With world travel mostly grounded because of COVID-19 this Summer, it’s the perfect time to get into stay-cation mode and seize the opportunity to explore more of your own backyard. I absolutely love a road trip, long or short, because there’s something so exciting about jetting off for the day not knowing what you’ll stumble on and what new memories you’ll make. I’ve been spending this summer with my family in Muskoka (gratitude to the max), and it’s been nothing short of thrilling to get to rediscover my home after 7+ years of city living. We decided to make Sunday our “Adventure Day” and each week we pick a town or village to drive to for an afternoon of exploration. Treasure hunters at heart, we’re always on the lookout for a vintage or antique shop that we haven’t visited before. And what I’ve discovered about Muskoka is that not only is it unique for it’s breathtaking natural beauty, it’s also bursting with incredible antique shops! If you’re planning a road trip this summer, here are 5 vintage and antique stores in Muskoka that you simply cannot miss. 1) Antiques On 11 North Severn, www.facebook.com/antiqueson11 Your antiquing adventure starts on Highway 11 North heading up to Muskoka from Toronto. Located just off the Northbound lane at Severn (between Orillia and Washago), Antiques on 11 is an antique mall with over 50 vendors, covering over 6000 square feet of space. Whether you are a collector, a designer, or a weekend cottager, there’s something for everyone and for every budget at this impressive location. 3823 Campbell Rd, Severn, ON. ASK THE EXPERT Recently, I caught up with Toronto Interior Designer Tiffany Piotrowski, of Tiffany Leigh Design, to find out what she’s always on the lookout for when sourcing vintage and antiques… “I'm constantly out and about sourcing vintage both for my client projects and for my shop, TLD Curated. I launched TLD Curated in June of 2020 as a way to bring my love of vintage to a wider audience. I believe the home is a sacred space, where items and belongings work to create a beautiful life and backdrop for so many pivotal moments and memories. Each item should be functional, beautiful, tell a story, and work towards elevating your everyday life.” Tiffany’s Favourite Go-To Vintage Pieces 1) Antique Pickling Jars - these jumbo jars make the perfect extra large vase for styling dining table and entry consoles! 2) Vintage Milking Stools - they make the perfect perch for soaps (or a glass of wine) beside the tub, and add warmth to the bathroom too! 3) Vintage Ceramic Crocks - these are hot sellers in our vintage shop, and we use them to style clients' open shelving 4) Old Wooden Bowls - I love using these under coffee tables to catch loose items. 5) Brass Candlesticks - these are my favourite around the holidays, but they look great on a mantle all year round. 2) Habitat For Humanity ReStore Bracebridge, www.habitatgatewaynorth.com With 2 locations serving Muskoka (Bracebridge & Huntsville) the Habitat For Humanity Restore is an easy favourite amongst tourists and locals alike. HFH ReStores are home and building supply stores that resell quality new and used building materials as well as furniture and decor that have been donated locally by the community. Not only is it a shopping decision that you can feel really good about (funds generated are used to fund local Habitat for Humanity homebuilding projects + it’s also environmentally conscious as much of what’s sold would otherwise end up in a landfill), but the vintage and antiques that you can score there are insane - and at rock bottom prices. The stock changes minute to minute as donations come in so if you see something you like you’d better snap it up before someone else does. (See the INCREDIBLE set of antique chairs that I scored from the Restore here) 3) The Red Barn Port Carling, www.facebook.com/RedBarninPortCarling/ Anyone familiar with the drive from Bracebridge to Port Carling will recognize this cheerful landmark. The Red Barn houses multiple vendors and a huge selection of stock. Some of the specialties that you will find there include: refinished and painted furniture, antique glass, silverware, antique cottage decor, prints and collectibles + antique hardware. Open seasonally May-Oct, The Red Barn is truly a destination for tourists, cottagers and savvy collectors. 2902 Muskoka Road 118, Port Carling, ON. 4) Vintage Finds And Antiques Torrance, www.facebook.com/pages/category/Antique-Store/Vintage-Finds-Antiques-702535706482170/ It’s worth the drive to Torrance! I literally cannot say enough good things about this incredible shop. Laid out over 3000 sq ft, this sprawling location is overflowing with antique furniture, collectibles, records, nautical items, wall decor and vintage home accents. Great prices, fabulous selection and Lisa, the owner, is so warm and welcoming. It’s just open seasonly so don’t put your trip to Vintage Finds & Antique off too late. 1080 Torrance Road, Torrance, ON. Pit Stop: While in Torrance, swing by Clearlake Brewing for a bite and one of their delicious craft beers brewed on site! 5) B’s Antiques Huntsville, http://users.vianet.ca/fab44/Bs_Antiques/Welcome.html A Huntsville staple for over 25 years, B’s Antiques is filled to the rafters with a carefully curated selection of cast iron cookware, enamelware, antique furniture, paintings, tableware, pottery, porcelain and much more. 234 Lynx Lake Rd. Huntsville, ON. Back To ALL BLOGS