Our Favorite Off-the-Beaten-Track Antique Shop

I’m going to let you in on a little secret today. It’s a vintage/antique shop in a town you’ve probably never visited, and it’s wonderful—not just for its inventory, which is well curated, but for its prices. They are easily half what I see at shops in cities and more touristy areas, not to mention at Brimfield, which seems to grow pricier each year. Here’s the shop, White Home Collections.   It’s located just off Route 101 in Wilton, New Hampshire, about 20 minutes down the road from Yankee’s offices, and I must have driven by it hundreds of times without paying much attention. Then my colleague, Heather Marcus, mentioned that she had sourced some great vintage ironstone serving pieces and other props there for a photo shoot. I went in and fell in love.

  The store is a dealer’s co-operative with 45 different venders all packed in and around a rambling old white farmhouse.     There’s a nicely styled mix of vintage, antique, and new items, heavy on French country, shabby chic, and vintage American.     The third floor has lovely displays made from old bottles and ephemera.   And did I mention the prices? This pair of porcelain garden stools was on sale today for $55. I paid more than that for a single stool from an online retailer.     I loved this metal cafe chair, priced at  $38 for a pair.     French-style linen napkins: 4 for $12.95.     If you’re a fan of Ironstone or transferware, here you’ll find casseroles in the $20-$30 range.     And this vintage dresser with mirror was $199.     Don’t miss the outdoor items on the porch and in the side yard, either.     I love these little garden ornaments made out of old china.     Once a month—the third weekend, to be precise—the store holds special themed markets at its sister property just down the road, and the prices there are even more irresistible. I went to the “Wicker, Wood, and Metal” show this month and picked up an vintage ottoman for my living room for $25. September 20-22 will see a “Vintage Home” market and there are always a gorgeous Christmas decorations at the November event—as well as a line, so arrive early. So now the secret’s out. At the risk of overcrowding my favorite secret source, I highly recommend a visit (and I’m not a paid spokeswoman). It’s just  about 1 1/2 hours from Boston, via Route 3.  Stop by on a leaf peeping road trip. Just don’t tell all your friends.