Treasure trail: antiques and vintage shopping

Our obsession with antiques is one of home and place, the heirlooms bringing history and heritage into our homes and lives, but there’s a contemporary urge to reuse and recycle that’s just as captivating.

The sustainable way to shop, giving life to pre-owned items rather than purchasing new, is a decision for your soul, wallet and conscience all at once. Fortunately, beyond the region’s rich natural treasures lies an abundance of a different kind that will satisfy the most ardent vintage bounty hunter.

Here are some of the best places to head if you fancy an afternoon of yesteryear fossicking.

Busselton is wall-to-wall with op shops including Vinnies, ADRA, and the Red Cross. The beauty of a regional op shopping experience is that there’s still a decent chance you’ll stumble upon a find before anyone else snaps it up.

On Prince Street, The Shabby Duck Studio is home to décor, gifts and jewellery, but it’s known for expertise in furniture revamps, selling all the goods and providing tips to give old pieces new character with a lick of specialised paint, some fancy knobs (they have thousands) and a sweet stencil or two.

Around the corner on Queen Street, Haymar Antiques are in the business of one-off and handmade antique jewellery. They also rehome a large collection of fine china, furniture, sewing items and flatware. The dealer has acquired several Victorian prints and rare crystoleum art, romantic pieces produced for a short time in the 1800s. It’s a family-owned business with over 40 years’ experience in the world of curios and has been an institution in Busselton since moving down from Perth 25 years ago.

At Skigh Wine on Abbey’s Farm Road, vinyl enthusiasts are treated to a variety of old and new school records to flick through in the converted barn cellar door. The beauty of this shopping stop is that you can enjoy the aftermath of your purchase on the lush lawn with a glass of Skigh’s finest.

Down the highway and Cowaramup springs up with its colourful and eclectic retail strip. With a lean to all things Western, Reborn Code is a blend of classic vintage and playful modern, stocking clothing and accessories with plenty of personality.

Cow Town is also home to a large Lions op shop which frequently makes the list of best southwest second-hand stores. The trinkets here range from practical to bizarre and it’s easy to get happily lost in your own search.

At LucyKat Vintage & Vinyl it can feel like you’ve stumbled into the attic of the coolest parents on the planet. Their range of vinyl includes a variety of genres and artists, so set aside a decent amount of time to flick through the titles. Snag yourself some musical collectables or get those LPs spinning with vintage turntables, speakers & hifi equipment.

For the fashion forward seeking a new (old) outfit, Freo’s Yeah Vintage is in town, bringing a little sister south to Margaret River with all the old school threads and retro t-shirts owner Jade carefully curates.

Seven minutes south, there’s a clear passion for retro quirky at Witchcliffe’s The Flying Wardrobe, with a melting pot of crockery, books, furniture, clothing, glassware, ceramics, toys, garagenalia (for the motoring enthusiast), jewellery, cameras and more. The team is always looking for new stock and anything goes in this rabbit hole of vintage surprises.

Tiny Witchcliffe also boasts The Tiny Store, tucked in the rear lane of Lake Street and offering something for everyone, including furniture restoration and beautifully tended potted plants that adorn the shelves. The store’s owner Jo is also the brains behind the annual Witchcliffe Vintage Fair each November.

The last stop north to south has to be the Ragged Robin, not least because you can finish off with some homemade cake in a haven of sweet collectibles. The joy of perusing a cosy array of furniture and antiques with Bob Dylan on the speakers can only be topped off with superb coffee and a toastie.