oaks. With over 25,000 square feet of goods in each building, your guaranteed to find something wonderful. And most likely, magical. The mall is filled to the brim with one of a kind items, oddities, antique & vintage furnishings, home decor and artwork. Whether you are looking for a gift, a unique item for your home, or a prop for a photo-shoot, Gas Lamp will likely have it and a few other things you didn’t know you needed.

On my most recent trip to Gas Lamp, I was on the hunt for over the top, ornate statement pieces. My current project is a baroque modern office with a strong influence of music and fashion.  The client wish list is flocked wallpaper, oxblood red & graphite black accents, tiger stripes, brass & gold-leaf, mirrors, modern & antique furnishings and lots of pop art. Fun, right?! Having a client who knows what they want and is willing to take risks is the best client to have.

Phase one of my projects is research and scouting. Before I have my heart set on a specific design, I go out and explore. It’s important to free your mind and allow yourself to be open to new ideas. Especially when you are at an antique store. You never know what you are going to stumble upon. You could miss out on something really special because you were too stuck on your original idea.

Design Tip: Enjoy the process, don’t be in a hurry and think outside the box.

Here are a few photos of my trip to Gas Lamp:

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