As a transient young adult who is as far away from home ownership as the Brewers are from this year's pennant, I'm no huge fan of furniture shopping. It's garage sale season, after all. Why not just pick up a couch from the grandma down the street? "Seriously," I remember my teenage self saying to my mother after one long afternoon at Ethan Allen, "who cares about this stuff?"
Apparently the staff of Iconi Interiors on West Washington do, and with a vengeance. More important, they make it cool and easy for you to care, too. Owner Coni Marotz, a former rug buyer at Sergenian's, has compiled an eclectic mix of new and recovered home furnishings and gifts that inspire anyone to transform their home into a Breakfast at Tiffany's-style party pad. The look is understated luxury - class with a wink. Up to 80% of the products are vintage or reclaimed, and there is an emphasis on creating one's own, unique home environment.
In addition to the wall of vintage lamps (average price: $60 - I particularly loved the leopard-print shade) and one-of-a-kind vintage sofas and martini glass sets, Iconi carries several retail lines that allow the buyer to pick the details. With Slip lamps, you have the choice of both the shape and the color of the base, as well as the shade pattern. From seafoam green to the most earnest beige, there's something for everyone. Same goes for Surya rugs and the Bliss Living bedding line.
I cha-cha'ed across the display floor as '60s lounge music played overhead, picking up a vintage wallet ($20) and giggling at The Party Encyclopedia book resting on an end table. The sweet salesclerk who rang me up bore an uncanny resemblance to Audrey Hepburn, which somehow was no surprise.
