Upon entering Something Different II on Main Street in Fredericksburg, I am struck by the eye popping colors and fabulous looking furnishings everywhere I look. I have to stop and just stand for a moment - taking it all in and deciding which way to go first.
Valerie Durst, proprietor, has long been known in town for her great taste. When we moved here 14 years ago, she owned a clothing store by the same name, "Something Different" . Local shoppers, as well as tourists who came to town just to shop with her, frequented the classic store.
To the dismay of many, she closed the store after a number of years and went on to do other things. Life changes and a love of art and home furnishings has brought her back, and man, oh man, is she back!!
Valerie has opened yet another amazing and beautiful store chock full of case goods, pottery, art, lamps , rugs, and anything else you can think of that is interesting and delightful for the home. I especially love the selection of Gorky Gonzales pottery from Guanajuato in Mexico. You may remember that it is one of the Mexican potteries that I have collected for years, and this shop will definitely be a weakness for me in this department.
This sign would have made a splendid Valentine for someone. I did show it to my husband one night through the window, but I guess he thought the sentiment and seeing it through the window was quite enough........
Valerie is very much an international shopper and she can't keep these telephone wire baskets from Zimbabwe in stock. Aren't they fun?
Of course, she has to have a few fashionable things to wear and these belts with Frida Kahlo and religious icon buckles are great looking.
Sweet.......another would of been good Valentine sentiment - actually a good sentiment anytime.
Love the pillows, love the tables and chairs, and of course, love the square Italian platters..........
Valerie has mixed in some vintage with new, and this old iron plant stand comes alive with the red pottery. This table is full of different sizes and shapes of this yummy red pottery.
Textile hangers from Indonesia..........who knew?
Of course, being the pillow addict that I am, I love the mix of color on the black and white zebra print settee.
For those who like a more neutral palette or things of an organic nature, great wooden bowls , woven baskets, and seed balls.
I am wild about this toile chair, one of a pair, as well as the wonderful rectangular sconces flanking the mirror. So handsome!
........and I will take the drum chandelier, too, thank you very much!
These are kind of hard to see, but the table and the chairs are woven wire to resemble bird's nests - love 'em!
Traditional as well as classic modern pieces are mixed together all through the store.
Art as well as rugs and accessories are blended in every corner and I had to walk through several times to even begin to se everything.
I
........love the sillouette of this beautiful lamp.
Cute striped slips on these chairs with a great mix of pillows.....ooh, and look at the great lampshade!
Love this boxy chair - one of a pair. Many of the upholstered pieces in the shop are made by
Rowe.
Each piece can be custom ordered and Something Different II has over 800 fabric samples from which to choose.
I am not usually a fan of artificial plants, but these succulents are very real looking.
Gotta love that color!!
I noticed this very handsome sconce hanging on the side of the door - the tag says "Brimfield" which tells me that Valerie found it on one of her treasure hunting trips. Really, really nice..
A peek into one of the big front windows to see one of many colorful displays ..............
This is the view from the front door - just a glance around told me I needed some serious browsing time here.
Oh my...............beautiful Robin's egg blue leather chairs.......yum.
A modern version of a penny rug - all bright and bold with a modern circular table sitting on top
Uh oh - I am in trouble now. Valerie just got in a big shipment of pottery!
I really don't buy any more of this particular pottery unless is I see a piece that is very different from what I have or one that is very unusual
..........but aren't these big lidded jars and the orange pitcher so pretty mixed with the Mexican pieces on the wall?
Did I say I don't buy this pottery anymore? Who am I kidding?
A closer shot of the table with the blue leather chairs........ and the table set with more great pottery - this time black and white stripes with brilliant colors and animals.
Valerie regularly shops in Mexico in places like San Miguel de Allende, Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Guanajuato and Mexico City, as well as our markets in Los Angeles and New York. I am looking for a spot in my house for this fabulous carved wood and tin lantern from San Miguel.
She carries fabulous lanterns, candlesticks and lamps. She also has wonderful Balinese folk art pieces cut from steel drums that she cannot even keep in stock, they are so popular!
I visited the shop last Saturday, Valentine's day, and the goodies at the front counter were quite picked over! Still a few treasures for those late shoppers, though!
Did I mention beautiful glass vases and whimsical chickens?
...............colorful side tables and multicolored orbs (sometimes "orbs" sounds better than "balls"!!)
So, the next time you find your self in the neighborhood, do stop in to visit this great addition to our shops on Main Street. Meanwhile if you have any questions or want to shop by phone, call 830- 997-2734, and any of Valerie's friendly staff will be glad to help you!
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