Show and Sell

You started your day with some elegant House Crashers and just wrapped up House Hunting your way through Chicago. After an 11-hour HGTV/DIY marathon, a look around your living room shows you're not the only one who's tired.

Soon you’re online. The redecorating plan: make a big Color Splash with a little Sweat Equity. All your research shows the Design to Sell, centers around a few gorg, unique pieces: stuff you won’t find at big box furniture stores.

Next thing, you’re brushing up on distressing furniture tips at 1 a.m. when theRenovation Reality hits. Your DIY skills are more like DI-why try?

So here’s a way to get your own Secrets from a Stylist: with a trip to the Magnolia warehouse in Kakaako. The boutique’s owner Maggie Parks has filled 5,000 square feet with antique furniture she loves, but has no room to display in her Kahala Mall shop. And this weekend, she’s swinging open the doors to the public for the very first time.

Each one-of-a-kind piece was hand picked by Parks on her treasure hunt through just outside of Manchester, England. Most were made by hand in the19th century. Inside the bare bones warehouse, you’ll find sideboards in mahogany, silver display drawers in ebony, and a range of chairs carved in walnut and pine.

Parks does not usually finish or reupholster her finds; so you can tailor them to your tastes without paying to rip out what someone else has done.

Meaning when youCash and Cari, you’ll get a big Bang for your Buck.

Now that’s how to become a Design Star.

The Magnolia Antique Warehouse Open House is Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at 420 Keawe St. After that, viewing is by appointment only. Call 808.734.2200 or e-mail magnolia@magnolia-hawaii.com for more information.

June 2011 update: The Magnolia Antique Warehouse has moved to 445 Cooke St. and is open by appointment only.  Call 808.734.2200 with questions.