  It all began many years ago with a craving for 7 layer cake when my ex-husband gallantly ventured out into the snowy night in search of an open bakery. The bakeries were closed but Jay didn't return empty handed. Instead of a cake box, he walked through the door with a snow-covered, dusty old relic of a typewriter which some good samaritan had polluted the sidewalk with. Realizing that men will be boys, I stifled my impulse to argue and halfheartedly agreed to let it share a tiny part of our home - a closet floor.
 Something unexpected happened the day I took it from the closet to tinker with it. Lightly touching its keys I experienced a strong sense of oneness with the past and found myself wondering who had owned it, what impressions its keys had left over the years, and how many broken hearts these impressions may have caused during its heydey. It didn't exactly fit the decor, nor could I get it to work. Yet, with all of its history, this typewriter was too noble to live in a closet. So I shined it up and sat it atop a $999 mediterranean coffee table. Over the next few weeks I developed an affinity with this old hunk of machinery and, quite unexpectedly, the expensive mediterannean decor surrounding it began to look out of place.
And so began my introduction into the world of searching and collecting and restoring, and falling in love over and over again. Armed with very little in the way of dollars, and very much determination, the hunt began. Piece by piece the mediterannean furnishings went, and, piece by piece I began to build an empire of days gone by. Here is what I discovered along the way:
HOW TO ACQUIRE ANTIQUES ON A BUDGET...
APARTMENT BUILDING BASEMENTS - YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SUPER
Get to know each super of the apartment buildings in your area. They can generally be found standing in front of their buildings caring for the premises. Having a dog is beneficial. But only if the dog behaves. Smile every time you see them. And when the timing is right, make some small talk. Soon you will be able to approach them and ask "any old furniture in your basement?" Never let on that you are looking for antiques. I have been given the basement tour many times and have ended up with some remarkable finds for which I have forked over a ten dollar bill. This leaves both of you happy. The more you clear out of his basement, the less he has to lug out on garbage pickup day. You wouldn't believe the things apartment dwellers discard. At this very moment I am sitting at an oak desk whose legs are ornately carved ladies --- for which I have been offered $500. Cost? $10.
BASEMENTS - ON YOUR OWN
WARNING: To be done at your own risk and always accompanied by a couple of brave friends. Wear good running shoes and bring along a flashlight with Everready batteries. Do not go it alone for even if no-one is lurking in nooks and crannies to grab you, the smallest sound will do you in. CAUTION: Do this quietly. Supers are often down there escaping their nagging wives and they do not appreciate uninvited guests treading on their territory. If you get caught, say "Hi, we're looking for cats." Every basement has them so you will be believed. Should you get caught exiting with goodies, first smile. Then say " hi, we were looking for cats and found this junk." The most he can do is have you put everything back. If your finds are good, quickly offer money. Never look guilty. If you do, he will assume you are.
LANDLORDS
Make it known that you are a junk collector. Tenants pass on and in many instances landlords have the task of disposing of the contents of his apartments. My landlord has knocked on my door several times with offerings. Never refuse anything or you will get no more. I have thanked him profusely.... once for a broken radio and once for a flower pot. But the third time he knocked at my door he handed me a magnificant old hand-crocheted bedspread.
HAUNTED HOUSES
One never knows. It is not worth the risk. Stay away.
ANTIQUE RELATIVES
Insist on visiting to inspect everything before they discard it. Chances are that if they have been around a long time so have the belongings they are getting rid of.
FLEA MARKETS / GARAGE SALES
Anything can turn up here. Best to wait almost till closing time when vendors are desperate to get rid of what they couldn't move earlier...at much lower prices. Never believe a price tag. Bargaining is the name of the game. If you must, walk away from your find and return a little later when you are likely to be offered that $25 vase for $15.
AUCTIONS
Not for the novice or those on a budget but attend to see what is being sold and what prices are being paid. Some day you may happen upon a windfall and then you can go back armed with all the knowledge you gained.
ANTIQUE STORES
Here, again, bargain! There is no such thing as a fixed price. The numbers on the tag are only there because the proprieter was drunk and had a fat, felt tip pen. Some antique store dealers never tag their merchandise. Rather, they will size you up when you enter the store and try to determine how much cash is in your purse. Always go antiquing in torn jeans and leave the Gucci bag at home.
THRIFT SHOPS
This is where your local antique dealer goes to pick up something for $10 on which he adds a tag and uses his fat felt tip pen to mark a big number. Go often and be alert. Thrift shops carry many small pieces of furniture with huge possibilities. They are also a good source for old costume jewelry, bric-a-brac and lots of jazzy stuff.
------- AND WHAT TO DO WITH THEM ONCE YOU HAVE THEM
SALVAGES
You spot something fantastic at a great price but it is badly damaged. Or, worse yet, you spot half of something fantastic. It doesn't have to be aggravating: A broken desk with an ornately carved drawer is salvageable in part if the price is right. Pay for the drawer and leave the desk behind. Sit it on the floor in front of a sunny window and fill it with plants. Or use it to house magazines. Spot another piece that is entirely damaged all except for its heavily carved legs? Screw a couple of cuphooks down the length of the leg and mount the leg to a kitchen wall to show off some fancy mugs.
COLLECTIONS
There are many old collectibles out there waiting to be found. The thrill of the chase is exciting, the habit addicting. Here are some ideas to get you started:
|
Small mirrors................................ | Cover entire wall behind bed |
|
Salt & pepper shakers................. | Display on shelf in kitchen |
|
Paperweights/snow globes............ | Crowd atop a desk |
| Evening bags............................... | Hang on wall |
| Old hats...................................... | Wear them. Very foxy |
| Tiny tables.................................. |
Group together to hold collections |
| Perfume bottles............................ | Display on dressing table |
| Old Keys................................... | Mount on velvet covered plywood |
MAKING YOUR ANTIQUES GROW
Two years ago I purchased an old oak washstand at a steal: $100. A year later I sold it for $175, added $50, and with $225 in my pocket invested in a bigger and better piece of oak furniture. After 6 months I sold this piece at another tremendous profit, added a few more dollars and went shopping again. This process eventually turned the original $100 oak washstand into an oak server sporting hand carved gargoyles (which Smokey used to love to grimace at). Although a previous owner had painted the server blue, the refinishing task was well worth the effort. You will see this beautiful piece in the photo gallery above. The trick to buying this way is to keep an eye out for unique pieces at good prices which go up in value as they become scarcer. A few sure bets are stained glass windows, anything made of oak, anything funky and all that is Decco. At one point this upgrading process reaches a peak. You are now the proud owner of something you wouldn't part with for a zillion bucks.
A FEW CLOSING THOUGHTS
..... Antiques are rarely in perfect condition. Never paint wood. Invest in a book on furniture refinishing and practice. it is not as difficult as one might think
.....Learn how to use tools and make minor repairs.
.....Find yourself a man (not in basements) who is handy.
A few years ago the New York Times reported that "A lamp found hanging in a church rectory in the South Bronx had been identified as having a Tiffany shade and has been appraised at $15,000-$19,000. The lamp had been hanging there for years before being noticed. 'It was just a lamp to me,' someone at the church was quoted as saying. 'I thought it was ugly.'"
P.S. In case you are wondering, Smokey was one of my basement finds. An adorable but ferocious housewrecking cat tossed into my arms by the last accommodating super that I lied to. Smokey passed through the rainbow in 1990. No matter what I display on that beautiful oak server, it still looks empty without his body gracing it.
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A
GALLERY OF GOLDEN OLDIES
