Forget about fine china and granny cast-offs, the owners of this awesome shop peddle a miscellany of antiques and collectibles specifically geared for guys. Think of it as a veritable one-stop-shop for accessorizing your man cave. We're talking everything from vintage workbenches and pinball machines to action figures, taxidermy, pin-up art and neon signs. And that doesn't even cover the store's collection of military paraphernalia, which runs the gamut from artillery to army fatigues, helmets, gas masks and flank jackets. Other finds include antique cameras, pocket knives and even vintage holiday décor. Bonus: They offer free beer while you shop.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Mantiques is a great place to find military related collectibles.
Ilene's expert tip: Be sure to ask about the 10% off a $50 purchase when you check-in. And check the Facebook site for new arrivals and special sales.
An antique geeks paradise, this cavernous 45,000 square-foot marketplace is filled with more than 200 dealers peddling an inventory so diverse that you could easily graze the stalls for hours and still not cover half of it. Early American, 19th-century English and French, art deco and mid-century furnishings, it's all here. Also expect to find Oriental rugs, antique books, gemstones, fossils and estate jewelry alongside handbags from the likes of Judith Leiber and Chanel. But don't come here looking for a bargain, that stunning 1920's French crystal chandelier or Corticelli Spool Cabinet can easily set you back several thousand dollars.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Forestwood Antique Mall is a good place to look for high-end antique furniture.
Ilene's expert tip: The best time to find good prices is during Forestwood Blooms is the mall's annual spring sale which usually takes place the last weekend March. Look under the event section on Facebook for exact dates.
Taxidermy baboons and vintage concrete torsos are just a few of the quirky surprises in store at Curiosities, the brainchild of mother and son team Jason and Terry Cohen. The pair have an extraordinary talent for turning hoarding into an art form, and as such, have stuffed their shop with a motley array of antiques and retro bric-a-brac, all carefully sought out from estate sales and flea markets. Find everything from vintage holiday decor (think: Christmas ornaments from the Victorian era to the 1960s) to carnival memorabilia, toys, electronic gadgets, furniture, turquoise jewelry and vintage clothing. While you're in the area, be sure to check out the vintage garden collection at sibling shop, Curious Gardens, located near the Dallas Arboretum.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Curiosities boasts one of the best collections of oddities in the Dallas area.
Ilene's expert tip: The owners are known to negotiate prices when you pay in cash.
It's not often that you can find a vintage anatomy model, a retro pinball machine and a pair of children's antique Bergere chairs all under one roof. But nothing about this expansive antique emporium is predictable. Housed in a former printing factory, the 24,000 square-foot market boasts around 60 booths selling everything from American and European antiques to a host of unique items (like a collection of hat form molds) you probably won't see anywhere else. The store also offers a broad spectrum of mid-20th-century furniture by design greats like Arne Jacobsen and Adrian Pearsall. Oh, and Lucas Street Antiques directly benefits the Genesis Women's Shelter it shares space with, so when you shop here you are contributing to a worthy cause.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Lucas Street is like an Antiques Road Show under one roof.
Ilene's expert tip: Don't forget to visit the back area, which is home to deeply marked-down merchandise.
Though slightly chaotic and packed to the gills, this mammoth Design District fixture is one of Dallas' premier treasure troves for antique furnishings and collectibles, much of which has been sourced from around the globe. From Mid-century, French and English furniture to stained glass windows, chandeliers, rugs, architectural items and even tribal art, there's 13,000 square-feet of merchandise to root for here and believe us, you'll need to root. But the hunt is often rewarded with exceptional finds at exceedingly exceptional prices. Better still, the store updates its inventory daily, which means it is constantly offering discounts to make space for new arrivals.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Lots of Furniture is a good place to find antique French furniture.
Ilene's expert tip: Lots of Furniture holds an end of year liquidation sale in November and December a spring markdown sale in May and June.
