ANATOMY OF ANTIQUES: An Insiders Guide to Antique Trends, Sourcing Secrets and Must Knows of Style

Presented by Toma Clark Haines

• Modern day antiquing is more than just finding that perfect period piece for a client, rather it’s uncovering unique objects that truly reflect your clients personality and sensibility.

• When using antiques you need to be able to mix those new found treasures with modern spaces with new furnishings.

• Today I will take you on through a crash course in the latest trends in Europe Antiques - and discuss how they are incorporated into modern lives and modern furnishings.

• I will give you insiders information on what designers and dealers are sourcing abroad - and forecast what antique trends I see on the horizon.

• You’ll enjoy a ride through some of the world's greatest Antique Fairs learning the hottest antiquing destinations in cities across European, the U.S.A and online.

The Antiques Diva®

Image: Sweden Antiques Diva Tour

The Antiques Diva®• I own Europe’s largest antiques

touring and sourcing company.

• We lead one on one customized antique buying tours in 8 countriesand I have 18 guides.

• We work with tourists and the trade – antique dealers and interior designers sourcing antiques abroad.

• On tour we translate, we negotiateand we liaise buyers with international shippers to help get your goods home sweet home across the pond.

• For those times when you can’t travel in person we offer Buying Services Shopping On Your Behalf.

Toma Clark HainesChief Executive Diva

The Antiques Diva® & Co European Tours

www.antiquesdiva.com

Trends in Antiques• When I was asked to speak on this topic at first

I was intimidated…. But then I realized if I systematically set about reviewing what my clients were buying we could predict the general direction things were moving in antiques.

What is a Trend?

The Antiques Diva® & Co• As a company we have a unique global view

with inside access on trend setters in design.

• We help source antiques in Europe – thus, we’re privy to information on what dealers are looking for and buying before it hits the floor in a store or shows up in a magazine spread often years after it was purchased abroad.

• There is a growing trend that more and more furniture showrooms are incorporating antique and vintage furniture, accessories and lighting.

• Additionally manufacturers are seeking inspiration tours –where we help them find inspiration for developing their new furniture or lighting lines.

• Technical Way of Tracking Trends/PatternsImage: Sweden Antiques Diva Tour

Method Behind Madness?

How Do Trends Develop?

Image: Dolce & Gabana 2010

Purpose Driven Pieces So when it comes to antiques what are the

people buying abroad? As I went through my notes it was clear the most consistent thing regardless of period or style - is that almost all my clients are seeking PURPOSE DRIVEN PIECES.

Arm Chairs

Tables

Chest of Drawers

Buffets & Sideboards

Desks

But one thing surprised me - even though everyone has said for the last decade that Brown Woods are Out, More 18th & 19th C Brown Woods have been Purchased than anything else thus far in 2014 than anything else. Image Country Living

Does this mean Brown Woods are Coming Back in Fashion?

What’s Next in Antiques?

Image: Architectural Digest Lee Stanton

I would argue that Brown is Coming Back!

• Lee Stanton is a noted antiquarian and thirty year collector of British and European antiques. He’s considered a visionary, he’s the head of Legends in La Cienega's and one of the premier suppliers of fine period antiques in the USA. He is a Trend Setter!

• His home was recently featured in Architecture Digest magazine – and it heavily featured traditional brown woods.

For the last decade 18th & 19th C brown woods have been on the back burner and British antique dealers in particular have

suffered as a result. All it takes is 1 article such as this showing a trendsetter

to spark the trend!

Brown is Coming Back

Image: Architectural Digest Lee Stanton – French Pedestal Table, English Side Tables

Brown is Coming Back

Image: Architectural Digest Lee Stanton – English Trestle Table, Italian Stool and Provence Chairs

Image: Architectural Digest Circa-1840 French spiral staircase and Neo Classical Busts

Even though traditional antiques are featured in every room – it still feels very current.

Making Antiques Modern• Traditional Antiques are being

used in Modern Fresh Ways

Image: Skona Hem

• Traditional Antiques are being mixed with Modern Design

Image: March Collective

• We use Antiques is in Clean & Contemporary Interiors.

