House Beautiful Highlights This St. Paul Store Among America’s Best Home Shops

Picture stepping into a shop that feels like you’ve teleported straight to a quaint European village. Betty’s Antiques on Selby Avenue in St. Paul has earned major bragging rights after House Beautiful crowned it one of America’s best home stores.

This isn’t just any antique shop, it’s a treasure trove where every piece whispers a story and makes your house feel like a real home.

Liz Murphy’s Impressive Industry Experience

Running a beloved antique shop takes serious know-how, and Liz Murphy has that in spades. She’s spent 35 years working in the home furnishings world, studying Retail Merchandising at the University of Minnesota.

Her background as a product designer gives her an eagle eye for quality pieces. When you shop at Betty’s, you’re benefiting from decades of expertise that helps curate every single item on display.

Liz knows what makes furniture special and how to spot authentic treasures that will last generations in your home.

A Grandmother’s Legacy Lives On

Ever wonder where the name Betty’s comes from? It’s a heartfelt tribute to Liz’s grandmother, who had a special way with hospitality. Betty loved throwing gatherings and never saved her fancy dishes for special occasions only.

She’d bring out her beautiful china and glassware for regular Tuesday dinners, making every meal feel important. This philosophy of celebrating everyday moments inspired the entire shop’s mission.

Now the store carries on Betty’s spirit by encouraging everyone to use their pretty things and create memorable moments daily.

Carefully Curated Vintage Collections

Walking through Betty’s feels like exploring your stylish great-aunt’s attic, except everything is perfectly arranged. You’ll find vintage tableware that makes dinner parties Instagram-worthy, antique wood furniture with real character, and paintings that add instant charm.

Handmade touches like needlepoint pillows and paper crafts give spaces personality that mass-produced items can’t match. Each piece gets hand-picked for its quality and unique story.

Whether you need a conversation-starting centerpiece or a cozy reading chair, the selection offers treasures for every room and budget.

European-Inspired Home Aesthetic

Forget oversized furniture that eats up your entire living room. Betty’s specializes in small to mid-size pieces inspired by cozy European homes where every inch matters. Look for delicate hand carvings that show true craftsmanship, not factory stamps.

Warm wood finishes create inviting spaces, while details like old-fashioned keyholes and brass hardware add authentic vintage charm. Ball and claw feet on chairs and tables bring elegance without being stuffy.

These proportions work beautifully in modern homes where space is precious but style matters tremendously.

Convenient Shopping Schedule

Planning your treasure hunt is easy since Betty’s keeps a consistent schedule. The shop opens its doors Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving you plenty of weekend browsing time.

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays means Liz can hunt for new inventory and refresh displays for your next visit. Arriving right when they open gives you first dibs on newly added pieces.

Later afternoon visits offer a relaxed vibe when you can chat with staff about specific items you’re seeking for your home.

Part Of Selby-Snelling Antiques Alley

Betty’s isn’t flying solo, it’s part of an exciting neighborhood transformation happening in Selby-Snelling. This area has blossomed into what locals call “antiques alley,” with multiple vintage shops clustering together.

You can easily spend an entire afternoon hopping between stores, discovering vintage clothing, retro decor, and collectible treasures. The growing community of vintage businesses creates a destination shopping experience worth traveling for.

Supporting Betty’s also supports the neighborhood’s unique character and helps small businesses thrive in a world dominated by big-box stores.

Sustainability Through Timeless Treasures

Buying antiques isn’t just about style, it’s one of the greenest shopping choices you can make. When you choose a vintage piece, you’re keeping furniture out of landfills and reducing demand for new manufacturing.

Each antique at Betty’s represents craftsmanship built to last generations, not just a few years. These items carry family stories and historical significance that new furniture simply can’t replicate.

Reusing and repurposing beautiful old pieces helps the planet while giving your home character that feels collected over time, not bought in one shopping trip.

Enchanting International Shopping Vibe

Stepping through Betty’s front door creates instant vacation vibes without the passport hassle. The interior design makes you feel like you’ve wandered into a charming boutique in Paris or a hidden jewel in the English countryside.

Thoughtful displays and intimate spaces create a sense of discovery around every corner. Unlike overwhelming warehouse-style antique malls, Betty’s offers a curated, manageable shopping experience that feels personal.

This atmosphere turns furniture shopping from a chore into an adventure where you genuinely enjoy browsing even if you’re not buying anything today.

Breaking Out The Fancy Dishes Philosophy

Why keep your beautiful things locked away for occasions that never seem special enough? Liz champions using your fine china and crystal glasses for regular meals, not just holidays or fancy dinner parties.

Bringing out pretty dishes makes ordinary Wednesday spaghetti dinners feel celebratory and shows guests they’re valued. This mindset shifts how we think about hospitality and self-care through our everyday choices.

Life’s too short to eat off boring plates when you own gorgeous ones collecting dust in the cabinet waiting for “someday.”

The Store’s Guiding Philosophy

Betty’s operates under a simple but powerful motto: “Antiques are the most fun and interesting way to furnish your home.” This isn’t just marketing fluff, it’s the truth about what vintage pieces bring to your space.

Mass-produced furniture looks identical in everyone’s house, but antiques give your home a personality that reflects your unique taste. Finding the perfect vintage piece feels like a victory, not just another purchase.

When friends visit, they’ll ask about your furniture’s history instead of saying, “Oh, I have that same IKEA bookshelf, too.”