On the hunt for a pair of Harry Bertoia bar stools? Or how about a few shrunken heads and rodent skulls? With its chaotic retro jumble of mid-century furniture, random kitsch and vintage frocks, this 3,800 square-foot mecca of the macabre and magnificent is just the ticket for those on the prowl for something a little different. Find a wide variety of apparel from the 1940s to the 1980s plus cowboy, motorcycle and combat boots as well as jewelry, rock memorabilia, bones, doll parts and taxidermy. Don't leave without checking out the antique warehouse at the back.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Dolly Python is the ultimate spot in Dallas for vintage clothing and vintage music memorabilia.
Ilene's expert tip: Stop by Friday through Sunday and get a Tarot card reading for $20. Also, check out Dolly On Bishop at 313 N. Bishop Avenue in the Bishop Arts District.
Don't let the name fool you, this isn't your run-of-the-mill consignment store, the owner has an affinity for purveying top-quality antique, vintage and designer furnishings and offers them up for a steal. The inventory changes often but expect to find a wide range of traditional high-end furniture as well as everything from chandeliers and carved statues to vintage Wedgwood and wool rugs from Iran. Keep an eye out for an assortment of unique up-cycled pieces like French dough bins converted into sinks and lamps made from antique polychrome candlesticks. Look for the best prices on items that have been in the store for longer than 45 days.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Consignment Heaven is a favorite hunting ground for the area's top interior designers.
Ilene's expert tip: Consignment Heaven offers 25% off on inventory that has been in the store for over 45 days and 50% off after 90 days.
If the idea of scouring aisles of bric-a-brac, rummaging through bargain bins and haggling over prices excites you, then you'll enjoy the thrill of the hunt inside this veritable department store of vintage wonders. Here you'll find over eighty vendors peddling everything from mid-century modern and retro furniture to vintage clothing, kitschy collectibles and baubles galore. There's plenty to buy if you have an unlimited budget (like a mid-century stereo console priced at $1695), but luckily, you can also score some terrific bargains and dealers are constantly marking down their stuff. Even if you only end up spending $10, you'll still be able to walk away thinking you've hit the jackpot.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Lula B's offers the best selection of mid-century modern furnishings in Dallas.
Ilene's expert tip: There's a second location in Oak Cliff, but the Riverfront store is larger and has a larger inventory. Be sure to check the shop's Facebook page for new arrivals and mark-downs.
A favorite port-of-call for design professionals, this spacious, family-run Design District emporium is packed with unique antique furniture and accessories that the owners scoop up on frequent buying trips around the world. In addition to an eye-popping collection of tables, chairs, cabinets and armoires, the store stocks an eclectic mix of everything from vintage games to luggage, books, old auto parts and even garden decor. This place is also a particularly good hunting ground for architectural elements (think ornamental ironwork, British colonial doors, fireplace mantles and reclaimed stained glass windowpanes). Located within the same space is Uncommon Lighting, which specializes in custom reproduction and antique light fixtures.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: Uncommon Market is one of the best places in the area to find European antiques.
Ilene's expert tip: Uncommon Market offers sales and discounted items on its Etsy shop site. The store rents out its antiques as well as its spaces for photoshoots and events.
One of the oldest and largest flea markets in the country, Canton's First Monday Trade Days (located around 50-miles southeast of Dallas) is every magpie's dream, with over 5,000 dealers, pavilions and stalls sprawled across 100 acres. From apparel (new and vintage), antiques and collectibles to crafts and jewelry, whatever it is you are looking for, you're likely to find it here. Note that the main event takes place the Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month. Whichever day you go, be sure to arrive early if you want to beat the crowds. Also, take plenty of cash and be prepared to haggle.
Recommended for Antique Shops because: First Monday is where to go when you want an ultimate flea market experience.
Ilene's expert tip: Be sure to download the First Monday Trade Days app to guide your way to the treasures you're searching for. To make getting around easier, there are scooter rental stations installed at each entry point. Also, note that there are ATMs here.