• Antiques are being mixed with Comfortable pieces.

• This juxtaposition of styles is what makes using antiques modern.

• Today there is an irreverence to antiques that is refreshing!

• Antiques are for everyday.

Brown is the New Black

Inspiration Photo of a House Beautiful Philip Gorrivan spread

• While we’ve always seen upholstered antiques getting facelifts and traditional brown woods being whitewashed in recent years there has been a trend towards bleaching the woods creating a Belgian & Provencal look.

• The newest trend our clients are seeking is to lacquer traditional brown pieces.

Piece Purchased in Belgium to be lacquered black

Piece recently lacquered for 1000E modeled after Gorrivan

The Economy of Trends• Gentrification of Neighborhoods

• In Antiques, the Millennials (aka “the Ikea Generation”) are driving this trend for dark woods. Young buyers want affordable home fashions but they don’t want the same flat-packed design they’ll find at their neighbors house next door.

• They can buy antique and vintage brown furniture for similar – or often lower -prices than in box stores and at the same time are able to express their individuality through unique one-of-a-kind finds.

• Once a posh habitat of the older elite these brown woods are working their way into the homes of a younger demographic and I predict a gentrification of the brown woods.

Because Brown Woods have been out of fashion prices have plummeted over the last decade reaching an all time low

Savvy Antiques Dealers Buy Low – Sell High… thus with 18th & 19th C brown woods at an all time low dealers are clueing in that now is the time to buy brown before prices increase.

Unique One of a Kind Finds• Clients are seeking unique one of a kind

finds.

• When it comes to buying antiques clients want to buy a story – something with history attached to it

• Pieces with personality sell faster at higher prices than any other types of inventory!

• Big Bold Paintings are in – the bigger – the darker – the bolder – the better.

THINK BIG: Bigger Items in Europe are Less Expensive because residents have smaller homes thus less demand means better prices. When buying abroad Go Big in order to maximize your profit margin!

Photo From High Point Antique & Design Center

MantiquesMantiques, Grand Tour and Country House Accessories are HOT! • Chunky vintage leather-clad furniture - from the

30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s is on trend.• Travelling cases and trunks• Globes & Maps – Vintage Cartography• Clients are buying pieces that feel “collected,

evolved, well-traveled.”

Image Above & Right: Antiques Diva Paris Tour

Curiosities• Religious Reliquaries and Statues• Taxidermy and Bones.• Stone Fragments and Statues• Industrial

Image: Antiques Diva Tours

Top Quality Sells Best

Image: Antiques Diva Paris Tour

• One of the Biggest Trends in Antiques has nothing to do with Style – But rather with Quality.

• Clients want Period Pieces – Real Antiques – Swedish is in Very High Demand as Investment Pieces.

• No one wants to buy pieces that are average quality.

• Clients are either buying Top Quality Pieces or they are seeking significant bargains.

• I want to reiterate what I said before about being Practical –“If I’m Going to Buy It, I’m going to use it.”

• If you want to invest in antiques you can’t go wrong with high quality Scandinavian Rococo, Gustavian or Mid Century

Top QualityInterior Designer Timothy Corrigan and his insiders glimpse An Invitation to Chateau du Grand-Luce has definitely influence this driving trend towards living graciously everyday with top quality antiques.

Timothy Corrigan has made antiques accessible.

Mid Century Modern• From Europe to American Mid Century Modern

is sweeping the globe. Along with this goes Art Déco and 60’s and 70’s swank.

• Best places to Buy? Sweden & Italy.

• LIGHTING is in exceptionally HIGH DEMAND!

Image: Antiques Diva Italy (left) and Sweden (right) Tours

Swedish• One of our Top Selling Tours in

2014 and with advance bookings for 2015 has been Swedish.

• True Period Pieces are in demand.

• Top Quality, Original or Secondary Paint.

• Incredible profit margin is possible.

• Gustavian always is in fashion –but also Rococo, Baroque and Empire.

