The Barn at 17 is 10,ooo square feet of cherry-picked antiques. The stock spans from late-18th century to mid-1950s pieces, and the store is tucked into a little nest of creatively fueled businesses on Murdock Street. The showroom is both enormous and delightfully rustic - it's an actual renovated carriage barn - the staff is extremely knowledgeable and the antiques are of unsurpassed quality. The Barn at 17 was voted 'Best of Boston, 2010' in Boston Magazine. A sister company, Blackstone Furniture Restorers, shares the same property.
This whimsical Davis Square gift shop is the place to find local crafts year-round. Opened by owner Dave Sarkowski in 2006, the work of over 175 New England artists can be perused inside the cheery lime-green space. Sarkowski prides himself on his selection of handmade items and unusual gifts, from fun cards and ironic notebooks to art T-shirts, one-of-a-kind toys and jewelry by independent designers.
Filled to the brim with vintage, refurbished and refinished furniture, Eddie's is home to unique finds as well as bargain mattresses and bed frames. Brightly colored repainted furniture wakes up the crammed space. The staff is knowledgeable and quick to offer advice. Eddie's is easily accessible by car or public transportation.
A-1 owner/founder Fran Fahey is somewhat of a local celebrity having been featured multiple times on PBS's "This Old House" and getting repeatedly mentioned in the The Old House Journal. For the last 20 years, Fahey has been selling antique heating and plumbing installations - he stocks more than 4,500 antique radiators. Being located in the Boston area with all the vintage housing units gives Fahey access to an unusually large stock of radiators, radiator valves, sinks, toilet covers, clawfoot tubs ... even the occasional wood-burning stove.