Home decor and furniture found in Quonset huts

The Quonset huts at 660 W. 17th St. in Costa Mesa were temporary

army barracks during World War II. Today they house an eclectic mix

of antiques, gifts and home accessories stores.

GIFTS FROM EAST

TO WEST

It’s All About Me is the newest store to open in the Quonset huts

at unit 24. Owner Nancy Stern offers wholesale gifts to the public.

The three aspects featured here are original local art, antiques and

as much local jewelry as possible.

Unusual pieces include Thailand temple rubbings; whimsical chairs,

statues and screens; Chinese watercolors and antiques; and table tops

made from the same mosaic artist from the Wolfgang Puck restaurants.

Jewelry selections include lanyards for glasses, looping pearl and

beaded necklaces, and crosses on beaded chains.

Stern selects some pieces from New York, and has two buying trips

scheduled to Paris, Greece and Turkey. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment. 660 W. 17th St., No.

24. Information: (949) 246-6016.

CLOSEOUT PRICES ON

HOME DECOR

Here 2 Day Gone 2 Morrow specializes in home decor accessories

closeouts. With more than 20 years buying experience, owner Elaine

Turney can buy closeouts directly from the factories. Merchandise is

priced so low. The furniture comes from Indonesia, all mahogany, no

particle board used. Examples of prices are woven silk pillows at

$14.99, Shabby Chic-style mirror at $19.99, scented candles at $4.99

and party lights at $9.99. There’s a lot of retro Hawaiian

merchandise, sea grass chairs, framed art, lanterns, bowls and trays.

Everything is attractively displayed. Open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday at 660 W. 17th St., No. 25. Information: (949)

631-1620.

RESTORE AND COLLECT

Super-talented Sam Kutz of S. Kutz Ltd./Angle 3 Studio has

combined a vintage restoration business, collectibles from the 1920s

to 1960s, and a tiny art gallery featuring his paintings. Kutz has

more than 20 years experience as a silversmith, and he restores

vintage clocks, waffle irons, bicycles, fans and more. Check out his

prices on silver restoration. Kutz says his prices are lower than

most. The eclectic shop also carries jewelry, vintage magazines,

books and records. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call for Saturday hours. 660 W. 17th St., No. 38. Information: (949)

515-3494.

BIG DEALS ON TEAK FURNITURE

John E. Limited is a specialty store for wholesale reclaimed teak

furniture from Indonesia. Everything is purchased in Borneo, Sumatra,

Java and Bali and refinished. The biggest attractions are its

finishes in blacks, reds and browns. The store is primarily known for

its extensive mirror line. Dining tables, day beds and benches are

also available, including one of a kind pieces, too. Open by

appointment. 660 W. 17th St., No. 28. Information: (949) 246-3002.

COTTAGE STYLE

Prices are phenomenally low for cottage style furniture, antiques

and gifts at Bits & Pieces. Owner Daphne Haymond carries a big

selection of vintage and new gently distressed white painted

furniture some new china, lamps, accessories and children’s

furnishings. Super-friendly Haymond will shop for those who are

looking for something special. Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday

through Saturday at 660 W. 17th St., No. 21. Information: (949)

631-1004 and www.bitsnpieceshome.com.

Decorative arts

Sharmon Miller Studio is an architectural and decorative arts

specialist. Miller can do fresco and faux finishes, Venetian plaster,

gilding, custom wallpaper, custom frames and furniture. By

appointment. 660 W. 17th St., No. 29. (949) 722-9882.

EVERYTHING FOR HOME DESIGN

Swee’Pea Home is where to go for one-stop home design. Owner Keely

Kay can help with all design decisions, from one room to remodeling a

whole house. The business offers custom window treatments -- woven

woods, grass weaves, roman shades and draperies; custom sofas,

chairs, ottoman and chaises; high-quality fabrics and an extensive

catalog of lamps, shades, quilts and occasional tables. Open by

appointment. 660 W. 17th St., No. 23. Information: (949) 645-9140.

LESS THAN RETAIL

Owner Arnie Nedelman of Tradewind Imports selects Tommy

Bahama-style teak; mahogany and sea grass furniture and prices

everything less than retail stores. All of the furniture is imported

from Indonesia. Teak pieces can be used indoors or outdoors. Open

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 660 W. 17th St.,

No. 37. Information: (949) 515-3870.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.