Continuing bits on Estate Sales

As we have been doing, before and after shots are so impressing.  It is visually stimulating and  a sense of accomplishment.  A designer usually does before and after shots to keep to see the progression of work.

I hope you take before and after shots.  It is so easy today as they can be stored on your computer or even on your I Pad or smart phone.  We used to take them and then have them developed and have folders full of them.  So much easier today.

I talked about an estate sale the other day, and I will again today.  Use your good china and crystal, if you have some everyday.  No one wants it and there it is for sale for next to nothing.  One thing I like to do is mix china.  I decided I would like to set a table in white and gold one year for the holidays.  I saw some gold and white plates at Pier 1, and loved them.  However all they had was the dinner plates.  That was when I decided to buy any white and gold dishes.  It really looks great when I set up the whole table with all the different gold and white and use gold silverware.  You have to look all over, resale shops, flea markets, garage sales, even estate sales, and acquire some great pieces.

Beautiful table settings are in all the new magazines.  Look and your will get some great looks. Napkin rings, knife holders centerpieces are only a few great things to look for.

Use what you have or it will end up in a estate sale and never have been used. 

Add fresh flowers, that are now readily available in grocery stores, to add a bit of elegance, no matter what your look is.

Interesting Pieces!

There are so many ways to make a room interesting.  Here are a few:  texture, layering, scale of furniture and pieces, objects and art.

So if you are ready to start your hunt, make sure you have want lists.

Go to several stores in your area, that may have what you want.  Get information and prices on what you are looking at.  Get the price, size, fabric samples and pictures o the piece.  If they don't have the picture or the fabric sample, ask if they can get you one or if you can take a picture with you camera or phone.  Ask them to order a swatch of the fabric, or wallpaper.  You may have to pay a small charge, but it will be worth it.  If you have ever seen a design board, it has all of these things attached to it.  Again, it is visual.  Take pictures of things you like. If you really like the piece and can afford it, go ahead and buy it, it will work in I you really like it.

Here is a picture of a multitude of patterns and colors.  It is done very tastefully and is pleasing to the eye.  An interesting piece the rickshaw.

 

I rather think it is stunning.  Although, you couldn't possibly put all these colors to use in one room.

 

Back to shopping.

 

 List all the prices nest to the item so you know exactly your costs.  If you buy something, take a picture and save it in a file for insurance purposes.  Or perhaps down the line, you may want to sell it, to change again.  Save all warranties and invoices and care information in a file folder or wherever you can go to it.  This is a quick reference guide in case anything gets damaged.

 

Take the swatches of fabrics with you when shopping so you can see them with other things.

 

When you have completed an area, take pictures of it for reference.

 

The majority of people do not want plain things.  They like pretty and usable.

 

When shopping, don't forget antique shops, resale shops, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.  Fridays are the best time to go to garage sales.  Make your list and use your GPS and off at 7:00 A.M..  The early bird catches the worm.  I missed out on a great one, right across the street from me a while ago.  I saw a truck sitting in the street with someone in it at 6:45 A.M.  as I was getting the newspaper.  If I had been smart, I would have looked in the paper to see that  my neighbor was having a moving sale.  When I realized it, I saw this man putting furniture in his truck.  I went over and he had already bought the best stuff.  I did get some great things though.  Not one thing on any of my lists though. Look for furniture in those type of paces that has a good name brand.  Most things made in the 1970's or before were made well.  Look for good bones.

 

Become a flea market aficionado!  Give fresh interpretations of classic designs by either refinishing them or painting them.  What fun to say, "I did that myself", or "Do you want to see what I did?".

That is exciting.

 

I have realized that a good bit of my audience is in Russia.  I really believe that there is a treasure trove of items over there that one can use.  I loved the parts of Italy, Paris, Germany and Hong Kong that I visited.  I just couldn't cart large things back.  I wish I knew then, what I know now and would have done it.

 

In doing old furniture, some pieces may look great in gloss, high gloss (lacquer), stained or highly polished. Decide on a plan or the piece, then do it.