Prompted by many years as both a dealer and a collector of antiques and ‘anything quirky or different’, Steve Smith and his wife Karen opened their own Aladdin’s Cave of the unusual and curious in the summer of 2015.
The stock displayed in the showroom at Ollie’s of Whitchurch reflects Steve’s own expansive interest in antiques and collectables, and covers the broadest spectrum of age and style, with perhaps the single proviso that each item must be at least interesting, perhaps a little eccentric, original, and something he’d be proud to have in his own home.
The items range from furniture and what these days is termed “architectural salvage”, through garden statuary and urns, to more conventional collectables such as ceramics, glass, paintings and sculptures. Here you’re as likely to discover a imposing film prop perched on a stripped Victorian pine kitchen table as you are a sleek Art Deco desk standing cheek by jowl with a glitzy 1950s chrome-and-glass slot machine.
What you won’t find is anything stuffy or staid – no cabinets full of tarnished silver plate, dusty china figurines or stacks of crockery. Ollie’s is as far removed from the traditional image of the antique shop as you could imagine, and it reflects today’s tastes for statement pieces, stylish interiors, and a comfortable expression of personality.
Steve and Karen have a great eye for those antique, vintage and modern furnishings that can bring style and individuality to the modern home. Karen runs the showroom, while Steve is often out sourcing fresh stock, or ‘standing’ at one of the many fairs that take place most weekends across the UK.
The stock featured on the website is just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s plenty more in storage, on the road with Steve, or just arrived yesterday. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, drop us a line, and if we haven’t got it now, then we’ll do our best to find it!
