ARTS & ANTIQUES
BECOME AN ANTIQUES - HUNTING EXPERT
T
he experts from the Decorative Fair in Battersea have passed on their top tips for buying standout antiques. In the three decades that this prestigious Fair has been running, the dealers that sell there have offered visitors a wealth of antiques-hunting insight. Now, more than ever, antiques are being mixed into chic modern interiors, as well as to add authenticity to period homes. Here, the dealers that know the market best, offer us their insider tips for buying and decorating with unique finds…. 1. Whether you pay a few pounds or several thousand, a finely crafted antique will retain value far better than a brand new mass-produced item. It is money well spent. 2. Have confidence in who you are buying from: always go to reputable dealers, those standing at a vetted fair, or who are members of trade associations such as LAPADA or BADA. 3. If you like a piece of upholstered furniture but not the colour or textile, don’t be afraid to ask the dealer if they will consider re-covering within the asking price. If it’s a valuable piece, they are more likely to. 4. Antiques mix effectively in modern interiors and needn’t feel old-fashioned or fussy. Fall in love with a ‘hero’ piece and it will mingle happily with your existing room scheme. 5. If you are interested in a specialist field, it’s worth investing in one or two well-regarded books on the subject. There are dealers in new and secondhand collectors’ and design books who are worth
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“If you like a piece of upholstered furniture but not the colour or textile, don’t be afraid to ask the dealer if they will consider recovering within the asking price”
consulting. 6. Check a piece of furniture before you buy it. Don’t be afraid to open drawers or cupboards to check that the age of lining and interior woods corresponds to the exterior surface. Check for modern screws or nails. Older pieces (pre-1860) should have wooden fixings as a general rule. English painted furniture originated in the 18th century and would have used light, freely available woods such as pine or beech, not mahogany or the more expensive hardwoods. 7. Polished or natural brown wood looks fantastic against a colourful background, ideal if you favour patterned wallpaper or bright hues of paint. Wood blends perfectly in rooms of neutral tones and with upholstered furniture, especially when it’s multi-coloured. 8. Antiques and vintage items are often one-ofa-kind; they create an atmosphere of their own and express individuality. Unlike new furniture, which usually has to be ordered and waited on for weeks, you can take an antique home with you, or have it delivered right away. Follow your gut instinct when buying and you will be rewarded. Their next event at Battersea is The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair between 17 - 22 April 2018