Entry No. 11: Among the Teacups and Treasures of Cape Cod

Well hello, Darling.

This blog post is about a recent visit to Cape Cod—and a question that came to mind as I wandered through the most incredible antique shop I’ve ever seen in my life: Why does Cape Cod have so many top-tier antique shops?

If you’re from New England, chances are you’ve taken a short or long vacation to Cape Cod during the summer. Cape Cod is quintessential New England with its beachy towns, tasty seafood, and world-famous ocean views.

I’ve been going to Cape Cod since I was a little girl, and this quick mini trip was just what I needed as I start to work my way back into being visible—like a diamond unearthed. My family and I enjoyed the beach, seafood, and shopping, and I was in for such a treat.

I visited the biggest antique shop I’ve ever gone to in my life.

This antique shop appeared to be an old home, with several off-shoot rooms crammed to the brim with antiques of all sorts. I’m talking artwork, clothing, vintage tea sets, vintage furs, decor—and so much more.

I literally turned to my husband and said, “This place deserves me to come back for the express purpose of going through each room over the course of several days.” There was just that much stuff.

It seemed like every time you thought you had seen enough—

Whoa, here’s another room.

Whoa—and another one.

Whoa, what’s this back here?

Oh my gosh, more stuff.

It was crazy.

What I love about antique shops versus vintage shops is that antique shops really just carry anythingthat’s still in usable to excellent—or even new—condition, as long as it’s vintage. Whereas a vintage shop typically has a different level of condition and is more hand-curated.

And that hand-curation, I think, is what drives up the price.

Many of the things I found at this antique shop would have cost three to four times more elsewhere.

I’m talking Wedgwood china, all kinds of teacups and matching saucers, full tea sets, vintage mirrors, stoles, leather jackets, boots and shoes, vintage sewing machines, vintage record players…

I mean—it did not stop.

I’m sure there were probably some records there too—I just didn’t see them!

This shop also had clippings from vintage magazines. I scored several pages featuring stars like Ingrid Bergman, Liz Taylor, Lena Horne, and more.

The Lena Horne clipping is what drew me in.

I had become weary—

One, because there was so much stuff that I couldn’t decide what to buy.

Two, I was hot and tired.

I was ready to go sit in the car, but my husband said, “Hey, you didn’t see this,” and brought me to yet another room.

There were hundreds of magazine clippings from the 1940s onward.

I couldn’t see everything, so there may have been earlier clippings too.

I’m talking feature articles, ads about stars and celebrities of the time, as well as ads for lingerie and hosiery, food and beverage, cars, and so much more.

It was a smorgasbord—and I don’t even use that word, LOL.

Of course, I couldn’t leave empty-handed.

I purchased several 1940s and ’50s magazine clippings (including that stunning Lena Horne one), and the most divine pair of vintage blue gloves in my signature color. They’re elbow-length leather gloves—absolutely elegant—and though they’re likely from the late ’80s or early ’90s, they were brand new and pristine. A gem of a find.

At another nearby shop—which wasn’t even a vintage store, but had antique items sprinkled throughout—I picked up a Sarah Vaughan vinyl record (yes!) and a few Cape Cod-themed wall decor pieces. They weren’t old, but they felt old in the best way. That kind of timeless charm you can only find when you’re not really looking.

The shop that swept me away?

It’s called The Antique Center of Yarmouth, in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts — a true treasure trove tucked off the road, and a must-visit for any romantic collector passing through Cape Cod.

I already know I’ll be returning soon — not just to explore more for myself, but to begin offering a curated selection of vintage teacups and curiosities for kindred spirits like you. These will be one-of-a-kind pieces—once gone, they’re gone—and I can’t wait to share a few of my finds through my shop in the coming weeks.

Since I’ve been to Cape Cod many times, I had a thought that I needed to Google to understand:

Why does Cape Cod have so many antique shops?

I mean—they’re everywhere, and they’re packed to the brim.

We went go-kart racing (which really meant I just watched my family go go-karting), and right next to the track was an antique shop.

We went out to dinner—antique shop across the street.

We went for a stroll—yep, antique shop there too.

They were everywhere, and even some of the smaller boutique shops had antiques on their shelves.

What I found on Google was this: because Cape Cod is one of the earliest settlements in the U.S., and the people who lived there had higher incomes, there are lots of antiques available—some dating back to the 1700s and 1800s.

And I can absolutely agree.

I definitely saw several items that looked to be about 200 years old.

Now I’m trying to decide when I’ll get back out to Cape Cod so I can do more antiquing.

I’ve recently started stocking my built-in china cabinet—which is so funny.

I remember growing up, my mom always had one.

She’s a Southern lady who used to keep a sitting room/parlor (later called the living room), which was a fancy room just for entertaining company.

We were not to go into that room—it was filled with tons of breakable items.

Which is a crazy concept, understanding how many kids she had roaming around.

But we didn’t break anything.

She put the fear of God in us.

On her china cabinet, she had antique Chinese tea sets with no handles in the most beautiful designs. I would literally, without touching, study them for hours trying to figure out—

How did they make it?

How did they get such beautiful, bright colors?

She also had all kinds of plates and porcelain.

And I’ve started building up my own china set as well.

I have beautiful vintage plates that we actually eat on, including ones for summer that are clear with embossed designs of fruits.

I also have “tea for one” sets with a teapot, teacup, and matching saucer. The teapot is designed to nestle within the single teacup, and it is super cute.

When I first got it (I ordered it on eBay), I didn’t understand what it was. I thought it was a little pitcher—but no! You actually take the pieces apart to make yourself a cup of tea.

In fact…

I feel like making myself one right now.

I have other teacups too, plus many vases—and even authentic tea from England.

I have a cute trio of London-themed tea tins and a pretty blue tea chest, both gifts from my daughter’s boyfriend, who is from England.

I also have an adorable English countryside tea towel showing where he lives and where his grandmother lives—closer to the sea.

I want to get back to that antique shop to grab more items to fill up my tea chest.

Eventually, I might need a standalone one—just like my mom always had.

She had a glass-fronted standalone china case, and I swear I don’t understand how we didn’t break that thing, with me and my siblings rough-and-tumbling all through the house.

But I guess we knew what not to rough and tumble with.

Anyway…

Have you ever gone antiquing on Cape Cod?

Have you ever been to Cape Cod?

Do you have a china cabinet—or do you know anyone who does?

If so, let me know!

You can also tag me on Instagram @danisimonecouture or @bydanisimone. I would love to see and check out your tea collection, as I’m building quite the collection myself.

Until next time, my fellow romantic collector…

With Love,

🩵Dani