I’ve got some helpful information to share with you today, but first I want to share a win and a fail for the week.
The win is I was featured in a magazine that just came out, House and Home magazine. You can find it online HERE. I have a few more in the works, and I’ll be letting you know when they are available.
Ready for my fail? Well my walking partner Therese and I were walking recently and we can across some things by the curb. We live in an historic area, so the pickings by the curb are sometimes pretty good. I grabbed a few drawers and Therese grabbed what in the dark appeared to be a marble top. We carried the junk goodies all the way to my house which was about a half mile. They were heavy too, and we almost dumped them several times before we got home. When we did arrive, my thumb was numb from carrying the drawers and Therese was covered in soot from the table top. The next time we met, she said that she returned the smokey table top to the curb, because it was not marble but concrete.
For days, I walked past the drawers on my back porch. They mocked me, laughing that I had done nothing with them. I began to dislike them, a lot. I ended up deciding I was not going to have time to convert the drawers to serving trays, so I left them in front of my house on trash day. “Now who’s laughing?” I said. I began to wonder if it was normal to talk to drawers.
Sometime during the night the junk fairies hauled them off to a nearby forest to transform them into something amazing. Frankly I was relieved. I don’t have the right kind of saw for that kind of cut, and I just wasn’t ‘feeling it’. The next evening, while we were walking, we saw some old chairs that looked pretty intriguing, but I kept on walking. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and sometimes junk is just junk.
Don’t forget the current giveaway!! Yes people do really win!! Remember that every comment this month on any post at Cedar Hill Farmhouse blog automatically enters you to win.
Now for the post. This was a very popular post, so I’m sharing it with you today since you might have missed it.
Did you ever watch the TV show Lovejoy back in the day? He was considered a divvy. A divvy is someone who has an almost supernatural ability to detect an antique of value when others can’t. I am NOT a divvy, but I admire those with that ability. A divvy knows how to buy bargain antiques.
I do have to say I get a bit overly excited when I find a great piece for a ridiculously low sum. It happens on occasion.
The mirror below has been in my bedroom for awhile. I fixed it up after buying it at a discount store. I painted and distressed it. I thought it looked pretty good. It is not an antique.
But then I found the mirror show below. This mirror was super cheap at the antique store. I found it for about $125. That might not sound cheap to you, but I was pretty sure it was an authentic Louis Philippe mirror from France between 1830 and 1848. The mirror had very rough edges on the back. The silvering had lots of black spots on it. The wood on the back was very, very uneven and appeared to be very old. It looked nothing like any mirror I had seen before. It seemed to be completely hand made.
The disturbing thing was that it was partially painted black. I knew the mirror was not originally painted black. I wondered why someone would do that. The mirror was stunning, and someone put hideous black paint on it. Well no matter, I touched up the paint where the black was, and it looked like new… well I mean it looked like what I thought it should look like.
I was very happy with the new (but very old) mirror. Then we left for our trip to Paris, that had been planned for a year, and I forgot about the mirror.
While in Paris, we stayed at a lovely apartment owned by Madame Catherine. I loved my conversations with Madame. We discussed antiques and many other topics. One day I remembered my mirror, and told her about the awful black paint on my gorgeous mirror. Then she told me a story. Apparently When Napoleon III lost the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, the people were so distraught, they painted many things black as a part of their mourning. She just confirmed what I thought; my mirror was as old as I suspected, or at least pre-1870. And yes I just painted over a piece of history.
I have to say I was pretty excited by that little piece of news. It made me appreciate my mirror even more. I knew the low price was due to the black paint. I wish I had known the black paint was so old before I painted over it. Still, I would have painted over the black any way, because I really didn’t like it.
I just saw another Louis Felipe mirror in an antique shop this past week. The asking price was about $800. Yup, I got a steal. Look at the black specs on the mirror.
It is pretty exciting for me to own a piece of history right in my own home. I mean what did this mirror see? Who owned it? Was it in Paris or elsewhere? The owners must have been so upset to paint it black.
So how do you find a great piece for a cheap price? You have to spend time around antiques. Get to know them, what they look like, what they smell like. When you know what the back of an antique should look like, you will recognize it when you see it. You will be able to tell if something is antique or just distressed. The more you inspect real antiques, the better you will be able to tell if the item is new or antique. The best way to tell is by checking the draws and the back of the furniture. It needs to look out. The dovetails in the draws should not look uniform. The back should be dirty and rough looking.
The more time you are around expensive antiques the more you will recognize a good piece. You’ll know the going price and you will be able to decide if the price is good or not.
