I started buying English antiques from some friends in the UK and looking for outlets, such as antique malls. After a while, shop space came available in town and The Odd Chest opened for business. Soon, my friends Myrtle and Sally came on board.  Both of them are antique and collectible specialists.  Collectively, the three of us have nearly fifty years experience buying and selling valuable antiques and decorative collectibles. Over time we have developed a wonderful group of customers and friends, who drop in often to browse and join us for spot of tea, while shopping for their newest family heirloom. And an heirloom is truly what you’ll find here.

I have spent a great deal of time these last few years taking classes on antique furniture care and selection, researching the history of these ancient wardrobes, cabinets and cupboards. I am amazed at the beauty and craftsmanship in the furniture of bygone times. The lovingly applied flame mahogany or burl walnut veneers are beautiful works of art in themselves. I love the smell of the old wood as I pull out a drawer from one of these gorgeous oak or mahogany chests. As much as I love these special pieces, I love even more helping you find your special piece.

Here at The Odd Chest we usually employ professional shippers, but recently I had great pleasure of actually delivering four pieces in and around both Washington, DC and Manhattan, New York, just my friend, myself and my big blue truck. What a great delight it was to watch as pieces fit exactly into the places they had been selected for and see how wonderfully they enhanced their new surroundings. What fun it will be to help you find your newest family heirloom and to share in your delight as you place it in that perfect place in your home.

Each wardrobe, chest or cabinet I select is chosen for both its beauty and its durability. Unlike today’s pressboard and stapled pieces, furniture from The Odd Chest is very often handmade by English craftsmen. Each piece of The Odd Chest furniture is solidly constructed from oak, mahogany, English walnut or other woods. Most of The Odd Chest pieces date from 1850 to 1940. With proper care, these pieces will only increase in value. To help you keep your special piece in top condition we carry a full line of Briwax furniture restoration and preservative. A can of Briwax, especially chosen to enhance and preserve your special heirloom piece, will be shipped along with it.

Finally, I am pleased to say that our shop has a real old world atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. If you are ever in the Gordonsville area, please stop in for a cup of piping hot P G Tipps, genuine English tea. It will be treat to have you visit. Tell us you found us on the web and you will receive VIP treatment and special pricing on any purchases.

If you are too far away to drop in for a cup of tea, we still want to send you some of The Odd Chest hospitality. Your heirloom piece will be shipped along with your own box of P G Tipps, the famous English tea. Try a piping hot cup, and you’ll never drink American tea again.

In addition to the Briwax and P G Tipps, your piece of furniture also comes with my personal guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with it you may return it to me up to a full year from the date of purchase for a full refund of your purchase price. Just let me know within 7 days of receipt of your piece and we will arrange for you to ship it back to us. If I have misrepresented the piece by describing it incorrectly I will also refund your shipping cost. Even though we have carefully chosen our shipping company for their integrity and care, I will also fully insure your piece for any damages in shipping at no additional cost to you.

Bring the warmth and old world charm into your home. Select your heirloom from The Odd Chest Today.

And be sure to come see us if you can. Remember, "It’s always teatime at The Odd Chest."

Shirley Mawyer