Vintage Rose

Vintage Rose started out as just another antique shop. But its proximity to Heard’s Gardens nursery in Westminster has helped it evolve into a unique country garden gift boutique.

The store, owned by Cathy Jarrell, sells vintage fabric accessories, garden furniture, window boxes, wooden garden carts and a variety of gifts for the home. Many items are handmade and custom orders are welcome.

There are garden arches, tables and trellises made of willow, wicker patio furniture and hand-painted birdhouses. The items are displayed in a cottage-garden landscape designed by Mary Lou Heard, who owns the nursery next door. The arrangement makes it easy to picture how each element will look in an actual garden setting and to get ideas for one’s own garden.

Inside, Vintage Rose resembles a playhouse. The whitewashed wooden structure’s tiny rooms are filled with needlework pillows, hand-quilted footstools, rag dolls and tea sets. The resident cats--Bullet, Doodie and Molly--stretch out near the register or chase butterflies in the garden.

Several months ago, Vintage Rose opened a tearoom, complete with stenciled floors, antique linens and, of course, fresh flowers. The teas, catered by the Victorian Dessert Co., are held five times each month, and reservations are required. Variations include British high tea, a Russian tea or an Anne of Green Gables tea.

“Each theme has a different menu,” said Jarrell’s daughter, Jeannie Clayton, who works at the shop. “The teas are becoming quite popular and we’ve recently added another date,” she said.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Address: 6424 Maple St., Westminster

Telephone: (714) 373-4547

Miscellaneous Information: Teas are scheduled for June 4, 12, 18, 20 and 27. Call for information and reservations.