Shopping for style at Antique Du Village @E :Finding furniture you can live with

I visited the shop with two colleagues on a warm spring day, and followed the drive to the back where we found his workshop and a smaller version of my friend’s dining table. Upon meeting Tim I immediately understood my girlfriend’s feelings. He’s a charismatic, intelligent man whose passion is contagious.

The Antiques Du Village is located in a brown and cream house that’s been converted into part day spa and part antique showroom, in Pointe Claire Village. After our tour of his workshop, he walked us back up the drive, to the showroom entrance, located at the side of the converted house.

The space is filled with reproduction and antique furniture. A photo album with pictures of sold pieces brought in by clients, rests on a table beside an old cigar box and the faint scent of massage oil, from next door, lends itself to the relaxed atmosphere.

The furniture is designed for real life. He shows great pride in the people he works with, as well as the furniture he surrounds himself with. You’ll find solid wood pieces in a variety of styles, but I noted primarily Early American. You can have pieces customized by size and finish or work with Tim to create something unique.

One of Tim’s biggest pet peeves is when people spend a fortune on renovations, then fill their space with cheap furnishings. He believes that if you love your pieces, they will match. Essentially he’s right. We all have a style or look that we prefer, and will end up gravitating toward objects with a common theme. Really, it’s when you start questioning your instincts or listening to outsiders that your design gets muddled.

Check your decorator at the door, bring in your measurements and allow yourself to fall in love with the pieces in your home. But watch out; owner Tim Thomas is so charismatic you may find yourself inviting him over for dinner. Have a personal style question or interior design conundrum? Have a great local style resource? Please send them to me . . . we want to hear from you! Send e-mail questions, comments, insults or complaints to jakdesigns@live.com