For those of us who love the delicate nature of botanical illustrations, St. Louis is a great place to shop. Whether replicas or original artwork, decorating with illustrations imbues the home with florals and plants—and a dose of history and knowledge. Note to shoppers: The merchandise at the following stores is constantly changing, so be sure to check back often to see what’s new. Happy hunting!
Danielle Kalish sources items from artists both local and worldwide. Currently, the shop is carrying about ten (unframed) botanical illustrations, priced from $45 to $120, depending on the size of the work. Hidden in plain sight on a corner shelf is a gorgeous, framed, print botanical priced at $185. 736 De Mun.
Inside this space, shoppers will find an array of sophisticated artwork, including a collection of three framed replicas taken from the original text Flora de Filipinas by Augustinian Father Manual Blanco, and printed in the late 1800s. Priced at $25, the botanicals are on sale from their original starting price of $50. 10821 Manchester.
Owner Mark McMillen says he sees this trend “going in cycles,” from fruit to birds and now to botany. McMillen carries about one hundred William Curtis originals, published from 1787 to the mid-1800s, at his picture frame shop in Richmond Heights. They are priced from $30 to $105. McMillen also has a set of three prints for sale, dating to 1587, by Basilius Besler, the respected apothecary and botanist. 29000 S Big Bend.
This bright space featuring eighty vendors off of Kingshighway features a treasure trove of home decor–and botanicals–scattered throughout the mall. Insider tip: Start at booths 15A (Fun Girl Vintage) and 102C (D&B Designs) and shop from there. 4923 Daggett.
Get a weekly dose of home and style inspiration
Subscribe to the St. Louis Design+Home newsletter to explore the latest stories from the local interior design, fashion, and retail scene.
Take a trip to Soulard to find Rick Ege’s converted stained-glass shop filled to the brim with treasures, notably a set of six botanical French book plates circa 1900. The collection is custom-framed using museum glass, and priced at $400. Ege’s Etsy site currently features an antique Dutch teaching chart, among other florals. 1304 Sidney.
Maplewood is home to this mall, where two antique galleries share one parking lot. Wander through both to find prints at prices as low as $5. At Treasure Aisles ll, booth 114 is showing more than twenty Pierre Redoute replicas, all for $8/print. 2317 S. Big Bend.
Find more than twenty original, hand water-colored plates from the Leighton Brothers antique collection at booth 421 (Ziern-Hanon Gallery), titled “Indigenous Flowers of the Hawaiian Islands.” The prints date to 1885, and are sold for $125 each. Each stands gorgeously on its own, but one could also choose to curate a cohesive triptych. On your way out the door, don’t miss booth #475–stationed just behind the register–and showcasing a collection of 19th-century pressed botanicals. This set of 6 is priced at $3,700 and captures the essence of the natural world. 10091 Manchester.
