By Shanna Smith-Snyder
If you haven’t been antiquing in
Abilene, well then I’d say, “It’s about time.” Personally, I enjoy refinishing furniture and love the challenge of attempting to turn the old piece into something shabby chic. So, a hunt to find another fixer-upper, coupled with a suggestion from a loyal reader sent me right into It’s About Time. She told me that women come from all over Texas and stay the night at her Abilene guesthouse, just to shop at this store the next day.
Owners and business partners, Pam Sumrall, Susan Pittman and Terri Whipple will agree. Their customer base drives in from Fort Worth, Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland/Odessa and even as far south as Fredericksburg just to see what they have in store.
What I found most interesting is that It’s About Time is not just your average antique store. They actually sell many new items, and you might recognize well-known brands such as Volcano Candles, Nouvelle Candle Company and Tokyo Milk Perfume as you walk amongst the rooms. I think one of the most fascinating and appealing factors about the store is the way in which they display their merchandise. These ladies say that while everything is for sale in their store, they are also selling ideas — ways to display old things, yet incorporate new trends into a room or even an entire home.
“Not everyone gets to start with entirely new stuff or new furniture, so we like to teach our clients and shoppers how to display and organize what they already have with a touch of something new from our store,” Sumrall says. “We enjoy inspiring others to decorate with soul, to breathe new life into a room and to incorporate the art of wabi-sabi,” the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and accepting the natural cycle of age and time.
You will definitely see this theme carried throughout the three rooms in the store. As you look around, you’ll see that it is all about contrast. Mixing the shiny with the matte, rustic with elegant, organic with formal … you get the idea. Overall, the store has a very good and warm energy. It is bright, eclectic, antique — yet fun! While visiting Abilene, a stop at It’s About Time is definitely worth your time! You just might find the perfect gift, personal home accessory, or even a larger item — such as a chair, desk or mirror — that you just can live without.
It’s About Time: 1395 Albany St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 325-692-7239.