Antique Shopping on the Chicago North Shore: A Local Guide

The Chicago North Shore has long been one of the best places in the Midwest to shop for antiques. Its historic homes, established neighborhoods, and design-conscious residents have created steady demand for furniture and decor with real history behind it. For buyers who care about craftsmanship and character, antiquing along the North Shore is as much an experience as it is a way to furnish a home.

This guide walks through what makes the area special, how antiquing differs from town to town, and what to look for in a shop worth your time. If you are searching for antique furniture near Highwood, Illinois, it also points you to Old Plank Antiques, a curated showroom of European and French Country pieces serving the entire North Shore.

What Makes the Chicago North Shore a Destination for Antiques

The North Shore combines old money, old houses, and a genuine appreciation for design. That mix keeps quality pieces circulating and rewards shoppers who know what they are looking for.

A Region Built for Character

From lakefront estates to century-old homes, North Shore houses were built to last, and they pair naturally with furniture that shares those qualities. Solid wood, hand-cut joinery, and original finishes look right at home here in a way that mass-produced furniture rarely does.

A Community That Values Craftsmanship

Interior designers, collectors, and homeowners across the North Shore actively seek out authentic antiques. That demand supports well-curated shops and makes the area a reliable place to find distinctive pieces rather than reproductions.

Antiquing Town by Town on the North Shore

Each North Shore community has its own character, and antique shoppers often travel between them to compare selection and quality. Old Plank sits in Highwood, central to the towns below and an easy drive from each.

Highwood

Home to Old Plank Antiques at 210 Green Bay Road, Highwood is a natural hub for North Shore antiquing. The showroom offers a large, rotating selection of European and French Country furniture along with garden pieces and one-of-a-kind finds.

Highland Park

Just south of Highwood, Highland Park shoppers are only a few minutes up Green Bay Road from Old Plank. The town's historic homes and ravine lots pair beautifully with antique furniture that brings warmth and authenticity to a space.

Winnetka and Glencoe

Farther south, Winnetka and Glencoe are known for traditional architecture and design-forward interiors. Both are a short drive north to Highwood when shoppers want to see quality pieces in person before buying.

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff

To the north, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff have a long tradition of estate homes and European craftsmanship. The antiques that suit these homes are exactly the kind Old Plank sources on buying trips through France, Belgium, and Sweden.

What to Look for in a Great North Shore Antique Shop

Not every antique store offers the same experience. A few qualities separate a shop worth returning to from one that simply moves inventory.

Genuine Curation, Not Just Volume

The best shops hand-select their inventory for quality, character, and condition. A curated selection saves you time and gives you confidence that the pieces have already been vetted.

Knowledge You Can Rely On

A strong antique dealer can speak to a piece's age, materials, and origin. That expertise helps you understand what you are buying. If you are new to collecting, our guide on what to look for when buying antique furniture is a helpful starting point, along with the difference between antique, vintage, and reproduction pieces.

The Chance to Inspect in Person

Photos only tell part of the story. Seeing scale, finish, and condition in person is one of the biggest advantages of shopping the North Shore rather than buying online. A local showroom lets you compare pieces side by side before you commit.

What You Will Find at Old Plank

Old Plank's Highwood showroom focuses on European and French Country antiques, with a selection built to suit the North Shore's homes and tastes.

French Country and European Antiques

The collection features antique armoires, farm tables, sideboards, and dressers from 18th and 19th century France, along with Gustavian painted furniture from Sweden. Browse current inventory across tables, seating, and storage.

Signature Pieces

Old Plank is also known for alligator leather club chairs inspired by Jean-Michel Frank and Jacques Adnet, garden statuary, and the Old Plank Sheep collection, including the signature six-foot sheep with real fur.

Custom and Reclaimed Work

Beyond antiques, Old Plank builds custom dining tables to your specifications using reclaimed and antique timbers, blending traditional craftsmanship with pieces made to fit your space.

Plan Your North Shore Antiquing Visit

Old Plank Antiques is open to shoppers from across the North Shore. Visit the showroom to see the collection in person.

Address: 210 Green Bay Road, Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: 312-714-3000
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, closed Sunday and Monday
Directions and map: Contact page

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best antique shops on the Chicago North Shore?

The North Shore has antique options across several towns, with Highwood serving as a central and convenient hub. Old Plank Antiques at 210 Green Bay Road offers a large curated selection of European and French Country furniture within an easy drive of Highland Park, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff.

What kind of antiques can I find on the North Shore?

Shoppers can find everything from formal European furniture to rustic farm tables and decorative pieces. Old Plank specializes in French Country and European antiques, Gustavian furniture, garden statuary, and custom tables made from reclaimed timber.

Is it better to buy antiques in person or online?

Both have advantages, but seeing a piece in person lets you evaluate scale, finish, and condition directly. For North Shore shoppers, visiting a local showroom like Old Plank is often the most confident way to buy.

How far is Old Plank from the rest of the North Shore?

Old Plank is in Highwood, centrally located on Green Bay Road. It is only a few minutes from Highland Park, roughly 8 to 12 miles from Winnetka and Glencoe, and a short drive south from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.

Discover North Shore Antiques at Old Plank

Antique shopping on the North Shore is most rewarding when you have a trusted source. Old Plank Antiques offers a curated collection of one-of-a-kind European and French Country pieces for buyers across Highwood, Highland Park, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and the wider Chicago area.

Browse the current collection at OldPlank.com, or contact the team at 312-714-3000 with questions about specific pieces, delivery, or condition. You can also visit the showroom at 210 Green Bay Road, Highwood, IL 60040.