If you have any specific questions, or have some information you feel would be valuable to others, please contact us via our online contact form.
Eclectic Decorating
It seems to me that I have noticed a trend in decorating. While at one time people seemed to feel that they had to stick to one type of style or time period, or to an "antique" or "contemporary" look, today I have noticed that there is much more freedom to "mix and match." People are using a much more eclectic style of decorating.
For instance if you tend to like a more contemporary feel in your home, Arts and Crafts style pieces would mix very nicely. Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and mid 20th century pieces by designers such as Herman Miller, Eames or Knoll Studio, just to name a few. Adding antiques to a contemporary design can bring warmth to a room. Complementing a country style with pieces that are more simple in style can result in a less "fussy" look.
When you are in the market for an occassional or decorative piece for your home, break away from the need to make everything "match." Look in your local or on-line antique shop for items that will correspond with your surroundings but that will add a new element or detail to your decor!
Send Us Your Tips
If you have any thoughts on buying and collecting antiques and collectibles that you would like to share with the Lou's Relics community please write to me at Lisa@Lousrelics.com. We would love to publish your thoughts right here on our website!
Use Your Imagination!
Very often you may find a piece of antique or vintage furniture that would be perfect in a room in your home but it is not the color you wanted or it is not in the best of condition. It is important to look at these pieces with an open mind. A distinct advantage of purchasing antique items is that they are usually crafted from hardwoods - maple, oak, walnut and the like. These woods can easily be refinished or restored. In addition, hardware can easily be changed to suit your decor. If you see something on our website (or elsewhere for that matter) we have an association with a fine restoration company - Atlantic Restoration in Poughkeepsie, New York. If you are interested please e-mail or call me for more details. However, even if you do not go the route of professional restoration, you can refinish many of these items at home. Please watch our website - over the summer we will be having classes on refinsishing and restoration.
Another important advantage of antique and vintage furniture is its durability. Much of the furniture manufactured today is made from wood substitutes and plastic laminates. When moving, many moving companies will have you sign a waiver regarding any furniture made from these wood substitutes. They often just don't hold up to being transported. However, antiques and vintage items have already withstood the test of time and will continue to do so (especially with a little TLC).
So it is important to remember that with a little imagination the antique or vintage dresser, sideboard or table you buy today, could become a favorite item passed down in your family for many years to come!
Insider Tips - Price it Yourself!
Each week we receive many requests for information on items belonging to our website visitors. It may be an item that is a family heirloom, someone cleaning out a home or you may have purchased something interesting at a local flea market or garage sale. We thought it would be hlepful to share some tips on how you can go about researching the background and possibly value of the items.
Antique dealers generally have had many years of experieince looking at a vast array of furniture, collecitbles, vintage items and other historic objects. They have read books, taken classes and inspected thousands of objects that give them a background of comparison so as to make an appropriate judgement as to what a particular item is as wll as the relative value of that item.
But you don't have to be an expert to get some basic information on your piece. For those who are novices, one of the best ways to start researching is on line using as search engine such as Google or Ask.com. Look for a stamp, marking, signature or other distinguishing charactersitic. Is it marked "Tiffany", "Lenox", "Herman Miller" of "Waterford" for instance? Use descriptive terms such as "cameo pin", "caned chair" or "steamer trunk". Look for something peculiar to your piece such as hte hardware, thype of wood or glass. Enter any of those terms into the search engine. Most likely, you will have to keep refining your search as you go along. Go to the local library or bookstore and look at books on antiques and collectibles. There are general books and books on very specific subjects such as antique rugs, books , Lladro and much, much more! Many of those books have thousands of picutres of various items that may look like yours. Once you have found your item or something close try finding it on a website such as eBay. That may give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for and item like yours. Watch the auctions - it is informational and fun! Go to a local auction in your town or nearby. It is really easy and a great waty to spend an evening.
Hopefull that gives you some helpful information on how you can become more knowledgeable about some of the wonderful things you may have at home. And please remeber - much of the value of the item comes from the fact that you love it! Don't so much worry about what someone else may be willing to pay for it!
A Passion For Collecting!
Do you have a passion or hobby? Why not make that the basis of a collection? Personally I love to cook and entertain. I have started collecting old cookbooks and books on entertaining. I also have a small collection of vintage martini shakers (which can also be used as vases or containers for nuts, popcorn or other snacks at your bar area).
