Last week, I had a photo shoot at a fantastic location with a wonderful model. When I told her my idea of doing the shoot at a big warehouse that had a huge collection of old, dusty and rusty architectural stuff, she was intrigued and I was really excited to get her on board. You see, my wanting to shoot at this location actually began several months ago, back in February when my husband and I finally got around to painting our master bedroom and upgrading from a queen to a king size bed. But the change meant needing to find a new, BIGGER headboard. I wanted something unique and unconventional, so I went to Schiller's Architectural Design and Salvage, hoping to maybe find a nice, weathered, old wooden door with some peeling paint. Yes, peeling paint, because I love charm and character (and maybe I'm just weird like that). That's what I wanted (or so what I thought I wanted) and I knew that Schiller's would have something for me.

Now, if you happen to live in or visit the Tampa Bay area and have never been to Schiller's Salvage, you are missing out on a shopping adventure for your home. This is not your typical, average "antique store" -- they have greater and grander things other than grandma's knick-knacks. It is a massive 17,000 square foot warehouse/showroom that looks like an airplane hangar from the outside. But inside, it is a glorious treasure trove filled with salvaged architectural items and one-of-a-kind home decor! From antique fireplaces, windows, and doors...to vintage lighting, artwork, and garden furniture...to reclaimed lumber and salvaged door knobs...and everything inbetween, Schiller's is a fun and adventurous place to visit, explore, and shop!

It has so many things to look and marvel at, you'll definitely want to do several laps to make sure you didn't miss anything. And make sure you look up, down, and all around. But sometimes, if you're really not looking, "it" just might end up finding YOU! Just like this vintage glass light fixture cover did, which is now in my walk-in closet:

Forget reproductions -- Schiller's has the real deal! It's like having all the great, decorative stuff that you'd find at garage/yard/estate sales all in one place. If you like treasure hunting, enjoy repurposing objects, and can see diamonds in the rough, then Schiller's is your kind of place.

They have a great collection of old industrial letters and other conversation-starters for your humble abode. You never know what you'll find -- their inventory is ever changing. I suggest liking them on Facebook, then you can receive updates on whenever they get new stuff. Oh, the stuff!

Husband-and-wife owners Larry and Charlie Schiller specialize in salvaging all of these historical, fun, quirky, and eclectic finds, and they had a huge collection of old wooden doors that were filed like classic novels on a library shelf. Oh the stories these doors could tell. But alas, I didn't find one for my headboard -- because I found something else even better!...

What I found sitting on the floor was an 81" x 27" piece of salvaged white oak, complete with beautiful imperfections, knots, and holes. It was a natural beauty and almost like a piece of art. It was intended to be a tabletop (you know, like on a farmhouse table), but I knew it was my new, king size headboard. It was and is very heavy; not that particle board, MDF junk -- this is 100% hardwood! So home it came with me (narrowly fitting inside my husband's Hyundai Elantra with the backseats folded down), and after securing it to the wall with enough hardware rated for a load of 300 lbs., it is now our gorgeous headboard that no one else has and it looks fantastic in our bedroom!

So after finding my headboard and in the process discovering this ginormous treasure chest of photographic backgrounds and textures bathed in natural light, I knew I had to go back -- to use Schiller's as a backdrop for a portrait session. Because just as Schiller's has so many treasures inside, the location itself is a great find for a photo shoot. Luckily, Larry and Charlie were open to my idea and graciously allowed me to return with my model friend, Rebecca, for our photo session. We had a great time, and I am very appreciative to the Schillers for their hospitality during our shoot -- such a friendly couple! I am really excited to post and share those images with you soon (so stay tuned)...but in the meantime, here is one sneak peek photograph from that session. I really love and am happy with how it turned out!!! Now, go check out Schiller's! And listen, you just might want to bring a truck with you.

To read more about Larry and Charlie and their story, click here.

Visit their website schillersalvage.com