Some of the most meaningful design stories begin long before a project is ever built. They begin with an object; a weathered door, a centuries-old cabinet or an unexpected piece that sparks the conversation. For Austin King, founder of the award-winning design-build firm Rafterhouse, those stories have always been worth preserving.
Long before he became the steward of one of Arizona’s most beloved antique destinations, King was simply a customer wandering the aisles of Antiquities Warehouse. He would silence his phone, lose himself among the imported European furnishings, architectural salvage and eclectic curiosities.
“I’ve always had an appreciation for older things; their character, their craftsmanship and their stories,” King says. “I’m one of those people who always says, ‘If these walls could talk,’ because I’d happily sit and listen.”
That appreciation has long influenced Rafterhouse’s design philosophy. Throughout the firm’s custom homes, King has become known for thoughtfully repurposing antique elements. Transforming vintage pantry doors into statement pieces, converting antique dressers into one-of-a-kind bathroom vanities and weaving historic materials into contemporary architecture. Those details helped define the warm, collected aesthetic that has become synonymous with Rafterhouse.
The acquisition of Antiquites Warehouse wasn’t part of his business plan. But after months of reflection, conversations with former owner Louise Gauthier, and careful consideration of the responsibility that came with preserving such an ICONIC Arizona institution, King made the decision to purchase.
Today, that stewardship is evident throughout Antiquities Warehouse’s new 10,000-square-foot home in downtown Phoenix. Housed inside a century-old industrial building with exposed brick walls, soaring trusses and authentic urban character, the new location feels as though it has always belonged there. Rather than polishing away the building’s grit, King embraced it, allowing the historic architecture to complement the European antiques and reclaimed architectural elements inside.
For King, downtown Phoenix wasn’t simply a real estate decision, it was part of the story. “I felt like Antiquities needed to be rooted in Phoenix,” he says. “It didn’t belong in a strip mall or somewhere overly polished. It needed a space with character that matched the inventory.”
Although Antiquities Warehouse has a new home, longtime visitors will immediately recognize what made it so special. King was careful not to lose the mix of exceptional antiques and the unexpected treasures tucked throughout the warehouse. It’s that contrast that has always defined Antiquities. “There are beautiful pieces your kids will fight over one day,” he says. “But I’m also here for the weird stuff. Those quirky conversation pieces are part of what makes Antiquities so special.”
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That philosophy reflects a broader shift happening throughout luxury residential design. As homeowners increasingly move away from perfectly matched interiors, they’re gravitating toward spaces layered with warmth, texture and personality. Vintage furnishings, reclaimed architectural elements and one-of-a-kind antiques offer something mass-produced furniture simply cannot: authenticity. “I think people want pieces with a backstory,” King says. “They don’t want the same furniture everyone else has. They want something that starts a conversation.”
For Arizona’s growing design community, Antiquities Warehouse has become exactly that resource. Interior designers, architects, builders and homeowners from across the state now visit the warehouse searching for everything from antique doors and European cabinetry to statement furniture and decorative objects destined for custom homes.
Equally rewarding for King has been watching the warehouse evolve into a gathering place for the creative community itself. “It’s been fun meeting interior designers, architects, builders and even real estate professionals I admired from afar,” he says. “There’s been a real sense of community that’s come with this.”
Although Antiquities Warehouse may be King’s newest venture, he still describes it as something more personal than business. “It’s really become a passion project,” he says. And perhaps that’s exactly why the transition feels so natural. In King’s hands, Antiquities Warehouse isn’t simply preserving history; it’s ensuring that generations of craftsmanship, character and timeless design continue finding new homes, one remarkable piece at a time.
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