It is easy to collect items that remind you of your favorite pasttime. If you love to travel, buy items that make you think of your favorite place. If you are passionate about gardening purchases a few garden statuary items, old tools or other objects that might be fun in the garden.
The possibilities are endless and it will really give your collection a purpose. It will be obvious to everyone the basis of your collection. And it will be so much fun too!
Decorate with Antiques
Just because your home is "contemporary" or "victorian" in style doesn't mean that you have to be stuck in that time period when looking for decorative items for your home! Mix it up! HAVE SOME FUN! An eclectic look is far more interesting and exciting than one that is staid and monotonous. Use items that you might not think of in your home. On a recent buying trip a customer who has a more contemporary home, purchased an antique Turkish Olive Jar on a stand, an Indian metal grain canister and a French cherub garden statue. The grain canister and cherub are on top of the fireplace mantle, the olive jar is in the dining room and a recently purchased antique wooden bucket holds this week's catalogs and newspapers! This all along side lots of glass, metal and leather. If looks fabulous! Take some risks and venture outside your "comfort zone" when browsing our website or shop! There are many wonderful hidden and unexpected treasures. Items that you can use in new and unexpected ways.
In Home Trial
Each week we receive many requests for information on items belonging to our website visitors. It may be an item that is a family heirloom, someone cleaning out a home or you may have purchased something interesting at a local flea market or garage sale. We thought it would be hlepful to share some tips on how you can go about researching the background and possibly value of the items.
Antique dealers generally have had many years of experieince looking at a vast array of furniture, collecitbles, vintage items and other historic objects. They have read books, taken classes and inspected thousands of objects that give them a background of comparison so as to make an appropriate judgement as to what a particular item is as wll as the relative value of that item.
But you don't have to be an expert to get some basic information on your piece. For those who are novices, one of the best ways to start researching is on line using as search engine such as Google or Ask.com. Look for a stamp, marking, signature or other distinguishing charactersitic. Is it marked "Tiffany", "Lenox", "Herman Miller" of "Waterford" for instance? Use descriptive terms such as "cameo pin", "caned chair" or "steamer trunk". Look for something peculiar to your piece such as hte hardware, thype of wood or glass. Enter any of those terms into the search engine. Most likely, you will have to keep refining your search as you go along. Go to the local library or bookstore and look at books on antiques and collectibles. There are general books and books on very specific subjects such as antique rugs, books , Lladro and much, much more! Many of those books have thousands of picutres of various items that may look like yours. Once you have found your item or something close try finding it on a website such as eBay. That may give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for and item like yours. Watch the auctions - it is informational and fun! Go to a local auction in your town or nearby. It is really easy and a great waty to spend an evening.
Hopefully that gives you some helpful information on how you can become more knowledgeable about some of the wonderful things you may have at home. And please remeber - much of the value of the item comes from the fact that you love it! Don't so much worry about what someone else may be willing to pay for it!
Try our SHOP AT HOME SERVICE! If you live in Dutchess or Columbia Counties in New York, Licthfieled County, Connecticut or Berkshire County, Massachsetts AND if the item is small enough to fit in my station wagon, I will gladly bring the item to you so you can see it in your home. AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE! If the item is too large to fit in my car AND you are willing to pay transportation costs, I can have the item delivered and set in your home to see if you like it. If you decide not to keep the item you would only be responsible for the trucking costs.
Piano Babies
Porcelain figurines are "hot" collectible items right now. We have recently acquired some wonderful figurines that are now available to you!
In particular we have three antique and collectable "Piano Babies." A Piano Baby is a type of porcelain figurine produced in the mid 19th century until the early 20th century. Not many people owned pianos at that time. When someone purchased a piano it was truly a status symbol and an object of great pride. To that end the owner wanted to take very special care of the piano. Many piano owners placed a blanket or shawl over the piano - as either decoration or protection. "Piano Babies" were created to keep the blanket or shawl in place! They are usually not terribly large and are flat on the bottm so they sit well on the piano. The figurines are largely sitting or lying down.
One of the Piano Babies we have in stock was manufactured by The Gertrude Heubach company. The Heubach Company (known by its sunburst hallmark) produced porcelain dolls and figurines from 1843 until 1938 when they filled bankruptcy.
