If we were playing word association and I said to you 'antique store' - what would spring to mind? 'Dark'? 'Old'? 'Musty'? Trust me when I say that Perth's freshest newcomer to the antique store scene is anything but. 'Cool' would be a more apt way to describe this corner store of treasure troves, opening tomorrow in Fremantle!
Its name is Second Empire Antiques, and it’s the little sister (the one with long hair who goes to gigs and has an Imgur account) of esteemed Northbridge store Empire Antiques, which opened in 1993.
FIFTH GENERATION ANTIQUE STOREKEEPER: Jen Aslett, Second Empire's "Co-Honcho". All styling and photography Meghan Plowman of The Orchard.
Second Empire will open tomorrow on beautiful and historic Hampton Road in Fremantle (if you remember where Ardeco was – that’s the spot!) and what makes this place different is that it’s not fuddy-duddy antiques for oldies. Here is an antique shop that will appeal to generations of all kinds.
It’s a family-run business - owned by Derek and Bernardine Aslett, who are helped out by their kids Jen and Liam. Liam conveniently lives next door to Second Empire, and Jen lives down the road. Jen and Liam grew up, as you would expect, in a house filled with old things. “Our house had beautiful furniture but as soon as you would get attached to something you’d find out Mum and Dad had sold it!” says Jen .
Antiques are this family’s genes – English-born Derek’s family has been in the furniture business since 1900 in Dover. So Jen is a fifth generation antique storekeeper. She left her job as a barista to work at Second Empire. “I knew I would do it (antiques) eventually but I didn’t think I would get into this so early – I thought I would be like 40,” she laughs.
PICTURE TAKERS ON A PICTURE LINE: Cameras from the 60s to the 80s line the shop’s 1920s picture rail. On top of the Louis XV corner cupboard is a Mistral fan. Styling and photography by Meghan Plowman of The Orchard.
GAHHH! One of my favourite things in Second Empire... this vintage bar cart. You all know how I love my bar carts! Styling and photography by Meghan Plowman of The Orchard.
Derek and Bernardine hadn’t been planning on opening a second antique store – it just kind of happened. “Earlier in the year, Dad was looking to buy a house as an investment property and he happened to come across this place – a shopfront with a house out the back,” says Jen. “He said, “We could open a second shop in Fremantle!’” She shakes her head but smiles. “I remember at the time he said, ‘It will be easy!’ ”
CAREFULLY COLLAGED: I think that in Victorian times people were sentimental, romantic kind of souls. For many it was a bit of a hobby to decoupage, making collages from lithographic pictures carefully cut out from magazines and newspapers to cover things like furniture, jewellery boxes and dressing screens, like this one. I remember reading about Victorian decoupaged room dividers in an old book when I was a kid (when most other kids were probably reading The Sandman) but my visit to Second Empire was the first time I had seen one in real life, so yes, I admit I was kind of bewitched #nerd. But there’s something so enchanting about it - it’s nice to think of some elegant young lady in a long dress from generations ago, carefully sitting by a window cutting pictures from magazines and gluing them to her dressing screen. It is kind of like the yesteryear equivalent of today’s teenager blu-tacking One Direction pictures all over her bedroom door. I so would have been one of those decoupaging girls if I had lived in Victorian times. Um, just like I know I would be a Directioner if I was 13 right now. Styling and photography Meghan Plowman of The Orchard.
BRIGHT IDEA: Jen made the floor lamp herself using this awesome oversized bulb where you can see the filaments. Mr Nerd would love it. I’m thinking Christmas present ideas already…
MID-CENTURY MODERN LOVE: Store owner Derek says he shies away from using the term ‘vintage store’ to describe Second Empire, because the term ‘vintage’ has been bandied around so much lately, its true meaning has almost been lost. So instead, he tells people just what kind of wares they have. It’s a carefully edited collection of retro goodies, antique furniture and mid-century modern, and spans things like a French oak Arts & Crafts whatnot (oh and I laughed when I heard that, but I actually learned something new; a whatknot is a stand with shelves for small objects!) Styling and photography by Meghan Plowman of The Orchard.
If you love mid-century furniture, 1970s ceramics, Victorian furniture – next time you are in Freo, pop in. This place has pull. Even as I chat to Jen and Meghan shoots, passers-by poke their head in through the door and say, “Oooh, have you just opened?” I ask Jen what clientele she wants to see when they open tomorrow. “I want everyone to come in, all day – all kinds of people and ages,” she says. “It’s a shop where it’s not just antiques for old people – there are so many things younger people would like.” Maya x
Second Empire is at 84 Hampton Road Fremantle and opens tomorrow! Call 9430 8878 and support this new small business by liking their Facebook page here.
STOREFRONT LOWDOWN: SECOND EMPIRE ANTIQUES
THE OWNERS
Derek and Bernardine Aslett, assisted by their children Jen and Liam Aslett
THE VENUE
A 1920s corner store with house out the back in Fremantle
THE WARES
A blissful mix that spans mid-century modern, 60s and 70s kitsch, Victorian classics and antiques with wares for every generation. It’s not just big purchases too - there are some small affordable gift options.
THE NERD VERD
Forget any preconceptions you may have about antique stores. Second Empire is a beautiful, carefully considered edit with wares for every generation.
CONTACT
Second Empire Antiques is at 84 Hampton Road, Fremantle. Like them on Facebook, call 9430 8878.
STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Meghan Plowman of The Orchard
