If every picture tells a story, then every room speaks volumes. Does your home convey the warmth and emotion of your family? Whether your vibe is cozy comfort, peace and goodwill, fun and playful, or any combination thereof, you can elevate the look and feel of your décor with a visit to South Pointe Vintage on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods.
The shop is a treasure trove of vintage, one-of-a-kind items curated by owner Gina Piscopo, including antiques, art, rare finds, handcrafted jewelry, and gifts.
The stock is always being updated, the result of fresh acquisitions from around the U.S. and Europe. The crown jewel of Gina’s collection is more than 3,000 vintage posters and lithographs, most of which trace their provenance to Nancy, France.
Visitors to South Pointe Vintage have the advantage of expert advice from Gina, who has a lifelong passion for all things vintage. “These are statement pieces that can elevate the look and feel of your home, bring warmth and flair to what you already have,” she says. “It’s a way to show off your personal style with something that is unique to you that nobody else has.”
A lithograph offers a pop of color with a three-dimensional quality. The result is a textured look that can add depth and warmth, Gina points out. Lithography is a form of printmaking introduced in the early 19th century, known for soft, fluid lines and rich shading. The process begins with etching an image on a stone or metal plate, then using chemical processes and a press to transfer that image onto newsprint. They became the earliest ad billboards, lining the sides of buildings in cities across Europe. Those advertisements are collectors’ items today, and many artists, such as Leonetto Cappiello, are highly sought. Gina has a number of Cappiello prints, in pristine condition, and iconic brand images on display in her shop. Lithographs are a great investment, more affordable than an original oil painting, and they continue to appreciate over time.
“Every lithograph tells a story, which makes them very well suited to Grosse Pointe homes that date to the 1920s, 30s and 40s,” Gina points out. “A well chosen lithograph or vintage poster can really complement the style and flair of a room, whether it’s Mid Century Modern, Traditional, Contemporary or American Colonial.”
Gina will deliver a framed piece to a prospective client’s home so they can see how it looks in their intended space.
“This is what I love to do. I travel all over the U.S. to find things that I’ve never seen before, or that I just have to have because it is in pristine condition and truly unique,” reports Gina, who has additional finders in Europe. She goes on buying trips six times throughout the year. Her life partner owns Bix Furniture Service in Saint Clair Shores, which means she has access to expert craftspeople to restore any find to its original beauty.
“There is no one else around here who has the inventory that I have,” Gina says. Clients include Le Suprême brasserie in the Book Tower in Detroit, and local interior designers in search of that special piece for a client. Gina worked in healthcare for many years, deciding to put her love of design to use by opening South Pointe Vintage in 2019.
“I have always had an eye for little treasures,” she reports. She was born and raised on the east side, attended Regina High School, and then Eastern Michigan and Wayne State Universities.
“I chose to open my store in Grosse Pointe because this is my community, and we have so much history here. So many of the objects I sell have a special feel to them. I love finding them and sharing them,” she explains. “There is a quality to one of a kind pieces that you can’t get from something that is mass-produced.”
Establishing South Pointe Vintage was a natural next step. Items are priced as low as $20 and go up from there, with literally hundreds of pieces on display. One-of-a-kind gifts include, for example, a hand-blown Polish octopus glass dating from the 1940s and a bottle opener made from Mother of Pearl in the shape of a fish.
The shop itself is fun to explore. The 1400 square-foot space houses cocktailware, vintage bar and gift items alongside restored lamps. Retro 1950s and 1960s hits play on a fully restored stereo console that belongs at home in a Brat Pack photo shoot from Las Vegas in its heyday. Visitors enter a soaring foyer constructed of reclaimed Tennessee barn wood strung with vintage lights of hammered metal. The cash register is a working National dating from the 1930s.
The highlight is the gallery of vintage lithographs and posters with plenty of tabletop area to spread out for viewing.
Browsing is encouraged!
South Pointe Vintage is located at 19517 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods. Hours are 11-5 Wednesday-Thursday; 11-6 Friday; 11-3 Saturday. Telephone: (313) 499-1855. Check out the lithographs and vintage posters in the online gallery at: www.southpointevintage.com
“A well chosen lithograph or vintage poster can really complement the style and flair of a room, whether it’s Mid Century Modern, Traditional, Contemporary or American Colonial.”