The Antique & Design Center - A Fabulous Collection of Antiques and Gifts

This treasure of a store is tucked away off Route 17 North in New Jersey about 45 minutes from Manhatten. The store looks deceivingly small , once you enter there are rooms and rooms of merchandise. The Antiques & Design center is owned and run by Lorraine Kliewe. Lorraine was originally in the computer business and then discovered her niche in antiques. Her taste in furnishings is impeccable which means as a customer you wll find endless treasures inher store..Lorraine is friendly and very knowledgable and will work with you as though she was your personal shopper if need be. Her staff is the same.Pat for one, is a wealth of knowledge.You have them walk you around as you describe your needs and they will find you just the right piece for any room in your home, gift for a new baby, wedding gift, anniversary gift and that gift will be incredibly special. She will also wrap gifts.

Before you even enter the store you see all the fabulous Old English or Victorian garden furniture, planters, signs and the like, gorgeous flower arrangements, stone or ceramic pieces all geared for your garden. In the fall there are beautiful ceramic pumpkins large and small, wonderful wreathes, topiaries and more. She sells Shabby Chic, Period pieces, decorative accessories, chandeliers and jewelry. She has a lovely collection of wrought iron pieces with a French flare.

Walk into The Antique & Design Center and every inch is packed with beautiful furniture, sliver settings, pillows, armoires, chests, tables, lamps and china. Anything and everything you would decorate a fine home with. Beautiful items that will become family heirlooms. Be sure to leave yourself a good amount of time to look at everything, there is so much to see. Lorraine carries fine linens, wonderful mirrors, gorgeous rugs and more. There is a selection of room sprays, soaps and creams by The Thymes that give the entire shop a delightful scent.

The front check out displays little crystal items, wonderful jewelry and the like to look at while you're checking out. Lorraine accepts check and credit cards. She will deliver and my sister and I furnished my sister's home in Florida with with several large gorgeous pieces that Lorraine worked with us to arrange to have delivered. Lorraine will also buy items. She attends estate sales and auctions so make it a habit to stop in regularly to see what's new.

One room is designated the children's area with charming paintings, painted furniture for a child's room, rockers, high chairs, lovely blankets that can be personalized, soaps, shelves, hooks, pillows and the like for decorating a childs room. I've gotten every one of my grandchildren personalized baby blankets here.

Walk through the many rooms and you will see lovely vignettes set up to display the furnishings and accessories beautifully. This makes it so easy to imagine how an item will look in your home. In the very rear of the store , beyond the first couple of rooms.are some of the really large pieces. Beyond this is the area where Lorraine's brother works repairing and restoring pieces. Lorraine also has access to very talented people who will build pieces to order out of antique parts or from scratch.

The shop is so pleasant, so well stocked and has such nice people working there it is a pleasure to shop there. If you are looking for something very special, something you aren't going to find by the dozens in an ordinary store, something to really make an impression on the receipient this is the place to come. If you are furnishing your home or adding to the decor come here and have personalized attention and a selection that cannot be beat in price wise or quality . If you've inherited an estate or want to sell some old family heirlooms Lorraine will give you a fair price and some great information on your items. If you just want to spend some time browsing arouond a lovely, lovely shop without any pressure come to the Antique & Design Center.