The Story of Desert Lotus Vintage

Hey y'all, it's Viv here! As most of you may know, Desert Lotus Vintage was born from a lifelong passion for all things old, eccentric, and beautiful, but what is the real story behind Desert Lotus?

An Introduction Into Thrifting

As a young girl from a large family, my mom grew up doing most of her shopping at thrift stores and garage sales. Living on the south side of Chicago, there were so many great stores to shop at, and as a teenager, she began picking up small pieces of furniture, home decor, dishes, and Pyrex! Of course, she became a Mom at the early age of 17, and in turn, we had the opportunity to grow up together in a way.

Passing on Passion

I learned very early on how to be thrifty and have that same passion for old and unique home decor. Some of my earliest memories with vintage pieces include eating cereal out of Hazel Atlas cowboy bowls and helping make cookies in our Pyrex primary mixing bowl set. Our walls always had pinup girls and abstract art on them, and the furniture always had that antique smell to it. My love grew over the years into adulthood, and now our favorite pastime has become the thrill of antiquing and going to estate and garage sales together. 

Entering the World of Advertising

As a young woman and mother with limited career options, my Mom went into sales and landed in advertising and marketing where she spent the last twenty years building a career in the Gulf Coast region. She would thrift and antique in her spare time, and even refinish the occasional piece of furniture.

The Effects of COVID-19

When COVID hit, many of our lives were completely turned upside down. Her job selling movie theater advertising was put on hold, and after multiple COVID resurgences, natural disasters, and company changes, she was at her wits' end. She was no longer happy or fulfilled in her career. On top of that, my brother was in middle school and trying to do some form of virtual learning, and I had to come home from college and finish my semester virtually. This unprecedented time led to my mom having a "mid-life crisis". Yes, they’re real, and no it wasn’t fun for any of us. BUT! She was able to re-evaluate her life and career path. With the support of the whole family, she decided to open up an antique business. Along the way, she has gained many friends and mentors, and of course, I became a major part in this journey as her business partner. 

The Future of Desert Lotus Vintage

Desert Lotus Vintage began as a small booth in a quaint shop in Covington, and after several moves and time spent in wonderful spaces, you can now find us at Daphne Antique Galleria in Alabama. 

We have also jumped headfirst into estate sales, offering services to the Greater New Orleans and Mobile regions. I started grad school at the beginning of the year and because of that, we had the opportunity to start our podcast, Desert Lotus Vintage Podcast: IRL Sharifah & Viv. We would love to continue that project, plus, we also plan to expand and get our online store up and running this year!

Desert Lotus Vintage encompasses all things vintage and antique, but we shop with a unique eye and huge heart. We specialize in mid-century and art deco, but you can find art, furniture, fashion, and home décor from all decades if it speaks to us and makes us happy. I mean, after all, isn’t that what it’s all about, being surrounded by what makes you happy?

Every house should feel like a home, so if you can’t find just the right piece in our collection, we can help you find it. We love the thrill of the hunt, and can usually find the right piece you’re looking for at a great price. Follow us on social media for more updates and check out our podcast on Spotify!

As always, Stay Golden!

-Sharifah & Viv <3