The Local Weekly The heart and soul of our communities with news and information about the Sunshine Coast
A selection of items in the Re-Decor Store in Sechelt. photo submitted
The Sunshine Coast is a place that values the motto: reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle and the local antique and collectible shops take this to heart. From Gibsons to Madeira Park finding your next treasure is just around the corner. You never know what you are going to find but when you see that special something it comes home with a pride of place that a first bought can never claim.
At Re-Decor part of the hunt is done for you. Diane sources from estate sales and crafters in the area to put together a store filled with collections that will compliment your beachy, casual, mid-century, shabby chic or just plain eclectic decor style. Re-Decor is about 80% consignment items and 20% from local crafters suppling her with pottery, wood cutting boards, hand made furniture, amazing mirrors made out of pieces of drift wood, pillows from recycled fabrics, photography, paintings and more. The rest of the store is filled with ever changing treasures. Diane curates pieces with quality and a seasoned eye for, ‘what we never knew we needed, but so want’.
A unique opium bed from India on display at Dogwood Antiques in Sechelt. photo submitted
At 70 years old, Bernadette’s motto of “carpe diem” or “seize the day” led her to open Dogwood Antiques in downtown Sechelt. After having her eye on the present location on Cowrie St for years, Bernadette finally got the opportunity to open her antiques and collectibles store this summer. A lot of the store’s exquisite antiques comes from the home and travels of Bernadette herself. After spending most of her life exploring the far reaches of the world she has a collection of unique pieces that all have a story to tell. The unique opium bed is from India, made from rosewood; it stands about 3 feet off the ground and is surrounded on 3 sides by ornate woodwork and mirrors and just waiting for the right person to love it for another 40+ years. Bernadette believes that quality endures and quality should never end up in a landfill.
A selection of items in Dave Coyle’s Antique
Reproductions store in Gibsons. photo submitted
Sometimes, after searching high and low you still can’t find that perfect piece for your house. You might want to try Dave Coyle’s Antiques and Collectibles if you are looking for Canadiana wood reproductions. Dave discovered a love for old Canadian wood furniture years ago. As a fence builder he was removing old fences and would just toss the wood in the landfill. Picking through the scraps there was always some “good wood” so Dave started taking those pieces home and recycling them in the fashion of old Canadian wood furniture. Dave’s skills were acquired from his early years in antique furniture restoration. He uses a variety of techniques to achieve a realistic antique look for each handcrafted piece of furniture he creates. As the business has grown, his wife Jackie, has been adding beautiful collectibles to accompany the Canadiana style of the furniture.
The Coast is filled with businesses finding ways to repurpose and re-sell quality previously used pieces. Rightsizing Solutions has a showroom on Field Road and also advertises full home estate sales throughout the year. Rare Finds in Madeira Park has a store filled with unique items waiting for a new home.
The common thread that weaves through all these stores is wanting to be of service to the community and create a place where quality endures. The owners of these stores embrace Voltaire’s quote, “to preserve and renew is almost as noble as to create.”
Natalie Findlay
