where to shop consignment

Houston design expert shares 3 consignment shops stocked with premium pieces

Spring forward is upon us once again. That means it's time to spruce up around the house.

Temperamental plants are returned to the gardens, and we take a somewhat cautious inventory of our closets. Even the most committed procrastinators among us remove any lingering reminders of winter and the holiday season.

In my 19 years as an interior designer, I still find myself bemused that spring, not fall, is always my busiest time of year. I think people hesitate returning their holiday decor to their Rubbermaid prisons not due to the labor aspect of the chore, but because so many associate any idea of décor with a gateway to feelings of nostalgia for the holidays. Why do we love them so — usually because so much of it is collected over time, inherited from special people and places, and it just feels good. Once it’s all put away, clients inevitably make the same call — that their houses “feel empty.”

Thus, I present my three interior designer-approved, go-to places guaranteed to carry pieces that have stories of their own to share with guests year round (looking at you, arm chairs from the original Houston Club). No need to put those away when the days get longer. Best of all, they're built to last.

Upper-Kirby Consignment, or "UKC" as it's known colloquially, is the spot to shop for gently-used, mostly bespoke furniture and décor from many of the finest homes in Houston. Overstuffed silk upholstery is no stranger here. Now that it’s almost peony season at Trader Joe’s, the store usually has an always-classic ginger jar or elegant vase to accompany those stems.

UKC owners Colleen Smith and Peggy Strode are the queens of local sourcing. "We are often asked where the pieces in our shop come from. The furnishings, art, and decorative pieces are all from Houston homes. We make house calls every Tuesday to see pieces and learn their provenance — every piece has a story,” the duo tells CultureMap in an email. (2912 Ferndale St. 77098)

Designers Furniture Exchange is a place I love for sourcing more traditional pieces from famous manufacturers - think Theodore Alexander and the like. A common gripe among those who prefer a full dining set is how difficult it can be to shop consignment—definitely not the case here.

Also, I love that their proprietor, Mike Frank, posts video tours of their newest pieces on their Instagram account almost daily. Not only do they make my day, they let me know when it’s time to visit to snag a new piece. (5701 Richmond Ave. 77057)

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The Guild Shop is a place where savvy Houstonians really can find it all. As a ministry of The Church of St. John the Divine, the store receives arguably some of the best donated items in town.

I have been known to spend an entire morning fawning over their inventory. I could write an entire piece on their glassware alone; their shelves span everyday drinking glasses to gilded, etched crystal. Fancy an affordable tea service along with a cart to accompany that “new” set? The Guild Shop has it covered. I will be forever obsessed with a smoked glass baroque mirror I found there in the most beautiful pastel yellow. (2009 Dunlavy St. 77006)

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Share your latest finds with Emily by emailing her at emilycharlottecotton@gmail.com.

Photo by Rachel Alyse Manning

Upper Kirby Consignment sources from Houston's top homes.

interior designer shopping

Closure News

American Freight furniture chain closing all 7 Houston-area stores

American Freight

There's a big sale going on at American Freight.

There's a huge sale on furniture going down right now, but for a sad reason: American Freight, a chain of furniture stores operating in dozens of states, is permanently shuttering all 328 locations, due to “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges,” according to its parent company.

That includes seven stores in the Houston area.

The closing comes after its parent company, Franchise Group, Inc., filed for bankruptcy protection, according to documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

Store closing sales began on November 5, both online and at its 328 locations. Hilco Consumer-Retail is managing these sales for American Freight as the business winds down its operations nationwide. Significant discounts are being offered on the brand's full assortment of inventory.

Shoppers can save up to 30 percent off the lowest ticketed prices storewide. Available items include living room sets, bedroom furniture, dining tables, and a selection of scratch & dent and new in-box appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers.

New inventory is arriving and expected to move quickly, so customers should take advantage of this prime opportunity to enjoy exceptional deals before it's too late.

"Our goal is to deliver outstanding value to customers during this full chain closing sale," said Ian Fredericks, CEO of Hilco Consumer-Retail. "Everything is on sale and must be sold, and we recommend shopping early for the best selection."

During the store closing sales, select American Freight financing and delivery services will remain available to customers, presenting a unique opportunity to shop exceptional discounts with the convenience of flexible payment and home delivery.

The chain has 39 stores in Texas, including 7 in the Houston area:

19750 North Fwy, Spring
3267 E Broadway St #16, Pearland
11051 East Freeway, Houston
20750 Gulf Fwy, Webster
5901 Griggs Rd, Houston
11687 Westheimer Rd, Houston
1002 TX-340 Loop, Bellmead

Sale Details
They're offering up to 30 percent off the lowest ticketed prices on furniture, scratch & dent, and new in-box appliances. Discounts are valid in stores and online. All sales are final, of course. Shop now for the best selection while supplies last.

american freight closings