The Shadow
WARM SPRINGS, Va. (VR) – Just off the main road, inside a shop filled with the patina of time, Springhouse Antiques preserves the artistry and character of eras gone by. Opened in March 2013, this family-run business is owned and operated by Claudia and Jay Trinca, whose shared passions for history and craftsmanship breathe life into every corner of their collection.
“It’s really the history portion of it that draws me,” Claudia said.
“Rare things out of the early 1800s are especially attractive to me. The workmanship was so nice back in the good old days, and they had such beautiful wood to work with.” Claudia, a lifelong collector, channels her fascination for the past into curating a wide variety of antiques, with a particular focus on flow blue China—a delicate, vividly-patterned ceramic ware from the 19th century.
“I specialize in flow blue China and have a huge collection on display,” she said. “I also enjoy period furniture, like beautiful corner cupboards, marble-top tables, and wardrobe pieces.”
Visitors to Springhouse Antiques might also notice a striking collection of antique boxes. Claudia treats each with a careful hand, adding coats of varnish to enhance their shine. “Boxes are very useful when you give them a couple coats of varnish,” she said, noting that customers are often taken by the display. “They look pretty and are scattered throughout my shop.”
The shop atmosphere is further enriched by Jay’s original creations. While he tends to remain behind the scenes as a “silent partner,” Jay is an accomplished woodworker who crafts furniture using reclaimed wood, often seeking out wide boards from old houses and barns. “He only works on one thing at a time, no mass production,” Claudia explained. “It’s really an original when you buy one of his pieces.”
Jay’s workbench is stocked with seasoned woods like cherry, oak, wormy chestnut, and walnut, which he sources from local projects, including home renovations or property demolitions.
“He’s always on the lookout for people selling wood,” Claudia said, describing how some of their most unique finds come from salvaged materials.
Claudia’s journey with antiques began in her early 20s and has spanned continents, thanks to her husband’s career in the military. The couple’s frequent moves allowed Claudia to collect pieces from around the world.
“We always went overseas light, and I would buy things for us to use,” Claudia recalled. “They became some of my nicer pieces of furniture.”
While Claudia prefers to find items herself, she occasionally assesses pieces brought in by customers, scheduling appointments when her busy shop allows.
“I’d rather go look at things, but sometimes I just get too busy in the shop,” she said. Nonetheless, her personal attention ensures that each object, whether acquired or brought in, receives the care and consideration befitting its history.
“In the end, I just like old things. Always have,” Claudia said. “The collection, the history, the connection—it’s all part of what makes Springhouse Antiques special.”
For visitors and collectors alike, Springhouse Antiques is more than a shop—it’s a tribute to craftsmanship, tradition, and the enduring beauty of the past.
