I got a tip from a Lookiloo reader about 3 months ago.  Janice said in her email, “There is a fabulous store in Pacific Grove. Diamonds and Rust.  It is a delightful mix of antiques, shabby chic and Italian religious items.  It is well worth a look when you’re in the Monterey and Carmel area.”  So after a horrendous week, I called my Mom to see if she was up for a little Lookilooing in Pacific Grove.  And Lucky for me, she was.  We headed south and watched the skies clear.  Just what I needed.

As we pulled up to the storefront I was immediately taken by the building itself.  Built in 1924, originally as the Grove laundry, it has since been remodeled for retail space.  A large garden arbor is front and center, as you enter.  It’s not overpowering, since the ceilings reach all the way up to the second story.  Treasures fill every corner.  Carolyn Baylor rents space in Diamonds and Rust and was gracious enough to give us a tour.  She works with Denise Castagnola, the resident designer and they have the space upstairs.  You will find truly beautiful things.  I loved the over-stuffed chair and the bedroom vignette.

Susie Montgomery and Marilyn Buck have owned Diamonds and Rust for five years.  They’ve been friends ever since their kids met at daycare, twenty years ago.  They did some traveling and after a trip to Italy, decided to go into to business together.

“The focus is on French and Italian items,” Susie said.  I asked Susie what their personal styles were like.  She replied, “I like the frilly, girly and pretty things and Marilyn likes the Victorian gypsy.”  And I heard Marilyn add “tattered Victorian gypsy,” from the other room.  What a great description of style.

Susie let me in on a little secret.  They are getting a new neighbor and hopefully the new shop will be open by March 1st.  She said Trellis is moving in.  It is the perfect compliment to the shabby chic and antiques at Diamond and Rust.  Hey Mom, are you up for another trip to the coast?

Diamonds and Rust
472 Lighthouse Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 658-0488
www.diamondsandrust.us

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Here’s the complete slideshow:

This entry was posted on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at 10:25 am and is filed under Desiree, Home Decor, Looki What I Found, Shopping, Store. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.