When Brenda Shea rolls up to an estate sale, she doesn’t waste any time. First things first, she makes a beeline for the kitchen to scout for eclectic vintage dishes. After that, everything else is fair game. Cocktail glasses with deco patterns? Candy-colored enamel pots? Charming wicker plant stands? Yes, yes, and yes, please. Brenda scoops up all these treasures and more for Rhodes Reserve, the carefully curated collection of midcentury modern-meets-boho wares that she restores and sells from her home in Ferndale, Michigan. “I like going into the nooks and crannies and finding forgotten items, and then giving them new life,” Brenda says.
Explore the Rhodes Reserve collection
A vintage virtuoso today, Brenda didn’t always have such a clear mission. “It took me a while to figure out what my calling was,” she says. After double majoring in photography and interior design, Brenda spent a decade working for other small business owners, managing their wholesale accounts, running their Etsy shops, and building up valuable hands-on business expertise. Three months ago, she quit her day job to focus on Rhodes Reserve full time, melding the photography and styling skills she’d honed working for others with an intuitive eye for just-right gems that’s all her own.
Read on to find out how Brenda found her way in the world of treasure hunting, learn her tips for styling your home with vintage decor, and shop the Rhodes Reserve collection.

Photo by Patty Rooney
What have your first three months as a full-time vintage seller been like?
The past three months have been a bit of a learning curve! I’m figuring out how to be a one-woman show, how to pace myself and schedule my day. I love doing the thrifting, styling, and photography—but there’s also the behind-the-scenes work of cleaning everything.
I sell a lot of vintage leather Coach bags, which I restore before listing. They’ve made so many styles and colors over the years, so I have a pretty wide array. It’s always fun to see people sift through them at pop-ups to find the one that matches their personality the best. It almost feels like I’m adopting them out to new homes.
How did you get into vintage Coach bags?
I started with a couple of my own, and when I ended up with too many I started selling them. A vintage purse is a cool statement piece, plus they’re very versatile and easy for anyone to pull off. Over time, I’ve gotten good at restoring them and cleaning the leather. They’re not always perfect, but I think their little flaws make them even more interesting. These bags are very durable—they’re not close to done with their lifespans.

Photo by Patty Rooney

Photo by Patty Rooney
What does cleaning vintage leather look like?
A couple weeks ago my whole dining room was full of Coach bags, turned upside down and stuffed with towels, all in different stages of the cleaning process. I actually learned my technique from another Etsy seller who taught me how to soak them in soap and water. After soaking them, it usually takes a day or two to totally dry them out. I keep rotating them and changing out the towels, and then I finish them with a lotion to condition the leather.
That sounds like quite an intense process!
That’s probably the most intense it gets. For glassware, I just put it in the dishwasher or hand wash fragile items. Wicker can be tricky to clean—sometimes I vacuum or soak my wicker pieces. And I oil the wood items. Restoring vintage pieces gives me a real sense of happiness, bringing new life to things and sending them off to someone who is going to love them again.
What pieces do you get the most excited to find at estate sales and thrift shops?
Personally, I love a good cocktail served out of a vintage glass, like a Dorothy Thorpe style with a silver rim. When I find glasses like that, I get excited. Or gold glassware, or anything with patterns or colors. Glassware is something you can have a lot of fun with.
I’ve had conversations with people who say they don’t want to buy nice glassware because they’re scared they’ll break it. But I break stuff all the time! That’s just part of owning things. Sometimes things are going to break and that’s okay—then you can mix and match. If you end up with one piece from every glassware set you’ve ever had, then you have a new set.

Photo by Patty Rooney

Photo by Patty Rooney
Let’s talk classic cocktails. What are your favorites, and what glassware do you serve them in?
I’m definitely a bourbon girl. I have a lot of small glasses that are great for drinking bourbon or Scotch neat. My go-to classic cocktails are an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Brown Derby. You can never go wrong with a citrusy bourbon drink, especially if there’s honey or ginger involved. And now that it’s fall, I love to have hot toddies out of a vintage mug. I have a great one that says “Florida,” with an ‘80s-looking sunset.
Speaking of seasons, with the holidays on the horizon, what are your tips for festive decorating with vintage pieces?
Try switching up your tablescapes. Vintage tablecloths have the best patterns that you don’t see in stores anymore, and brass accents look really good with fall palettes and holiday decor. I also love serving holiday punch in a vintage punch bowl with themed glassware for festive occasions. When I’m decorating for the holidays I go for big, bright, colorful vintage Christmas lights and wreaths. Things like that add an extra touch of vintage style to your special occasions.

