Finding Architectural Antiques in Memphis

I have lived in some very nice older homes, some over 60 years old. I am always impressed at the quality of craftsmanship that went into building not only the homes but in creating the architectural features and fixtures that add to the beauty and historical fascination of a house. Look at the doorknobs on some ancient homes. They're not just balls attached to a door. They can really be works of art. The wall sconces, chandeliers and lighting call attention to a room particularly. Then too, look at the doors and windows. Some doorways have fancy transoms that served to let hot air escape from a room's ceiling. Anyone who has had radiator heat knows how lovely some of the old radiators themselves could be. And there were also radiator covers, some of which can cost thousands of dollars to purchase today if you can even find them. I had some that were filigreed with shallow metal containers with lids that could hold water in the winter so that a home didn't dry out from the heating. Fireplaces and their accessories draw attention to elaborate mantles and the grates and tools sitting beside them. Iron gates and grillwork outside the house also announce its historical dignity.

Anyone who has ever had to replace one of these accessories knows that finding the perfect fit can sometimes be next to impossible. Doorways, especially, are hard to come by since it's so hard to fit the unusual sizes required. It takes a concerted effort to locate good stores that stock a decent amount of architectural antiques. Antiques are all over Memphis. The Cooper-Young area is full of shops. There are lots of them downtown too. East Memphis and Germantown have their share, so where to start? I've been shopping as some ones in particular for decades and know which ones will tend to carry a decent amount of architectural accessories, as well as the usual furniture, art, rugs, jewelry and kitchen and dishware.

Crocker Antiques and Garden
4548 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
901-763-2826
Crocker's carries many architectural antiques. They have a decent medley of garden ornaments and they can custom design furniture using antique iron. All this is included with their assortment of traditional antiques in their 2,500 square foot antiques shop in the center of East Memphis.

http://www.grahamslighting.com/antiques.html
Grahams, on Cooper St. has antique sconces, chandeliers, and lamps. They're not very friendly, but they do have some lovely antiques.

Common Market
Common Market Inc the
374 S Front St
Memphis, TN 38103-4116
(901) 527-0109
The Common Market is my all time favorite for searching out antique architectural items. The literally have thousands of doors, old windows, tiles, tabletops, doorknobs, sconces and more. Their collection of antique hardware for doors and cabinets in unsurpassed anywhere in the Mid South area. I saved it for last just because it's the very best. A person could almost design a house around what is found here.

http://www.marketcentralmemphis.com/
2215 Central Ave.
Memphis, TN
901-27-2888
Market Central is a great place to wander around looking for doorknobs and all sorts of accessories for the home decorator. It is large enough to find a variety of items and the people are pretty helpful here. I did buy some lovely cabinet handles here that looked like none I've seen anywhere else.

Architectural Stone Works
8749 Caroma Street at Highway 305
Memphis, TN 38654
662-895-0700
This company is a member of the Marble Institute of America, and it has all sorts of granite, marble, slate, and travertine for table tops. I have gone here to buy slate tops for outdoor furniture and was pleased with the service and selection. It's a good place to get material for the kitchen, bath, and the fireplace, too.

http://www.palladioantiques.com/
This is the flagship store for the Palladio Group on Central and Cox just east of Cooper. It has individual tenants' booths with some very interesting architectural pieces like mantles, grillwork, sconces and doors and window.
2169 Central
Memphis, TN 38104
901-276-3808

http://www.thepalladiogroup.com/MemphisWW.html
The Water Works carries stonework, occasionally some antique windows, sconces and doors.
741 S. Cox
Memphis, TN 38104
901-276-3806 http://www.thepalladiogroup.com/MemphisWW.html