Antiquing



I bought this piece over a year ago at 
Not Too Shabby. It is not antique, but makes for a
fantastic mirror in our bathroom.



I have a severe weakness for antique and consignment furniture shops.  And for good reason.  They mix the perfect cocktail of items - furniture, art, accessories - that decorate a home.   Not only do these stores ooze amazing potential to find really interesting things at often reasonable prices (and many times negotiable - an art that my father-in-law has mastered), but you will always wonder where your purchases travelled before they got to you. 

In the spirit of full disclosure, I despised these shops as a little girl.  The smell alone - a mixture of mothballs and dust - always made me want to run out the door.  You know what I mean.  Why would someone want other people's unwanted junk? Ah, but that is precisely the beauty of these kinds of places.  I am happy to report that a few years ago I saw the light and have since recovered, fully, from this terrible phobia. 

Every decorator - especially novice ones like me - should seek out the antique and furniture shops in his/her community, or any community where you are travelling for that matter.  Sometimes the random antique shops on the side of the road can have the coolest treasures.

Del Ray has truly two of the best antique and furniture consignment shops that I have found. Potomac West Interiors and Antique Gallery and its neighbor, Not Too Shabby Consignments are amazing for three simple reasons: Selection, Price, and Personality.  These places are clearinghouses for smaller vendors, so each little section is made up of a slightly different style. The inventory turns frequently, so a visit each week will unearth new things.  There is also a subtle blend of non-antique items which keeps these spaces even more intriguing. 

The table that started it all.

I stumbled upon these stores a few years ago when my husband, Grant, and I were on a desperate search for another bedside table.  I walked in, turned a corner, and WHAM - there it was.  I was happy and hooked.

This is my latest purchase from Potomac West. They look like
old keys and weigh about 20 lbs each.  I
have no idea what I will do with them, but
I couldn't resist.

Part of my happiness is that I found an interesting shop that will not break the bank, as can happen in some antique shops, and the people are not snooty, which you can find in other such shops.  Plus, on the price tag, the store lists dates when the item will drop in cost if not sold.  This makes the prospects for buying and negotiating even more intriguing.



Grant is from Newport, RI.  I found this in the basement
of Potomac West for $12.  It is an old Newport
Preservation Society Poster of famous places
around town.  Not really my style, but too personal to
pass up.  It was meant to be.



Unlike other types of shopping, "antiquing" is different because you are dealing with items in limited supply, or in many cases things that are one-of-a kind.  What if I try to negotiate down the price? Maybe I should wait until the price drops? Will the price drop? What if I come back to purchase and what I want is gone? Some people get their adrenaline rush through sky diving - I get mine from antique shopping.



My challenge to you is the find antique and home consignment shops in your area.  Tell me what you find and the story they tell.  And, if you are lucky enough to be in Northern Virginia, Potomac West and Not Too Shabby are worth the trip.



I took it home and come to find out - the back of
 the poster is signed. It was a going away gift.
We don't recognize any of the names.