Where to get antique furniture?

dowie · 10 Jun 2016 at 23:37

Any general recommendations?

Been considering a few things - chest of drawers, desk, trunk, filing cabinet...

Now there seem to be a few shops that specialise in this sort of thing - but they seem to be very overpriced. Ebay doesn't seem to be amazing either plus I'd rather avoid ebay.

Are auctions usually good - would they be the sorts of places these shops get their stock from? Or is it more house clearances, car boot sales etc..?

~>Dg<~ · 10 Jun 2016 at 23:43

tbh lots of it has bottomed out and not so much wanted anymore.so unless you after real top end quality decent well made stuff is pretty cheap now.

if you serious about stuff go to antique fairs and such. do some reading and find out what is quality and what is tat.

if its for investment get only good quality items.nothing damaged.

you can get stuff off ebay . just get stuff thats local and pick up.

carboots,fleamarkets,secondhand shops,charity shops are can be good.just remember many of the places the traders are doing the same as what you are looking for.

dowie · 10 Jun 2016 at 23:55

thanks for the reply, it's not for investment but simply buying for myself

so you don't recommend auctions but rather second hand/charity shops and car boot sales etc..?

not sure what you meant by your last sentence?

~>Dg<~ said:
just remember many of the places the traders are doing the same as what you are looking for.

radderfire · 10 Jun 2016 at 23:56

For the kind of stuff you are after I would say a look at your local auction houses would be worthwhile.

MrMD · 11 Jun 2016 at 01:11

It depends what sort off quality your after,antique dealers may seem expensive,but usually the pieces of furniture you will find in these places is of excellent condition and has been fully restored.

If your prepared to put the work in,auctions and house clearances can be good,but often will require restoration work.Ebay can be ok,just make sure you get plenty of pics to check for damage/dodgy restoration work.

Car boot sales are not worth it for furniture,only smalls.

where in the country are you?

dowie · 11 Jun 2016 at 01:52

Midlands and London

Tosno · 11 Jun 2016 at 01:55

I get mine from charity shops

MrMD · 11 Jun 2016 at 01:56

dowie said:
Midlands and London

I'll ask some of the people in work who know more about furniture dealers down south about wheres good to go down that way (The family business is antique fireplaces

)

I know for a fact that in London antique furniture in ridiculously priced for the most part however :eek:

dowie · 11 Jun 2016 at 02:08

Thanks, yeah I think (at least as far as dedicated 'antique shops' are concerned) I'd be avoiding London and buying in the Midlands.

Looks like Leamington has an auction house and at least one charity shop specialising in furniture... no idea what they're like.

Uther · 11 Jun 2016 at 04:48

Didn't realise you were that close Dowie! Have a look at Warwick and Stratford too, there's a few around the area. I would avoid London for the premium you pay in in prices.

PlacidCasual · 11 Jun 2016 at 07:37

Leamington, isnt an unreasonable distance to drive to Malvern. There are regularly some very large antiques fairs and flea markets at the Three Counties Show Ground.

Skidder · 11 Jun 2016 at 08:11

Tetbury is chock full of antiques shops and a nice day put from the Midlands.

uber soldat · 11 Jun 2016 at 09:04

Step 1 - go to old persons house.
Step 2 - buy their furniture.

Job done

danoliver1 · 11 Jun 2016 at 12:32

The past.

scrivz69 · 11 Jun 2016 at 12:46

http://www.fullyfurnishedyork.com/shop/ does some old stuff and delivers.

Pawnless Endgame · 11 Jun 2016 at 18:23

Edrof · 11 Jun 2016 at 18:29

dowie said:
Any general recommendations?

Been considering a few things - chest of drawers, desk, trunk, filing cabinet...

Now there seem to be a few shops that specialise in this sort of thing - but they seem to be very overpriced. Ebay doesn't seem to be amazing either plus I'd rather avoid ebay.

Are auctions usually good - would they be the sorts of places these shops get their stock from? Or is it more house clearances, car boot sales etc..?

I use auctions houses all the time (although I don't win much!). General auctions ALWAYS have furniture in and it often goes for a song, relatively. You will have a local auction house that will probably hold a sale each month with viewing days before. You can leave absentee bids if there is something you like but you can't attend the sale. Hope that helps!

APM · 11 Jun 2016 at 18:52

Go to a few auctions and see if anything takes your fancy and if it's affordable to you.

Housey · 11 Jun 2016 at 18:57

http://www.richardwinterton.co.uk/index.htm

Tony used to be my neighbour, Richard is his son I think. He has some lovely furniture come through (as he had in his house) one of which I managed to break to which he responded don't worry, "it's only 300 years old".

~>Dg<~ · 11 Jun 2016 at 18:59

dowie said:
thanks for the reply, it's not for investment but simply buying for myself

so you don't recommend auctions but rather second hand/charity shops and car boot sales etc..?

not sure what you meant by your last sentence?

i meant going to auctions you will be bidding against traders who know what they looking at. so i would start by just doing some reading and going to boot sales , charity shops and lower end places while you get a grasp of what you looking for.

the things you mentioned arnt high end so they should be easy to get a hold of anywhere as they are common items. last 10 -15 years all of those items like most old furniture is not wanted.

many people are wanting " modern " living to go with the tech lifestyle.

i worked in antiques for many years wood working before that used to do newark antiques fair a lot also.