Bernie’s innate sense of design, along with Dan’s background in art and music, are important keys to their success. Bernie has a sharp eye for details and the ability to create delightful rooms and vignettes from the objects she and Dan find at estate sales and local auctions. Dan’s ability to uncover unusual objects, furnishings and musical instruments adds lots of creativity and fun to this business. They both enjoy the hunt.

They have a nicely edited collection from every era—from turn-of-the-century through the 1970’s—and not everything is antique (over 100 years old), which makes this place a stand-out. They find mid-century chairs, tables, but also retro pieces from the 1950-70’s which are perfect for re-purposing and adding to modern décor. The range of merchandise is what is most appealing but also being able to find pieces that can be recycled into new use. Their unconventional picks of the exotic and mysterious has always brought me back to find what’s new.

The front of the building beckons you from a busy road as it is stocked with outdoor lawn chairs, old signs, iron and glass tables, wagon wheels, iron elements, bells, and decorative Christmas lights. Some noteworthy items I saw on a recent visit include the following: a pair of iron entry gates, a trumpet horn lamp, an Annie Oakley chair, funky estate jewelry, vintage hats, green painted wicker barrel chairs (in great condition!), French painted cupboards and tables, old golf clubs, lovely mandolins, violins and guitars, even an eerie wicker viewing casket (used for home viewings, of course) which they found through a local funeral home. That is surely the most distinctive item I have ever found in an antique shop.

Please click through the slideshow to view the shop interiors and merchandise. They use lots of local resources so you are assured of a Virginia lineage on much of their inventory.

Flint Hill Vintage Antiques & Collectibles: 714 Zachary Taylor Hwy. Flint Hill, Virginia, 22627, 540-675-1900 , Hours: Thurs-Mon: 11-5, Sat: 10-6, and by appointment, www.flinthillvintage.com, Owners: Bernadine Olsen and Dan Lewis