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Home / Decorating ideas / decorating misc.

Antiques on Second antiques mall, Milwaukee — 45 photos

pam kueber - March 4, 2014, Updated: March 4, 2014

pam kueber There was antiquing, there was crafting, there were overpowering tiki drinks, and there was vintage Leonardo diCaprio on DVD. Yes, after nearly two years of working together, Kate and I finally met in person. We have some projects up our sleeves, so last week I flew from Massachusetts to Milwaukee to spend a few days with Katiedoodle at the Retro Ranch. Kate and her husband Jim were wonderful hosts. High on our have-some-fun-too agenda: A trip to check out the Antiques on Second antiques mall.  The store was FABULOUS — 200 dealers on three floors covering 37,000 s.f. We closed the joint down.

 Antiques on Second antiques mall, Milwaukee

Antiques on Second is quite the destination — well organized, well staffed, full of old stuff, including lots of 1950s, 60s and 70s, my favorites. Definitely a place to hit if you are in or near Milwaukee and in the mood for treasure hunting. Kate and I looked at everything — we were well matched as shopping partners — and it took us almost the entire day to go through this place, I am not kidding! The store opens at 10 a.m. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. We broke for lunch at 12:30, were back within an hour, and really, still were not quite through at 5 p.m., closing time.

ransburg canistersAbove: This set of vintage Ransburg kitchen canisters looked to be in amazing shape. I am pretty sure that there are many readers here who would love to acquire these beauties. I could design an entire kitchen around them!

raymor bullAbove: I really should have snapped up this little Raymor bull. I was not really in the buying mood — mostly because I did not want to schlep breakable stuff back home with me. 

christma angelsAbove: I still have not shaken off my Kitschmas madness. There was a good stash of vintage Christmas decor, at reasonable prices, up on the third floor.

chalkware swanAbove: There were a pair of these Miller Studios chalkware swans for $19 total. They were in great shape.

danish modern coffee tableAbove: A lovely little coffee table with Brasilia-esque lines. Overall, I thought the prices were good at Antiques on Second.

IMG_3754Above: Oh my goodness, look at those little sand owls. Or what do you actually call this craft? I am not sure. This piece of art was in terrific shape, too. Not dirty at all.

Oh, it came to me: Gravel art. There is a second, coordinating piece in the slide show below – wonderful!

IMG_3752Above: Antiques on Second has three stories of dealers. It is chock ablock with treasures. Your head will be spinning. You cannot even focus after a point. I looked up and saw this TV light — I love the piece of glass behind the deer — this piece must look interesting, lit up.

jewelled christmas ornamentsAbove: Jewelled Christmas ornies. I should have bought these, drats! 

NOS kitchenwareAbove: New Old Stock kitchen serving tools — complete with hanging rack and in original box. As I recall, this was $29.

paper mache christmasAbove: Falalalalala, papier mache angels.

retro-vintage-antique

…. And nuns. 🙂

retro-vintage-antique-2Above: These are anodized aluminum ice tongs with advertising messages.

vintage ice skatesAbove: Vintage Wisconsinia. Too sweet!

vintage-lamp-2vintage-lampvintage lamp 1970sAbove: Throughout the store, pairs of lamps could be had for $50-$100, singles, for less.

vintage owl plaquesAbove: Hoo wouldn’t love this place, that’s what I want to know.

vintage plantersAbove: Small vintage planters in lovely colors.

vintage-globsWhat catches my eye? The sweet, the odd, but especially, the colorful, kitschy and outrageous!

Slide show of vintage finds from Antiques on Second

Tip to using slide show: Click on any image, it will enlarge, use arrows below image to move backward or forward; you can start at any image.

chalkware-swan
christma-angels
danish-modern-coffee-table
christmas-pinecone-elves
img_3752
img_3754
retro-bead-art-wall-hanging
paper-mache-christmas
raymor-bull
retro-vintage-antique-2
retro-vintage-antique
vintage-globs
vintage-ice-skates
vintage-lamp-1970s
vintage-lamp-2
vintage-lamp
vintage-owl-plaques
vintage-planters
vintage-ransburg
bean-bag-chair-retro
disco-ball
enamel-pot
flamingo
img_3711
pair-of-1950s-lamps
vintage-christmas-decor
retro-kitschmas-crazy
retro-christmas-elves-pinecone
retro-christmas-sugar-cube-house
retro-christmas-house-decor
retro-asian-figurines
retro-bedside-table-lamps
retro-record-needles
vintage-sheepskin-coat
retro-sheepskin-coat
retro-viking-ship-wall-art
salt-and-pepper-shaker-vintage
shelf-display-2
shelf-display
vintage-barkcloth-fabric
vintage-lamp-bases
vintage-paper-lantern
vintage-peacock-tv-light
vintage-spice-rack
yardstick-shelf

CATEGORIES:
decorating misc.

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42 comments

Comments

  1. Leah says

    April 15, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    I know this story is a month old, but I’m curious if you got to go to At Random? Really cute bar, definite time capsule, I think it’s looked the same for at least the last 40 years, probably longer.

  2. Suzanne says

    March 19, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks so much for shopping our antique mall. It’s a wonderful way to spread the news about Milwaukee’s best kept secret for antiquing. I am a vintage clothing and MCM dealer, yes, the Curley Tibetan Lamb coat is mine along with the unusual bolt of fabric. I love vintage patterns and fabric and have tons of it so if you are looking for something special like drapery or fabric to make pillows or reupholster something let me know. I’ll be more than happy to take some photos and ship it to you.

    Thanks again for spreading the word! Love your blog and will keep on following you.

    • pam kueber says

      March 19, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      ooooooooooooooooooh, we loved your booth. I wanted the fabric, but really didn’t need it….

  3. Lisa Hicks says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Hello, I love going to antique craft malls and was wondering if you know of any in michigan? They only one I know of is in sterling heights, MI. I know you do alot of research for us so could you let me know? I saw your milwaukee story but was wishing there was one closer to me. thank you in advance for your help.

  4. Joe Felice says

    March 9, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    WHAT???? I assumed you aregood friends and work together personally. It never occurred to me that Kate “telecommutes.”

    • pam kueber says

      March 9, 2014 at 3:32 pm

      Yup. We had never met in person until last week!

  5. Marie says

    March 9, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    I haven’t read all the comments so forgive me if this repeats someone else’s suggestion, but you two MUST visit the Columbus Antique Mall in Columbus WI http://www.columbusantiquemall.com/ It can take two full days to really see it all.

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