The other thing you can do is scout your area. Where are the thrift stores and resale shops? What about the local auctions? These are the places you are more likely to find a bargain, not in a fancy antique shop. Even my vanity was a thrift store redo. You can find that story here. Look around for consignment shops. You can also go to estate sales and check out Craigslist.
Where do you find your goodies?
I can relate! Once I hauled home a huge French Provincial sofa from a donation centre intending to paint the legs and reupholster it in something modern. It sat in my garage for 2 years until I took it right back to the same donation centre!
I usually don’t like French accents by but my I am beginning to appreciate the look—-especially the way you put things together. I love the original ornate mirror.
I wish you would have posted pictures of the drawers you threw away and the chairs you passed up. Just curious……
I’v e Just started to look around at antique stores. So far my purchases have been small, little woven sewing baskets and old sewing notions and thread. I did happen upon an old wooden sewing display case and found that it was similar to one that i inherited from a family member. The one in the store was listed at $600 dollars and the one I have seems to be a bit fancier and in better shape, so I think i have an antique that is worth something. I just love it because I do sewing and needle arts! I’ve purchased a few things thinking they were great treasures only to find they weren’t worth much, but they are still treasures to me and I had the fun of the hunt!
I love the mirror! I’m always on the lookout for treasure like this! The thrill of the hunt gets me a little too excited sometimes so it’s best if my husband doesn’t go. He looks for tools while I look for my jewels.
I want to tear out a modern kitchen unit that holds my microwave and phone book and baking pans underneath. In its “stead”..I want to replace it with a tall antique cupboard I lovingly refinished to put in the cavity. It would mean putting more flooring underneath, replacing a “trim” around existing tall pantry cupboard…getting rid of an antique desk (which held my recipe books) and a non-working oak kitchen clock and clock shelf above. The antique cupboard would hold everything I have in the present cupboard unit. I am older, 67, and hope to live in my home another 20 years. I ask myself if this “change” will be worth it? I love this cupboard dearly and it sets in my garage. I wish I had some expert advice as I follow my “gut.”
Do what makes your heart sing!
That was a great post. Yes, the junk fairy has visited me many times!! Recently I bought a outside chair for $5. Fairy (hubby) eyed it but I said no.
Yes, sometimes being blessed with a “vision” of how things would look after you would fix something can be a detriment because of lack of tools, time, know-how, space…and so we create our messes. For an “antiquer-collector,” it takes everything I have to put something out on the curb!…giving up on that “someday I’ll get this fixed” project. I shop antique, consignment, thrift all the time. Rarely do I go to a mall!
I have had several of those moments! Nice to know I am not the only one! Thanks?
I am a an avid believer in antiques, but love to redo all kinds of “finds”…I own a 4 bedroom B&B in the country, but have retired to a craftman cottage in a small town nearby.
So much stuff…but love to”hunt” still for new finds.
I enjoyed your mirror story and will take your experience on that info and keep hunting.
Enjoyed this story. Love finding treasures especially the hunt–it’s the best part!
I love the “curb” story and your authentic mirror find with historical significance…. Love things with a story as nearly all of mine have!
Thank you for all of your journeys shared with us!
I love hearing about your finds, the good and not so good. It is encouraging to hear these stories. I really enjoy seeing all your posts.
Wonderful post, Anita! Great advice on finding antiques.
Great curbside story! I once hauled 2 curbside white wicker rockers home (much to my husband’s dismay) and by the time I got them home….they had disintegrated on the 30 minute ride! Out to the trash they went as I swept up the remains left behind!
HI Anita, I guess the first thing one should know is what IS an antique? In the United States, to be “antique” an item must be at least 90 ears old. Many things I see in thrift shops, Vintage stores and on line are called antiques when actually, they are just old – maybe 50 to 60 years old but not antique.
Is it important to have antiques? Not for me. I am much more interested in the quality of craftsmanship, the uniqueness of the piece and does it “speak” to me. Do I own antiques? Yes, but only when necessary. I have many gorgeous French styled pieces that were made in Denmark and Italy in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. They are made of walnut with exquisite craftsmanship but cost me 10% of what I would have paid for a true antique.
The other day I listened to a noted antiquarian on “The Skirted Round Table” podcast (via Cote De Texas). He bemoaned the fact that there are so many really good looking non-antiques today that most people are not able to distinguish them from “real” antiques. IMO – this is a great thing for consumers, Just don’t pay an antique price for something that is not.
Your suggestion to learn about antiques by visiting respected and established antique venues is right on. Also visit stores that carry genuine antique hardware (locks, hinges, etc) to learn to distinguish between real antiques and recent reproductions. I have been doing that since I was old enough to ride my bike to our local “antique / vintage” district.