• Do you know the historical difference between Swedish and French pieces

Swedish Image: Antiques Diva Sweden Tours

Rustic ChicOur Most Popular Requests for 2014 are Rustic Chic incorporating• Repurposed• Re-crafted• Architectural Salvage• Dash of Industrial• Painted French & Swedish• Naturalia• Raw woods• Original Paint is KEY

Image: Antiques Diva England Tours

Rustic Chic

Image: Antiques Diva England Tours

Rustic Chic

Image: Antiques Diva England Tours

LightingOne of the top requests among designers and showrooms has been lighting both vintage and antique.

Architectural SalvageOur #1 Trend in 2014 and 2015 is Architectural Salvage.

Global Markets

FRANCE

• L’isle sur la sorgue• Provence• Avignon Trade Fair • Montepellier Trade

Fair• Lille

Best of the Best

BELGIUM

• Antwerp• Brussels• Tongeren• Brugge

Best PricesArchitectural Salvage

ENGLAND

• London• Sussex• Southern Coast / Kent• Cotwolds• West Counties• NewarkChoreographed & Chic yet less expensive than Paris

Global Markets

ITALY

• Tuscany• Le Marche• Emilia Romagna• Arezzo & Lucca• Florence• MilanGreat for Painted, Arch Salvage & Garden

SWEDEN

• Southern Sweden• Helsingborg• Malmo• Stockholm• Auctions

Top quality period pieces, mid C modern

When is Best Time To Go:

• Feb, March, April• Watch out for Easter!• May is difficult due to 3

religious holidays• June• Avoid last half July and

August• September, October,

November• December and January

can be difficult

Flea Marketing USA

Alameda Flea MarketNorthern California's largest flea market takes place the first Sunday of each month (800 vendors)

Brimfield Antique Show and Flea MarketThe grande dame of the flea market antique shows has more than 5000 dealers filling 21 fields. Brimfield hosts three Tuesday-through-Sunday shows each year in May, July, and September.

GreenFlea Market in ManhattanShop GreenFlea Market on Manhattan's Upper West Side each Sunday

Daytona Flea & Farmers MarketShop the huge Daytona Flea & Farmers Market in Daytona Beach, Florida for 1000 booths

Flea Marketing USARound Top Texas - Marburger Farm Antique Show.Twice a year in spring and autumn people flock to Round Top, Texas, for Antiques Week a shopping extravaganza among the worlds best!

Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible MarketThe Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market has 20 acres of treasure-filled booths, takes place on the third Sunday of each month 800 vendors.

Rose Bowl Flea MarketThe legendary Rose Bowl Flea Market opens on the second Sunday of every month, more than 2500 booths.

Scott’s Antique Market AtlantaScott Antique Market, America's favorite treasure hunt, is held the second weekend of each month at the Atlanta Expo Center. With more than 3500 exhibitor

• NEVER let not understanding international shipping deter you from buying abroad.

• The most important thing you can do is to USE an experienced company with whom you have good interaction. I recommend contacting 3 shippers.

• If you want to bring something home with you & pack it in your suitcase – it’s usually cash & carry.

• If you’re only buying 1 thing on impulse often the antique dealer will recommend one for you.

• If you are going to Europe & planning to buy then contact a shipper before you go to set up an account.

• They will give you a book of Purchase Orders & Stickers to tag your purchases as you shop.

Shipping

• When finished shopping you will do a bank transfer or give a credit card to the shipper’s client account.

• The shipper will pick up the items from the vendor, pay on your behalf, produce the proper paperwork for customs clearance, organize your insurance and transport your purchases to your home or shop.

• Price quotes for shipping are often only to the nearest port. Ask if you want the piece shipped to your front door.

• The shipper will designate a broker for you to clear the goods through customs.

• The important thing to remember with shipping THE MORE YOU BUY the CHEAPER it is!

• All antiques – if over 100 years old – are Duty Free!

Shipping

With Justin Shaulis, Lynn Yaeger, Janet, Marion Harris, Shaun Smith Gail McLeod, Susan Pennington, John Bottero at Mercanteinfiera

A Few Shippers Names

• Adam Crease• Chudleys• Air Sea Freight• Edet • Alan Franklin• Headley Humpers

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Email: toma@antiquesdiva.com

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