Alternative Furnishings provides items that are off the beaten path

By Brandi Hart
McKinneyUpdate.com editor
Created at 11:30 p.m. on March 2, 2009

Nestled in the heart of downtown McKinney lies a place where people can find gifts, home decor items, art, and unique merchandise, all in one place called Alternative Furnishings.

Owner Charm Cameron has operated the store for the last 11 years, which is currently located at 105 W. Louisiana St., and Cameron describes the various merchandise as an eclective mix of antiques, architectural remnants, jewelry, and original art pieces.

"I've always wanted to open a shop because I've always been a collector," Cameron said.

She has everything from 1880s British Colonial pieces from India furniture, old iron gates, and elaborately decorated wooden door frames, and religious art pieces that feature angels and Mary as the Madonna.

In October, Cameron brought in interior designer Jennifer Spak, Susie Norton, a jewelry designer, and Diane Smith, a faux finish painter to be housed at Alternative Furnishings and help customers with their design needs. Spak, Norton and Smith are antique collectors and have known Cameron for years.

"I think the world of them," Cameron said about Spak, Smith and Norton.

Spak, Smith and Norton have also built new pieces from existing discarded antique pieces. Spak specializes in more English and French style painted interior design and pieces, and vintage jewelry pieces. Because she and her coworkers reuse discarded jewelry pieces fond at flea markets, antique shows and other places, Spak says they are helping the environment by reusing pieces.

Pictured above are Jennifer Spak, Susie Norton, and Charm Cameron, pictured in center, who work at Alternative Furnishings, a store that has been housed in downtown McKinney for the last 11 years.

"I think we're definitely green because we bring old pieces to life," Spak said.

The store has always been located in downtown McKinney and has been in three locations.Cameron grew up in McKinney and has put a lot of herself into her shop, such as her own artwork and paintings that she created, she said.

Alternative Furnishings is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or by appointment. For more information, call 972-547-0721 or visit www.alternative-furnishings.com .

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