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Auction offers lavish items

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: July 1, 2009

NEW TAMPA - Two towering marble lions guarding the front door of the former site of the Linens 'n Things store drew curious passers-by.

Lavish artwork, ornate home furnishings and huge mermaid, Roman warrior and Egyptian-theme sculptures littered the showroom floor.

Workers scurried around the room, pushing massive pieces of furniture into place.

Two weeks of preparation work set the stage for the World of Decor Auction Extravaganza, a traveling road show of high-end quality home and lawn furnishings trucked in from Orlando to be auctioned off to the public.

Auctions were held June 20 to 22 and 27 to 29 at 18071 Highwoods Preserve Parkway in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve shopping plaza at the northwest corner of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Highwoods Preserve Parkway. The next one is scheduled for Aug 1 to 3 at the same location.

"This is the first time in quite a few years we have been back" in Tampa, said Wyin Stoy, spokeswoman for World of Decor in Orlando. "Last time it was at a different location."

Many of the items in its inventory are oversized furnishings more suited for grand homes and residential estates. There are one-of-a-kind handcrafted furnishings made of antique woods, bronze, marble, granite and other precious minerals, which would carry hefty prices at retail.

A World of Decor auction event offers a unique shopping experience to satisfy every taste and budget, Stoy said.

"Everybody has a chance to go home with something," she said, adding that $5 bids have been successful.

As of 8 p.m. June 22, the highest bidder had purchased a crystal chandelier for $9,000.

The auction company takes merchandise on consignment from major manufacturers and importers to sell at auctions across the country.

The inventory includes unique handcrafted furniture as well as an overstock of sofas, bedroom and dining room sets, accent pieces, exotic rugs and carpets, mirrors, designer florals, lamps, chandeliers, gazebos, bookcases and other architectural items.

The auctions in New Tampa drew a diverse crowd from across the Tampa Bay area. World of Decor provided them pizza and beverages.

J.R. Brutus of New Tampa said he heard about the auction through a friend and showed up in search of a couch. He had not submitted a bid by 7:30 p.m. June 22 but was willing to wait to see the merchandise yet to come.

Stoy predicted customers such as Brutus are likely to find something they like, because the auction doesn't end until the last bidder walks away.

Then, there are shoppers such as Lillie Haskopoulos of Oldsmar, who are repeat customers. She purchased a mirror at the June 21 auction then returned the next day to stroll through the packed store in search of other items to bid on.

"A lot of things are fascinating me," Haskopoulos said, browsing a row of artwork. But nothing special had caught her eye.

Stoy said she sees a lot of return customers because new merchandise is trucked in daily from Orlando.

Milton Beard of St. Leo is a regular at World of Decor auctions. He said the event offers him an opportunity to get beautiful, high-end furniture at affordable prices.

"We have gotten a lot at these auctions," said Beard, who confesses to traveling around Central Florida to attend them. "This is the first time they have been here. They have great merchandise and great prices."

WORLD OF DECOR AUCTION

WHEN: Aug. 1 to 3

WHERE: 18071 Highwoods Preserve Parkway, Tampa

HOURS: 1 p.m. to close, Aug. 1 and 2; 6 p.m. until close, Aug. 3.

INFORMATION: (813) 979-1290 or visit www.worldofdecor auction.com

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

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