The look and feel of Red Rover Alley, an eclectic home décor and gift store, is decidedly French. So French, in fact, that black-and-white-striped fabric adorns the walls while accents that are for sale pepper the store with those little romantic touches often found throughout the cottages of the European countryside.
In fact, some of the hand-carved, gently loved doors and windows sold here came precisely from the European countryside.
Red Rover Alley's proprietress, Rachel Miller, left public relations behind to follow her heart and open her dream store. She orders many of her products from European wholesalers who find antique furnishings, art, statues and old doors and windows throughout Europe's smaller towns. House fixtures with handsome, carved features such as front doors and storm-window coverings are easily transformed into tables for the dining or family room: a piece of glass over the top of just about any antique door makes for a great conversation piece. People also hang them in lieu of art and some say they make great headboards. (Yes, we've spent some time watching home improvement shows lately. It happens.)
But don't get too excited before looking at the stickers. These eclectic pieces will cost you a pretty penny. A couple of storm doors with an elaborate floral design inlaid into the wood were going for about $1,000 each.
Red Rover Alley isn't all about selling seemingly discarded doors and windows; it also carries everything from perfumed moisturizers and home fragrances to handmade embroidered purses and hats, antique and new sports-related furnishings, some pretty cool dog items and the super-cutest baby gifts ever assembled, plus a fun line of inspirational jewelry. Chicks will dig this store.
Red Rover Alley is all about home embellishments and great gifts for just about everyone on your list, with some impulse buys spread throughout the store for good measure. It's well worth a look-see—especially for those looking to get a little Euro-stylish.
Red Rover Alley, 8390 W. Sahara Ave. 255-9070.
www.redroveralley.com.
Anne Kellogg is a native Las Vegan with a thing for purchasing stuff. E-mail her at
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