Hampden antiques and design store relocates to bigger space
Inside the new location of Antique Exchange Interiors, vibrant rugs burst with intricate patterns and jewel-toned hues lay across polished wooden floors. Vintage cabinets hold delicate porcelain figures and brass chandeliers deliver a warm, inviting glow.
After 30 years in business, largely operating from a narrow Hampden building, owners Wesley and Tom Finnerty have moved to a larger location at 6118 Falls Road, adding space for the treasures they source and and their custom design services.
"Here the parking is so much better; parking is a nightmare in Hampden," Wesley Finnerty said. "We have people that are so excited that we're moving here, they say, "Oh, I can finally go to your store," said Wesley Finnerty.
The new location marks the third spot for the business.
In 1997, the shop was located on Wyndhurst Avenue, and the owner at the time asked the Finnertys if they wanted to buy it. They took the plunge, but now call it "a tiny little store" packed with "old lady" antiques.
When they moved to Hampden, the business expanded, offering estate clean outs, interior design services, consignments options, and appraisals.
That menu of services "is a big help for people who are downsizing, moving, combining households, [or] have a parent who's passed away," Tom added.
The Falls Road location — a renovated former single-family home – has allowed Wesley to expand her interior design services, an extension of the store's consignment and antique offerings. Over time, she said clients began seeking her advice, not just for individual pieces, but for guidance on integrating these finds into their homes.
"I like to balance new and old in my design work," Wesley said. "I have clients across the board, some super modern, but we still might stick in an antique rug or a case piece," Wesley shared.
Her approach is centered around the client's needs, creating spaces that reflect individual styles rather than adhering to a prescribed aesthetic.
"I like being a designer who does not impose a signature style. Nobody is going to walk into a house and scream that I did it," Wesley added.
As Wesley focuses on design, Tom's complementary role ensurse that consigned items are evaluated and presented effectively. Their collection is diverse, with Tom attributing this variety to the unique consignments they receive.
"We definitely don't specialize in one thing," he explained. "What we have in the store completely depends on consignments, which makes it fun because you never know what you're going to find."
Before leaving Hampden, the Finnertys needed a major rebuild of the Falls Road property. The building was in severe disrepair, on the market as a "teardown." Walls showed the wear of decades; paint peeled in rough patches, and floors were littered with empty boxes and scattered debris.
When the Finnertys took on the challenge, they saw beyond the grime and envisioned a place where antiques could shine against a modern backdrop.
"When we first saw the building, it was —well, rough to put it mildly," Tom recalled with a laugh. "There was no insulation, holes in the ceiling, and everything was covered in dirt."
Over more than a year, they replaced walls, updated flooring, and meticulously restored the rooms, bringing the light back into the space that had long been hidden under dust and neglect.
The building's old bones now serve as a beautiful contrast to the polished decor.
The Finnertys say they welcome the opportunity to continue serving their clients and their staff. "It is just very gratifying," Tome Finnerty said, "when you help people."
Joe Mesa is a student at Loyola University of Maryland
