It might be easy to miss
Xavier's 20th Century Furniture just west of Michigan Central Station on Michigan Ave., but once you go in it's hard to forget. The three-floor, 3,000-square-foot building is packed with some of the most unique and stylish mid-modern furnishings from the last century's most notable designers.
The shop is run by Xavier Slade, who has operated the business for 25 years, the last 13 at its current location. After studying art at Wayne State University, Slade decided that opening a furniture shop could both satisfy both his artistic appreciation and financial needs. "Furniture is an art and an investment -- it appreciates," he says. "How fun is it to spend your money on something that is worth less after you buy it?"
Inside Xavier's 20th Century, the space is filled with Machine Age Art Deco and Mid-Century modern designer goods, including tables, chairs, lamps, and accessories. Additionally, there is a large selection of modern pottery and Italian and Scandinavian glass, as well as work from local artists like WSU professor Louise Nobili. With everything it has to offer, it's no wonder Xavier's also rents out its goods for movie prop rental.
There's also an environmental advantage to purchasing vintage and antique goods. "There's no destruction of the earth to make something if it's already here," says Slade.
Xavier's 20th Century Furniture is located at 2546 Michigan Ave. and is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Call 313-964-1222.
Source: Xavier Slade, Xavier's 20th Century Furniture
Writer: Ian Perrotta
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