California Historical Design

We made a special trip from up North to see this shop. We were not disappointed!
The selections were varied and all in very good condition. The shop keeper, Gus, was very knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful, and welcoming. We felt at home and very relaxed not like some antique stores where there can be a stuffy air about them. We left overwhelmed with more than we expected in choices. We would definitely purchase here and highly recommend CHD.

My husband and I were looking for months all over the Bay Area for the antique craftsman style rocker that would go with our home décor. I was almost 9 months pregnant and we were coming down to the wire on a rocker. Finally found Gus at California Historical Design. Not only did he have the most elaborate and impressive selection of Craftsman style furniture, but he had a nice handful of rockers as well (which we’ve found very difficult to find). He wasn’t pushy at all and seemed genuinely interested to making sure we loved what we bought. He worked within our price range and was agreeable to an exchange for store credit if we didn’t love it after placing it in our home. Needless to say, we’ve kept the rocker and have had very fond moments in it with our new little girl!

This store is like a museum — only better, because everything is for sale!
The Mr. and I searched high and low for a dining table and chairs for our Craftsman home. It was a tiresome, fruitless journey from one dusty antique store to another, on both sides of the Bay. I will admit that I was surreptitiously eyeing Restoration Hardware catalogs toward the end there, thinking, «Well, maybe this fake French apple cart table is as good as it gets.» Dark days, my friends.
Walking into California Historical Design, you’re surrounded by a stunning collection of Arts and Crafts furniture and décor. No glossy reproductions or faux crackle. The real deal. This is not a bargain hunter’s paradise, but we are beyond pleased with the dining room table and chairs we bought. I think they’re a good investment — in my happiness, certainly, and probably financially as well. And they’re just lovely. And now people can eat dinner at my house without having to balance a plate on their lap.
Gus, the owner, is passionate about his merchandise and the people who built it. He shares information happily, making trips to his store really fun. He’s also meticulous about the pieces, delivers for free (!), and keeps a consistently-​updated website with photos of all his merchandise. He’s a true professional, and that’s reflected in the beauty of his merchandise and the rapport he has with his customers.
If you’re looking for jaw-​dropping furniture or an amazing art piece for your home, you have to come here.
PS,
We had trouble finding this place, because the Unilocal reviews were not SEO optimized. OH, how I wish I’d discovered it sooner! So let me just say this: Craftsman furniture, vintage furniture, antique furniture, Craftsman dining table, Craftsman chairs, Stickley, Roseville pottery, Craftsman tile, Dirk van Erp, Arts and Crafts. Amen.

Beautiful shop. Antiques. I dropped in while they had an exhibit of an artisan who works in Copper. You should go at least to see the furniture design. It’s like a museum in there. Very high quality.

The guy who runs this store, which I think is a one-​person show, is SO nice. I’m sure that Meghan A. must have confused this store with one of the other 3 or 4 antique stores on this corner (she mentions a salesperson saying they sell 17^th-​19^th c. furniture, whereas this store only sells Arts & Crafts movement pieces which by definition are 1900 – 1920). And seriously — the guy is incredibly welcoming. We came in with our 2-​year-​old and when I tried to keep the kid from touching anything or sitting on the chairs, the owner insisted I let him climb and sit on them. He was all around extra-​gracious. As parents, it was wonderfully refreshing not to be brushed off at a higher-​end shop just because we have a kid with us.
We didn’t buy anything but the selection of authentic A&C era pieces was inspiring and lovely. I’m sure we will be back and expect we will eventually acquire some things for our craftsman house!
Note that the hours are odd — by appointment and on (some) Saturdays? You can join his mailing list to be notified of open times and new acquisitions at the somewhat obscurely named
.

Conversation between my boyfriend and I and the salesperson
I was greeted by…
Sales Associate: «Good afternoon sir, are we just moving to the neighborhood, let me be the first to welcome you here»
Me: «No, we are furnishing our house»
SA: Well, sir I believe you may have come to the wrong place we have furniture from the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th century. Please feel free to look around, it never hurts to do so, however if you are looking for something on the lower end, you have come to the wrong place.
SA: Feel free to look around, just put these white gloves on, please sir put them on both hands. Judging from your t-​shirt you can not afford anything in this place.
SA: If you are furnishing your house I suggest you head to Ikea.
Actually, the flea market across the street might be a better bet for you. Judging from your dented pickup truck .
SA: Mam please don’t touch anything, these items cost more than your monthly paycheck.
If you don’t mind I have some Facebook adjustments to make and would like to get on with it.
I hope you both have a lovely day and find some furniture in your price range.
Cheerio!

If you’re shopping for genuine, top quality Arts & Crafts era furniture, then California Historical Design is for you.
They sell ORIGINAL pieces, not replicas. Most of their inventory is Gustav Stickley furniture, and they have a variety of beautiful antique tables, chairs, plant stands, lamps, vases and wall sconces. It’s an antique lovers paradise — perfect place to outfit your California Bungalow!