About a month ago I was visiting with one of my Aunts (it was her ___ birthday) and we were joined by a couple of family friends Donna and Pamela for a lovely day of Arts in the Park in Camden Maine. The weather was unfortunately quite dreary – the company was fortunately not. These ladies are as far from dreary as it gets so we had a really wonderful day never minding the weather.
I knew that Donna, Pamela and their family (they are sisters) winter in Florida but really had no idea what part of Florida….it’s a big state you know. So you can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to learn that their winter homes are near Tampa….perfect as these are just the ladies to tell me where all the great treasures are. I can't remember the first time I met Donna (it was that long ago) but the first time I met Pamela was several years ago. She was at a rummage sale buying a bargain life sized bust for her then teenage son (which unfortunately for me he loved and still does)…I knew instantly she was my kind of lady. Both Donna & Pamela have an amazing decorator eye…although Pamela is the only “official” decorator.
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| The Missing Piece 3854 South Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL |
Well, the recommendation they gave me was a consignment shop called The Missing Piece so I immediately put it on my list and headed over directly after my visit to the Henry B Plant Museum (see my visit to the Plant Museum/Tampa Bay Hotel here).
Not really sure what to expect I did know one thing…they had beautiful things on their web page and they came recommended so it all looked good. I was a bit surprised when my GPS let me to the deep corner of a strip mall but given Florida’s somewhat strip mall centric nature I’m not sure why I was surprised. The real surprise though was all of the gorgeous pieces I found when I went in.
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| This piece was in a vignette at the front door...what a wonderful hint of what was to come. |
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| The sunlight coming in from the front window really messed with my stellar photography skills (lol) but this piece was so beautiful in person...trust me |
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| I love the color of this buffet...you would expect black or red for this style but blue? The unexpected definitely works! |
The Missing Piece is really primarily consignment furniture…there are a few accessory pieces but really its clear furniture is their core specialty. It’s also not vintage but classic pieces are beautiful whether they are new or old.
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| I will someday have a room large enough for a piece like this...it will be filled with beautifully written literature...contemporary & classic (surprise, I have a bit eclectic taste in books). |
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| This Roll Top Desk was so unique and beautiful in it's simple lines. |
What I generally love about consignment is not only that there are always bargains to be had but more importantly I always see unique pieces that I never see in regular furniture stores. There were plenty of those as well as good quality pieces that have more shall we say “mass appeal”. Bottom line…there is so much to drool over here.
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| This piece was very different than anything else I saw and could work in so many places...great colors much loved look...really beautiful |
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| Oh this baby came so close to coming home with me. You have no idea...white opalescent swirl ....a lamp that shimmers...what could be better? |
I was definitely wishing I either lived closer or had a big truck with a nice driver to haul it back for me. They do offer delivery…wonder if that covers the 10 states and 1375 miles (yes I Mapquested it) to my house. On second thought, it’s probably best I don’t have either of those or I would have a very empty bank account….but a house full of furniture…and maybe a guest spot on that show Hoarders lol.
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| And one final beauty...the crewel lampshade was fabulous! |
