She co-owns the Antique Warehouse and Country Loft Store within it. He rejuvenates ailing lamps and lighting fixtures at the Lamp Shoppe, a part of the Country Loft Store. 

So it comes as no surprise that the Lathrup Park home of Merrill natives Pat and J.D. Mallery is filled with antique furniture and antique lighting fixtures. 

“But we have also mixed the antique with contemporary,” says J.D. as he walks through the home at 1265 Avalon in Saginaw Township. “People visiting us (on the Holiday Housewalk) will get lots of suggestions on how you can blend the two styles and make it work. 

“What helps with us, being in the antique business, if we find a piece we like better than another similar one, we can always sell. 

“We have redone this house from one end to the other. We did three months of work before we even moved in. 30 gallons of paint. It’s a hobby with us, to remodel and update.” 

They moved there in 1998. The 1954-built one-story sports nine rooms and 2,050 square feet -- with work now in progress to add a room in the basement. 

Among the oldies are six antique ceiling lighting fixtures, including a pull-down lamp in the foyer that was converted from oil into electric and a glass lamp that casts unusual colors and shadows.  

And among the 20 pieces of antique furniture and cabinets are a working 1938 Green Eye Zenith radio he completely refinished, a working 1894 railroad punch-in time clock, an 1800s corner cabinet from the Carlisle Mansion (originally 109 inches high but now trimmed down), a shaving cabinet, a game table that rises up  and a 1920s table with 10 leafs. 

One of the mixes that match includes that 1920s table when J.D. reveals its chairs are contemporary. And the nearby hutch is but a baby at 35 years old, its original dark hued pine stripped and bleached to a much brighter tone.  

Then there are the his and hers collectibles. 

In his study is a a collection of the annual Mint Julep glasses and canisters issued by the Kentucky Derby, starting in the 1940s. And in the kitchen/dining room area is her collection of intense red glass plates, dishes and other serviceware, which they actually use. 

J.D. was a personnel director and head of security at seven GM plants before his retirement while wife Pat was a stay-at-home-mom. 

“I liked antiques before I retired and had bought the radio and other things. Then when she opened the Antique Warehouse (in the 1980s) and needed stuff for her shop, we really got into it.”

They have been married 48 years.