Remember, the word “antique” just means “more than 90 years old”. It says nothing about quality. Some antiques are just old junk while some more recent reproductions are real gems.
My mantras:
“Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s worth your gold.”
“Every antique was once new.”
Smiles from Charlotte Des Fleurs
Great story, You could of made fairy gardens out of your drawers, or Dog or Cat beds.
WHAT a great story!! We have a Louis Philippe dresser that we bought when we lived in Paris (and my husband’s company was moving us back). I always wished for a mirror like yours.
Mary Ann
Very well put together. Style, style, style…whats there left to say. Sweet
and easy to look at. thanks for sharing your talent and “what else” your enthusiasm
for all things gorgeous.
What a great story of your fabulous find! And, as always, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I LOVE what you did with the discount store mirror! That is lovely, and it looks very old!
I have a metal frame that is ornate and heavy, it used to have a glass picture in it, but,sadly, it got broken. I was thinking about doing this kind of paint treatment to it. Thanks for the great stories, and the inspiration!
These days, you can always find great bargains, if the “picker” doesn’t get it first, on antiques and vintage.The current generation wants to get rid of those “old things”, much to the delight of those of us who love them!
Thanks for the post some great information.
Hi Anita, I love your posts and all the information you share with us— SOOOO I Thank You!!!! I was noticing the wall scones in the picture you shared of the mirror; where did you get them & can you share please???
LOL, your story about picking up the drawers I can really relate to. I get so excited when I see anything on curb-side that I pick it up, but most of the time they aren’t worth fixing up, so I end up carting it off to the second hand store. But last year I picked up two beautiful wing back chairs. The upholstery is red and green plaid, which doesn’t go with anything I own, but linen slipcovers are on the list to sew when I get the time!
What a great story about your mirror, what a treasure! I need to spend more time in antique stores, to learn more about what to look for. Thanks for the helpful article!!
I love the remarks on your black painted mirror, the history is so entrancing. I’ve never been a mirror person but antique mirror style is a different issue. I specifically haunt shops for French Normandy Style, recognizing how lucky it is to find something so special.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
I always appreciate you sharing your advice, Anita. =)
Sadly, people do not put things out on the curb here in New Mexico. I don’t know if it’s illegal or what. I think it must be because you just don’t see anything! What a sad thing!!!! It would be lovely to find other people’s “trash” to turn into treasures!
That was a fun story about laboriously carrying the curbside finds home only to discard them later. Thanks for sharing that.
Bren
Well that great news !♥️
Thanks for your fun and encouraging stories! We have been blessed to have inherited many wonderful furniture and household pieces. Unfortunately there were some items that we donated or put in a garage sale because of their “imperfections” as in mirrors with age spots or flawed silver pieces. The great thing is that I have learned that our decorating styles will change and time and a little education teaches us what is, as you so wisely blogged not long ago, “trendy” and what is classically timeless. I must admit that I smile thinking that those imperfect items found homes where they could be rightfully loved, admired and cherished.
PS: Didn’t you do a tutorial on making a floor length drop bedspread? I would love that info. 🙂
Lol on picking up castaways on your walks – wish I lived in a neighborhood like that! It reminded me how my husband and I saw an arbor left out near the road on our way to church one day. Not having time to look it over, we hastily put it in the bed of our truck. When we got home, we save it was so far gone that it wasn’t worth fixing up.
The best treasures I find are at our local thrift store. Our community is very blessed by this store. There is a group of women who sew quilts, weave rugs, knit and crochet crafts, and make candles – all from items donated to the store. They then donate what they’ve made so that it can be sold for the benefit of the store. They’ve used up denim jeans for the rugs and when they make candles, they melt donated ones and use lovely tea cups, etc. to make new candles. I’ve purchased many of these items and the craftsmanship is excellent. There is also a retired teacher who picks up antiques in very poor condition. He lovingly restores them and then donates them. I own one of his restored rocking chairs that I admired when I was shopping there – my husband surprised me by secretly purchasing it for me as a gift.
I love the story of the black paint! How interesting!
My parents always found unique pieces that ended up being true antiques on their travels. I am blessed to have inherited a few, plus some things my grandparents purchased new, that are nearly antiques now (a beautiful art deco bedroom set purchased in the 1930s).
I wonder, though, if it’s getting harder to find that diamond in the rough? Personally, I think you have to shop like Mike on American Pickers, dig through the junk, knowing what you want. LOL
Very interesting stories! Thanks for sharing!