Vintage-furnishings shop Collective reopens with two Ballard

Tag : fur rugs

Earlier this year, I walked by the space that was once Collective , one of my favorite vintage/home furnishings shops. A couple stoodand stared at the papered storefront windows on historic BallardAvenue. "Oh no," lamented the woman. "Where did theygo?" My sentiments exactly.
Fortunately, Collective was only out of commission for a few monthsand has reopened in not one, but two, Ballard locations, one onBallard Avenue and the other on Northwest 50th Street.
Owner Gail Miller and her partner Gary Pratt remain dedicated tothe concept of affordable vintage and recycled furnishings, and areadamant about stocking sustainable goods, whether it's a foundobject, a vintage piece of furniture or a consciously made newitem.
Miller is selective about what goes into her stores, requiring thatevery item is well designed and makes a statement, though she can'tquite put her finger on what she looks for. "I can't describeit," she says. "I just know when I see it."
Many of the products are made with eco-conscious materials such asreclaimed wood and metals, organic fibers and low-impact dyes."I want people to be more thoughtful about what they're buyingand bringing into their space," says Miller, who believes inreplacing or adding furnishings a piece at a time, rather thanbuying a room full of poorly made furniture.
Collective showroom
On a recent visit to the shop on Ballard Avenue, I found all kindsof irresistible items for home and body. Miller makes a point ofoffering "small footprint" furnishings in the Showroom,which work especially well for apartment and condo dwellers.
The eclectic mix runs from a recovered split-style sofa for $2,800to Dreamsacks bamboo-fiber loungewear in an array of contemporarycolors (just $13 for shorts to $88 for a set of PJs). Mid-centurychrome barstools covered in turquoise faux fur ($85 each) caught myattention -- and I'm not alone. "Those fly out the door whenwe find them," Miller says.
For bed and bath, there are Portuguese-made Abyss Habedicoreturquoise and chocolate-colored towels ($49 for a bath towel),robes and rugs, and organic Area bedding ($50 for a set ofpillowcases to $375 for a duvet). Locally made Stacy Lewarscylinder-shaped lamps for kids (starting at $105) are adorable --Curious George cavorts on one.
You don't even have to splurge on jewelry here -- choose one of thepretty semi-precious stone necklaces or earrings by local designerMutsuko. Most baubles are well under $100. Don't see what you'relooking for? Many items can be special ordered in specific colors,fabrics and sizes, from towels to rugs to loungewear.
Collective warehouse
Everyone from apartment dwellers to new homeowners and emptynesters can go crazy here furnishing their homes. The massivespace, a former machine shop just off Leary Avenue, is filled witheverything from turn-of-the century dressers to retro lamps andmid-century modern dining sets.
Miller has a keen eye and carries many pristine pieces, but doesn'tshy away from well-used furnishings. "Things aren't perfectwhen they're old," she says. What's more, the character of apiece shines through when the wood is worn, fabric is soft withage, or metals are nicely patinaed.
The warehouse is chock full of sofas, chairs, desks, funky art andmore. You can find a vinyl-covered kitchen stool for $60 or amonkey pod wood table from the Philippines for $450. The prices onmany items are fantastic -- where can you get a well-made chairfrom the 1950s for $75?
Miller has a knack for staging and mixing items so they lookperfect together. Clients often wax nostalgic about the vintagefurnishings that look just like the ones they grew up with."They often say, 'It never looked that good back then,'"says Miller.
Love the couch but not the fabric? Collective offer sustainablefabrics from Design Tex and Soliloquy by the yard, or they canoffer a list of trusted upholsterers and refinishers.
If you're looking for big bargains, visit the last Sunday of eachmonth when furnishings that have been on the floor more than twomonths are reduced 20 to 40 percent. You can also sign up fore-mails that announce sales and newly acquired stock.