apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


AT DC: Finials Antiques

3813 Livingston Street NW
Washington, DC 20015
202.362.8400
www.finialsantiques.com

This is from DC finalist, Colleen. Comment away!

4-3-fin1.jpg

3-27-dc.jpgTucked away on a quiet side street close to Chevy Chase Circle, Finials is a treasure trove of antique furniture, costume jewelry, china, silver, and chandeliers. Owner Barbara Lautman opened Finials in June 1999 and has been doing a booming business ever since...

 
 

4-3-fin5.jpg

Finials is stocked with estate sale and auction finds, and a discreet sign on the door encourages passersby to enquire within if they have family treasures to sell. Almost all of the merchandise in the store is from the DC area; Barbara stopped making long buying trips once she realized “the wealth of merchandise” available in DC for the discerning shopper.

4-3-fin2.jpg

Clients at Finials range from recent college grads looking to start a furniture collection to the 94 year old woman redoing her entire beach house with antiques from the store. Finials has a large base of loyal repeat customers and Barbara knows many shoppers by name, but I was delighted to see newcomers get the same smiling welcome albeit without the personal greeting.

4-3-fin3.jpg

Finials specializes in late 19th and early 20th century furniture, most of it painted, but there are always a few mid-century modern pieces to be found in stock. Though many pieces are sold with their original paint, Barbara does some kind of restoration work on most of the pieces she sells, and is always willing to custom paint or finish a piece from the store to match a customer’s vision.

4-3-fin4.jpg

Finials offers traditional antique silver and china as well as quirkier pieces like this hundred year old dollhouse. With prices ranging from $10 for a costume necklace to $1400 for a Williamsburg mirror, Finials prides itself on offering something for everyone. >> www.finialsantiques.com

- Colleen Q.

(Thanks, Colleen!)

Reader Vote:

Tags

Guest Posts, antiques

Related Links

Share

Comments (27)

You make me long for a store just like this where I am!

posted by Alana in Canada on April 3rd 2008 at 7:02am
view Alana in Canada's profile

Great post!

posted by sadia on April 3rd 2008 at 7:06am
view sadia's profile

good job! hurray for DC!

posted by 335ktt on April 3rd 2008 at 7:08am
view 335ktt's profile

I miss those kind of stores now that I live in the sticks!

posted by lorijo on April 3rd 2008 at 7:11am
view lorijo's profile

the sticks have better prices cause there is less competition/people with style

posted by LaDonnaNichole on April 3rd 2008 at 7:18am
view LaDonnaNichole's profile

I know what I am doing this weekend.....Cherryblossom festival, then hunting down this store!

posted by wwoolsey on April 3rd 2008 at 7:36am
view wwoolsey's profile

Anything cool that caught your eye?

posted by jhy720 on April 3rd 2008 at 7:42am
view jhy720's profile

I live just a few miles from this store and had no idea it was there. Thanks!

posted by marknarlington on April 3rd 2008 at 8:31am
view marknarlington's profile

What an amazing place! It is a place like this that makes me miss the DC area. At least I am only a short drive away and I will definitely visit this store soon! Thanks!

posted by kekt on April 3rd 2008 at 9:32am
view kekt's profile

I go here all the time as it's next to the starbucks where I have a weekly newspaper coffee outing with my partner. I'm sooo happy you highlighted this amazing find. Oh, and the store next to this called Periwinkle, avoid at all costs. Though they have cute things to buy the owner and staff are rude and snobby. Though only to young people for the most part, making it all the more pleasant.
I really hope to hear more from you!

posted by lagomorph on April 3rd 2008 at 9:44am
view lagomorph's profile

Finally, a DC Blogger....I will be checking this out this weekend.

posted by Muff on April 3rd 2008 at 10:49am
view Muff's profile

What a great sounding place! I'll let my DC friends know about it.

posted by dezzdiva on April 3rd 2008 at 11:24am
view dezzdiva's profile

Thanks for all the positive comments folks! I'm delighted to be a finalist and hope my posts continue to appeal to you all.

jhy720- I loved the crystal chandeliers, but have no place to put one. One piece I should have bought was a lovely silver centerpiece bowl shaped like a large brandy snifter. At only $40, it was a steal, but I couldn't think where I would put it so I passed. I might pop back up there to see if it is still available...

lagomorph- that's my Starbucks as well! I actually grew up in the neighborhood and it's funny how that block has changed over time. My first savings account was in the bank that used to occupy the Starbucks space...

Colleen (CQ in DC)

posted by CQ in DC on April 3rd 2008 at 11:28am
view CQ in DC's profile

Thanks Colleen. If only I had ever ventured off Conn. Ave!! A trip to Finials and the Avalon may be in order!

posted by hillgirl on April 3rd 2008 at 4:39pm
view hillgirl's profile

Great post Colleen! I've been in the neighborhood for years and never stopped in- I'll definitely have to drop in the next time I'm in the area. I especially like that you included price info and some info on the owner. This is one of my favorite postings so far.

I love all these great DC resources we are getting through this process. I can't wait to keep reading!

posted by mcq on April 3rd 2008 at 5:12pm
view mcq's profile

Outstanding post and find. Hope to see more postings like this one in the future!

posted by oldmanbl on April 3rd 2008 at 5:39pm
view oldmanbl's profile

I love that chandelier! We have a smaller version of it in our own apartment and it adds a lot of personality to our living room, especially combined with some more modern furniture.

posted by mdparis on April 3rd 2008 at 10:21pm
view mdparis's profile

Nice post! So happy to finally have DC featured. Not living there at the moment but its still home!

posted by Vaydreip on April 4th 2008 at 10:13am
view Vaydreip's profile

I can't believe I've never been here!!!!

posted by Christine (the one in DC) on April 4th 2008 at 7:35pm
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile

Congratulations on being a finalist! This is a really great post and I hope that you win!

posted by harmonyfrance on April 5th 2008 at 3:00pm
view harmonyfrance's profile

I enjoyed the review!

posted by boopwang on April 6th 2008 at 4:03pm
view boopwang's profile

Thanks for posting a great resource - after reading I paid the store a visit ... what a find! I had a great time browsing and will definitely be back. Hope to see more posts from you in the future!

posted by smileydq on April 7th 2008 at 12:15pm
view smileydq's profile

outstanding! informative, well-photographed, and uncovers a local treasure.

posted by SD913 on April 8th 2008 at 5:12pm
view SD913's profile

I loved this review -- to think of all of the times that I have been in that neighborhood and I always overlooked this shop. Thank you for shining a light on another gem in DC! I also liked the photos -- they really made the shop come to life.

posted by AnaM on April 11th 2008 at 6:45am
view AnaM's profile

This is a great posting on one of my favorite stores! Don't forget that Finials is having a big sale the last weekend in April--they have a big sale every spring where they bring in a ton of garden stuff (furniture and decorations, especially). I've got it marked on my calendar!

posted by SadieinDC on April 16th 2008 at 10:05am
view SadieinDC's profile

I can't tell you how many times I've walked past this store without going in- I won't make that mistake again! Thanks Colleen for uncovering this gem in my neighborhood.

posted by annhenry on April 23rd 2008 at 5:48am
view annhenry's profile

I only wish I space for one of those chandeliers! Great find in a different neighborhood Colleen.

posted by colgankc on April 24th 2008 at 4:14am
view colgankc's profile

Feeds

RSS icon New York

+ City Feeds