All of these new porcelain figurines are being offerred exclusively on our website. They are not yet in our Lakeville, Connecticut shop. Purchase now before they are displayed in the shop and at these very special prices!
These are great fun items to collect!
It's Not Your Grandma's Toilet!
What is a commode? Although the term in English has become a euphemism meaning toilet or often a chair with a built-in chamber pot, the word has French roots meaning "convenient" or "suitable." Originally, in the furniture lexicon, it meant a cabinet with one or more doors that served as a washstand with a washbasin and water pitcher. In the cabinet underneath a chamber pot could be stored. These "convenience" cabinets called "commodes" often furnished middle-class bedrooms before the days of indoor plumbing.
In contemporary French, however, la commode means a low chest of drawers. This current meaning of the French word applies especially to chests in the French style.Today pieces known as commodes are sometimes indistinguishable from a variety of other pieces of different origins, such as cabinets with drawers, sideboards, or self-professed chests-of-drawers.
Occupied Japan
Another piece of history!
"Occupied Japan", "Japan", "Made in Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan" were the marks printed on pottery, porcelain, toys and other items manufactured during and after the American occupation of Japan from 1945 until 1952. The items were made especially for export from Japan, were inexpensive and most Americans felt they were inferior to similar items made in England and Europe. However, the passage of time has made these stamped items "collectible". Although it’s hard to tell who produced an individual piece, some of the manufacturers were well-known names of today, such as Lefton, Mikado and Noritake. Many of these objects are fun and they do represent an important period in history. Ours are in excellent condition! Check them out!
Antiques as History
At Lou's Relics we always have a unique array of antique and vintage items. Many of these reflect an interesting era in history. For instance we have a rare and in original condition flat top paper covered Civil War era wooden trunk. Most "steamer" type trunks were made of leather - being that material was far more durable. However, during this time trunks were made of wood as leather was procured for use in the war. The majority of wooden trunks just splintered apart. It is amazing that not only did this trunk survive the war (and its travels) but that it is in such great condition. The paper covering is printed to resemble tooled leather. Notice the "steel bands" on the middle of the trunk. They are in fact printed on the paper! It does have the original steel banding around the edges as well as the original lock plate and latch. Circa 1864. This trunk is a great height and size to be used as a coffee table. It would certainly be an amazing conversation piece. We also have a handmade painted wooden caprenter's tool chest circa 1850. While this is a very rustic crude box, it is in very nice condition. The top is one solid pine board with hand forged wrought iron handles. Dovetailed edges. This could certainly be used as a trunk for storage or blanket chest! Enjoy! Lisa
Buy with Confidence!
“Oh, your stuff seems alright, but your prices are too high!” This is a quote we hear from time to time in our store. Either we must remove this objection, or we will loose the sale. Since we not only want you to buy from us once and be thrilled, but we want you to come back again and again – we want to make you a lifelong customer!
Moreover, aren’t you interested in finding out how to get the best price and quality to fill your furniture, knick-knack or collectible need? The best way to accomplish all of these objectives is to direct you to some outstanding research sources. These are many of the same volumes that we rely upon to determine the value and quality of items in our possession. By reading some of these books, you can much of the same expertise we have. Read, look at items and compare them to pieces of known background, significance and worth. You will soon be able to recognize authentic pieces in your favorite styles and types.
By doing your “homework” you will feel confident that you are getting great value and quality in your purchases at Lou’s Relics!
You can find many of these books at your local library or bookstore!
Kovel’s Antiques and Collectibles
Judith Miller’s Price Guides
Lyle Price Guides
Price it Yourself; Rosson, Fendelman
Antiquing for Dummies
Repurposing - turning trash to treasure!
Many antique and flea market hunters are very creative folk! There are so items in antique and vintage shops as well as at flea markets and garage sales that can be turned into something entirely different - repurposed! For example:
Make a message board out of a metal tray. Turn a roll of vintage wallpaper into wrapping paper. Make a mirror from an old tennis racket. Use vintage postcards as invitations. Use old glasses as a vessel for an elegant candle. You can find the "how to" directions and many more inspirtational idea in Country Living magazine. Look at their web site at www.countryliving.com. Search "repurposing". Be creative and have fun!
Furniture
Antique Tips