Photo by Patty Rooney
What overall trends are you seeing in the world of vintage home decor?
Maximalism and the boho-eclectic look with a lot of textures seem to be really in, which feels reminiscent of the ‘70s, with the shag rugs, patterns, and bright colors. Midcentury modern is also popular, but I think it’s always been popular. If I bring wicker or rattan furniture to markets, it’s gone in minutes. And so is anything to do with plants and planters, especially brass planters.
Your shop’s About section reads, “Every home deserves a balance between old and new.” How do you strike that balance in your own home?
Old things create an atmosphere all on their own. A lot of my possessions are hand-me-downs, like this shelving unit that was my husband’s grandmother’s. She’s 102, currently. It was in her home in the ’60s and my husband’s father grew up with this piece throughout his whole childhood. Then we ended up inheriting it, which I think is really meaningful.
One of my favorite quotes is by Dorothy Draper: “If it looks right, it is right.” That’s what I base my decor decisions on; it’s about a feeling, and it can’t always be explained. It doesn’t have to go by any design rule. If you like it and it looks good, that’s the most important thing.
Follow Rhodes Reserve on Instagram and Facebook.
Photographs by Rhodes Reserve, unless otherwise noted.
52 comments
DeUno from DeUno said 2 years ago
Beautiful shop! Great story! Congratulations on the feature!
Rekomendasi Saham INdonesia said 2 years ago
Nice shop ! would like to buy from u someday
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Very nice shop. Congrats on the feature.
Mary Jo and Rachael from SouvenirAndSalvage said 2 years ago
Nice to see a fellow vintage seller being featured! Great photos and styling. Congrats on the article and best of luck to you in all your future endeavors!
WatercolorClipart3 from WatercolorClipart3 said 2 years ago
Great Collection!
MinimalistArtDesign from MinimalistArtDesign said 2 years ago
I Like it! Great Shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Julia K Walton from FireHorseVintageHQ said 2 years ago
Just my type of shop! You've got a great eye for charming pieces! Congratulations on the feature :o)
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 2 years ago
Beautiful vintage things!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 2 years ago
Great shop! Vintage is an obsession and fun too!
Christina from TheWildPlum said 2 years ago
How wonderful! Congratulations on the fantastic feature Brenda!
Alex Daud from stayinside said 2 years ago
Love this!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Congrats on the feature Brenda! I love your shop and wish you much success! I have some vintage Dooney and Bourke, but I've never thought about Coach. I'm going to have to take a look!
Zalooza from Zalooza said 2 years ago
Love your vintage coach purses! Congrats and have fun on this awesome adventure!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Beautiful shop and great collection! Congratulations on the feature!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 2 years ago
Congratulations on your feature. I love your style and your beautiful shop. So inspiring!!!! Much continued success!!!!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 2 years ago
Gorgeous style, Brenda! Loved reading your feature - best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Oriaku Onuoha-Bean from JewelryByOri said 2 years ago
YAS!!! I love scavenging for vintage finds at our flea/thrift market and 75% of our home décor is thrifted. Congrats on the feature, dear. Well deserved <3
Chiara Vogiatzi from maslinda said 2 years ago
Beautiful selection! And her dog is too cute:)
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 2 years ago
Love them!
bluewine studio from bluewinestudio said 2 years ago
Love your shop :) I'm big fan of vintage item!
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 2 years ago
Congrats ! Anyone else love that pink phone !?
Teresa potts from PottsVintageTraders said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature, what camera do you use , great shots x
Patricia from TheOldBarnDoor said 2 years ago
What a fun and exciting shop. Great feature and it was a pleasure to hear your story
Sunny Day from SunnyDayVintage said 2 years ago
Congratulations on this gorgeous feature!
MaryJaneCates said 2 years ago
Oh, you are awesome. You must LOVE to come to your little shop each day with a bigggg smile on your face. I'm going to look through your site........and thanks for including the darling dog in your brochure. I'm a dog person and it touched my heart when I saw it !!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
Great vintage collection! Congratulations on the feature!
ahmoy T from ahmoy said 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing Brenda's beautiful vintage shop !
Ching and Eng Khoo from Bingkai said 2 years ago
Beautiful shop! and definitely beautiful home you have Brenda ! Love love love ♥
Karly Latham from KRLathamPhoto said 2 years ago
Gorgeous shop! I enjoyed reading about your process! Following on instagram now :)
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 2 years ago
Love this feature ~ homey and true ! Great shop fun read.
Cointrelle Vintage Clothing from Cointrelle said 2 years ago
I love her philosophy on buying, using, and restoring. You can tell she takes pride in bringing value to customers. I wish more vintage sellers took this approach.
Tiana Kotskulich Precious Embroidery from TianaHandmade said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! Great shop and great story!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 2 years ago
WOW! What an awesome story. I love how you take ole and make them new again. Thank you for sharing your story and congratulation on you feature.
Olga Kaplina from KnitteditemsbyOlga said 2 years ago
Beautiful shop! Great photos and styling. Congrats on the feature.
Renee from RandMhandmade said 2 years ago
So many Great items!! Congratulations!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 2 years ago
Great finds, Brenda! Enjoyed reading about your process. All the best!
Honey from TheseAreDaysStudio said 2 years ago
I love. Vintage purses. Your shop is wonderful. ♥
Yasser Sleem from Twins2in1 said 2 years ago
Realy nice listings.
Rebeca from SecretDiamonds said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! Great shop.
Kelly from CedarMillStudio said 2 years ago
Great shop feature! Love vintage shops!
kristine said 2 years ago
Beautiful shop
branda Moreno from branda said 2 years ago
Wonderful items!!! Congratulations!!! :-) :-)
branda Moreno from branda said 2 years ago
Wonderful items!!! Congratulations!! :-) :-)
Carol Bender from BarnshopAntiques said 2 years ago
Congrats on the feature and best of luck going full time. You have a lot of talent and skill.
Katie from StLinenDecor said 2 years ago
Congrats! You are a master of your business. You inspired me today. Thank you
Ana Paula from macraMe said 2 years ago
Congratulations!!! :-) :-)
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 2 years ago
I love you shop, very nice :)
Veronica Costanzo Veronica Costanzo said 2 years ago
I have those ducks! They came from my grandparents house. I love when I come across things that my hoarder family has been holding onto for years.
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 2 years ago
Lovely shop, great feature!
Sharon from YearsAfter said 2 years ago
Beautiful Vintage items and Superb Photography! Love them all and the mirror above the cabinet! Congrats on your V-I-N-T-A-G-E!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 2 years ago
It’s so hard to not over buy stuffs when I go thrifting. I admire this shop owner can make a business out of her interest and keep her place so nice and tidy. Congratulations on the feature!
Pam Mapes said 2 years ago
Would like to see these stores opened. Would like to buy!