Operated by Ingela Butters, her daughter Karin Butters Mulcahy and her mother Inga-lisa Hansson, the consignment shop offers a wide range of unique items from Victorian to contemporary and expert design services to match.

A professional interior decorator, Ingela operated a design studio next to Dick's Bakery for 30 years before closing it at the end of 2001. After taking time off to care for her ailing father, Ingela reopened her business in February 2003 in its present location at 999 Lincoln Ave. near Coe Avenue.

"I initially just occupied half of this space with my design business," Ingela said. "Dovey Pickle ran an antique business out of the other side for 50 years. When she retired in May of 2004, I took over the whole space. The consignment portion of my business officially opened in August 2004."

Adding a consignment shop to her already established design business was a natural fit.

"Many of my design clients are downsizing and moving into retirement homes, so they aren't able to bring all of their furnishings with them," Ingela said. "I take what doesn't fit and sell it for them."

Ironically, a lot of pieces Ingela ends up selling for clients are items she placed in their home when she originally decorated it.

"I know most of the people who owned these things," Ingela said. "All of what we have is slightly used but greatly loved"

To help run the consignment shop end of the business, Ingela partnered with her daughter, Karin, who worked for seven years as the dean of admissions and marketing for Palmer Chiropractic School before becoming a marketing consultant for several colleges around the country. A newlywed, Karin decided she wanted to change her lifestyle.

"With my consulting business, I was on the road a lot," Karin said. "After I got married I wanted to spend more time with my husband and not have to work 60 hours a week."

Ingela's mother is also part of the team. Inga-lisa helps out in the store.

"Mom is a natural sales person," Ingela said.

Besides operating a design studio and running a consignment shop, Ingela and Karin also conduct estate sales.

"We sell on site just like a traditional estate sale," Karin said, "but what doesn't sell, we take in on consignment for 90-days. This is something other people can't offer."

"As a result, we have more collectibles than most consignment shops," Ingela adds.

Some of the more unique items in the store include a Hershey doll bought at the Hershey museum in Hershey, Penn., a large selection of jewelry circa 1920s and coronation cups commemorating, among others, the crownings of King George V, King Edward VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.

"The family that owned these cups actually went to all the coronations," Ingela said.

Unique furniture items include a waterfall bedroom set with Bakelite hardware, a Japanese Tansu which is a free standing cabinet often used as a room divider and an art deco bar martini bar complete with the original olive picks and strainer.

Ingela's Interiors is also a direct importer of rugs from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Iran.

"So many people in the area know me," Ingela said. "Now it is time for them to get to know my daughter."

Ingela's Interiors is located at 999 Lincoln Ave. For more information call 408.971.0535.