The Lanai is a vintage shop in St. Pete on Florida's west coast, specializing in bamboo, wicker, rattan, and other collectibles. There's no hunting ground like Florida for these finds, and Lizzy Sise's shop is one of our favorites. Below, she tells us what we should know about vintage bamboo, about a chandelier she found that made it's way to a Palm Beach hotel, and where else we should shop antiques in Florida. 

Sister Parish once wrote, "My father used to bicycle all over New Jersey exploring antique shops, and whenever we tinkled the bell on a shop door, he would invariably buy me a Staffordshire figure. Thus collections are born." Tell us how you started The Lanai? Where did it all begin?

I started The Lanai out of my house in Naples, FL in 2013. I have always loved antiquing and collecting. I love the hunt, and finding things that you just can't leave behind. I’d always collected for myself, but in 2013 I started an Etsy shop selling some of my vintage smalls. Then I sold my first piece of furniture, a faux bamboo nightstand, and started to focus on bigger pieces. It just continued to grow from there!

Are you from Florida? How'd you end up in St. Petersburg? 

I’m actually from Connecticut. I went to college in New York and lived there for a couple years, then ended up moving to Naples, FL. After a few years in Naples my husband and I decided to move somewhere younger and more artistic, with a year round community. Naples is pretty, but very seasonal. My family isn't in the business, but they have always liked to hunt and collect, whether it's shells or sharks teeth or antiques, so I think the collecting gene runs in the family.

Tell us about your shop name.

In Florida, a covered porch is called a lanai. I liked that it's a very Florida specific term and evocative of a certain Floridian lifestyle. Also, when I started my business, I literally filled the lanai of our house up with all the furniture I had for sale. My store literally was the lanai!

When I think of old Florida, vintage bamboo and rattan, I immediately think of you. How would you describe your collection to someone who is new to your collection?

I’m flattered! I am definitely inspired by both the “real” Florida and the fantasy vacation idea of Florida. I would describe my shop as a mix of unique and classic pieces with a focus on natural materials like wicker, rattan, and bamboo. I like a mix of timeless styles, like Brighton style chairs and anything chinoiserie, mixed with more unusual, whimsical, standout pieces.

What should our readers know about vintage bamboo and rattan?

I am always looking for classic pieces from McGuire, Ficks Reed, Calif-Asia, etc, but the great thing about rattan and bamboo furniture is that it doesn't have to be a specific brand to be well made and special. If it doesn't have a brand label, looking for vintage pieces made in the Philippines is a good place to start. In terms of styles, I would say pieces in classic styles like Chinese chippendale and pencil reed rattan are also good places to start.

How do we tell when a piece is worth restoring?

I would say to check the wrapping on rattan pieces to see how much rewrapping you’ll
have to do. The great thing about rattan and bamboo is that they're very durable, so most of it can be brought back to life.

What's the coolest piece you've ever found?

 I think the best ever might have been a 12 ft wide Mario Lopez Torres chandelier with monkeys and parrots all over it. It was in a woman’s garage in Port Charlotte, FL! It eventually went to a hotel in Palm Beach. Recently, I found a pencil reed chest of drawers in a crazy spiral pattern that I really love. That's probably my favorite new find.

What are you currently on the hunt for?

 If I’m buying for myself, I’m always looking for fun vintage straw bags, wicker animals, vintage surf stuff, and oversized versions of things, like my big carved wood peace sign hand. To sell, I am always looking for pencil reed rattan furniture, rattan or wicker sectional sofas, and burnt bamboo anything.

What's one piece in your collection you'd never part with and why? 

I’m pretty good at not keeping my best finds for myself, but I do have a couple pieces of vintage Florida artwork that I wouldn't give up. Those and probably my sharks teeth collection I’ve been working on since I was a kid.

What advice would you give to someone on the hunt for vintage
bamboo/rattan?

Look everywhere! Estate sales, thrift stores, auctions. And don't focus on the maker so much as the craftsmanship and style of the piece.

Can you give us 3 recommendations in Florida for us to shop antiques?
Where should we go?

To be blunt, going to thrift stores where wealthy retirees are is a great place to start. Besides that, in the Tampa Bay area, I would say The Woman’s Exchange in Sarasota is
always reliable. I love shopping under the live oak trees at the Renninger’s Flea Market in Mt. Dora. In St. Pete, I like Antique Galleries of St. Petersburg, they always have a lot, and it's good range of stuff.

What's the best way to buy from The Lanai? 

You can find me on Chairish, at thelanaivintage.com, or on Instagram at
@thelanaivintage, where I post updates of my finds.