Marston Luce: Fine Antiques in the Heart of Georgetown
By • November 4, 2021 0 2023
“Elegant, sublime, and humble” is how Marston Luce describes the antique store that is his namesake. Located at 1651 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Marston Luce is filled with unique, decorative antiques Luce collects himself. He has a home near Bordeaux and is a frequent visitor to France, where he has developed his fine-tuned craft. From paintings and furniture, to bird baths and urns, Marston Luce is the destination for quality home décor.
Luce’s love for antiques started when he was studying to be an architect. He had always had a deep interest in historical art, and when he was opened up to the world of antiques, his two passions came together. “To me, all furniture is a form of architecture,” Luce tells The Georgetowner. He has been collecting and stocking the store for the past 40 years.
Luce finds most of his pieces in areas around France. “I use lots of venues,” Luce explains, including large antique fairs in the south of France, small markets called brocantes in the southwest of France, and the Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt which is a famous flea market in Paris. In addition to his own treasure hunts, Luce has eyes around the world with a large network of vendors who are always on the lookout for items of interest.
Although Luce has an expansive inventory, he has always loved garden decor. He enjoys filling the store with bird baths, fountains, benches, urns, and small plaques for the walls. Luce carries many different styles, from classical to baroque, and likes consulting with customers on how to spruce up their garden. He also loves finding paintings and portraits – especially portraits of dogs. His favorite items are paintings, so he works hard to keep a variety in stock. During the holiday season, Luce is sure to carry gift items like small artwork and porcelain pieces, silverware, and boxes. The store is expecting a new shipment this month, just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Marston Luce opened the store 40 years ago, and it is his passion. He chooses his pieces with a careful eye and attention to quality. It is “the best source of beautiful things in Washington,” he says humbly, and it should be a designated stop along Wisconsin Avenue. Every shopper in the area – from antique fanatic to first-time decorator – can find their next eye-catching piece at Marston Luce.
A visit to Marston Luce.
Luce “also loves finding paintings and portraits – especially portraits of dogs.”
Thinking about holiday shopping?
For more on Marston Luce see http://marstonluce.com/.
