Owner Cyndi Hilton started Hilton House Consign & Designs in 1999 and remains actively involved today.
TJMaxxinistas – is so “last year.” Savvy shoppers in the East Bay (and beyond) discovered it’s best to be a Hilton-ista instead, a frequent peruser of ever-changing merchandise at Orinda’s own Hilton House Consign & Designs.
Whether downsizing or decorating, Hilton House is a thriving local business never to be overlooked or underestimated. Despite a global pandemic, this place is hopping, filled to the brim with all manner of quality consignment items, ranging from practical to whimsical to extravagant.
“The store is never the same place twice,” said owner Cyndi Hilton, adding that turnover of the inventory moves at a rapid pace, making frequent visits to the store – or following their social media accounts – worthwhile.
Realizing that Orinda and the surrounding area had few, if any, options in 1999 for reselling furniture and fine décor, Orindan Hilton created a business.
It had instant success. Years later would prove that even Facebook Marketplace and other online shopping venues has not diminished the popularity of this bustling local shop. Or, shall we say, shops, since Hilton needed to add additional retail space in the same shopping center, near the original, to accommodate larger furniture pieces, carpets and artwork.
Hilton left the banking world 22 years ago and was searching to define the next phase of her life. Though well-schooled in all aspects of banking and commerce, she had never run a consignment business.
Serendipitously, she encountered the right experts, many of whom she still works with daily, to help her evaluate merchandise and successfully navigate the resale market.
Ahead of her time, magic occurred in the days before anyone was regularly preaching the environmental and humanitarian benefits of reduce-reuse-recycle.
“People just love to visit this store,” said Hilton, as she pointed out an eclectic and impressive array of estate jewelry to fine jewelry, cabinets full of collectibles, china, crystal, designer shoes and purses, Steiff teddy bears, objects d’art, chairs, lamps, tables and cabinets – the list is endless and constantly changing.She added, “Some people visit just to look around.”
If one’s schedule does not allow an in-person visit, Hilton House has Facebook and Instagram pages, which are updated daily and boasts over 10,000 followers.
Purchasing resale furniture is an excellent way to acquire long-lasting quality without the high retail price tag, Hilton said.
Orindan Linda Bakshi was thrilled to find the perfect dining room table and sofa for her father, who recently moved here from Florida. Bakshi’s goal was to make her father’s downsized home in assisted living pleasant and comfortable.
“I was concerned about supply chain delays,” she said. “I needed to have all his furnishings in place when we moved him in, to ease his transition. I found the perfect table and sofa for him at Hilton House. Cyndi even hired Campo students to deliver and set up the furniture.”
Hilton House is also the ideal place to shop for gifts, especially wedding, baby and birthday, all with free gift-wrapping without a price minimum.
With the top-notch customer service the store is famous for, if shipping is needed, Hilton will box it up and walk it next door to The UPS Store.
Hilton said, for potential consignors, merchandise must first be personally evaluated by one of the staff, but they are extremely flexible and do their best to adapt to busy schedules.
“We’ve had folks leave things here to be evaluated while they run to the Farmers’ Market,” she said.
Next time you grab a meal at Genuine Goodness or visit any of Orinda’s other businesses near the Orinda Library, pop in and check out Hilton House, or visit it on Instagram at #hiltonhousedesigns or on Facebook: Hilton House Consign/Design & Estate Liquidations.
Hilton House Consign & Designs is located at 19 and 21 Orinda Way. Call 925.254.1113 for more information.
Mimi Bommarito can be reached at editor@theorindanews.com.
