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Saturday, January 03, 2009
Antique Bargains
antique rca radio Article Of The Month
How Antiques Fit Perfectly With Many Decorating Styles
By Andrew Caxton
Antiques can really make a house look impressive and sophisticated if you know what you are doing. However, there is a chance that you can get it wrong so you do need to research beforehand so that you know you are getting it right and that your home will benefit.
Have you ever thought about using antiques to brighten up your home? Some people consider antiques to be a little dated and they would never think of having them in their own home; however they can add a sophisticated touch without looking too imposing.
How to Make Antiques Work for You
Antiques are generally associated with old houses. However more and more people are starting to use them in their modern homes as they find that they can really brighten up the living space. You can purchase antiques from a number of different places and it is even possible to find them at your local flea market. So what classes as an antique?
Well generally an antique is old. It may sound obvious but people do still wonder just how old something has to be before it is considered an antique. The best way to find out how old something is is to take it to a valuer. They will be able to tell you what period it is from which will tell you its age. They should also tell you how valuable it is and antiques are usually fairly valuable!
So once you start to realize what an antique is, it is then that you will be able to find various different things for your home that will add that little antique look.
The various antiques you can pick up include ones which are in perfect condition, but sometimes people prefer something which shows its age. Perhaps something with a slight missing detail to it will suit your home more? Perhaps you are looking for a antique wardrobe or an antique chest of drawers? It seems to be common these days to have an antique chair or unit to go in the living room too. You can pick these various items up from an antique auction and generally the dark wooden antiques are the ones which most people prefer.
One of the main things to keep in mind is that antiques do have the ability to look good in a modern setting, but they also have the potential to look ugly. You should never buy something just because of its antique status. If you do this you run the risk of putting an antique in your home which brings down the tone of the room. People will walk in and instantly be drawn to the ugly, antique in the corner. So, ensure that it looks good and that it will fit in with the rest of the interior design.
Overall with antiques it is easy to get it wrong but if you spend time researching you have the ability to make your home look fantastic. Spend time looking around and going to antiques fairs if you can as well as auctions. Know what is in and what isnt and also get a feel for what would go well within your home. Antiques can look good but you do have to know what you are doing.
About The Author
Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles with reference to home decoration for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on decorating styles at his website.
More Info On antique rca radio
Check the Finish. The exterior of the piece should be a uniform color, except for variations that would naturally occur through exposure to the elements and use. Surface blemishes and scars are acceptable, but burn marks can�t be taken out or painted over without cutting out that section of wood, so avoid buying antiques with a burn unless you can live with it. A piece of furniture costing more than $300 shouldn�t have any visible nails; their presence may be signs of a sloppy repair job.
Buy antique jewelry today!
GET IT IN WRITING: any claims made about the item you are buying related to its age, origin, condition, or anything else that affects it value should be on the receipt. So should the dealer's name, address and telephone number. The receipt may help you get your money back later if required.
Buy an Emerson antique radio today!
Examine the Drawers. Check the drawers. Make sure they slide in and out without resistance or wobbling. Most pieces of furniture made before 1900 will have dovetail joints on the drawers. Dovetails will be precise on pieces made after the advent of the machine age in the 1830s or 1840s; dovetails executed before that will be uneven and done by hand. Butt joints are a sign of inferior workmanship.
Buy antique jewelry today!
REPAIRING JOINTS. Furniture joints are usually held together with glue, pegs, wedges, screws, nails, or sometimes a combination of these. They're usually the first thing to fix on a chair or table. This is a good project for a beginner, and it often prevents further significant damage to your furniture. If a piece is broken, you can usually replace it. This is especially true when a dresser drawer guide (also called a glider) is missing; that's one of the most common repairs to antique furniture. Remove the broken piece. If it can be glued back together, do so. With less valuable furnishings, many auction houses use hot glue for this purpose. For other jobs, wood glue and some reinforcements may be necessary. And, in a few cases, you'll use a specialized glue that's correct for the time period of the furniture. If a broken or missing piece cannot be fixed, a local carpenter or woodshop can probably make a replacement piece for you. But, take the broken piece to a home improvement store first; many of them carry standard wooden shapes and sizes that fit popular styles of furniture. To repair loose joints, disassemble the pieces, sand off the old glue, and apply fresh glue. If the parts need to be held in place for hours while they dry, be sure to use a clamp that won't leave a mark on the furniture. Many antiques shops use a special web clamp; this is a smart investment if you expect to repair much furniture. Otherwise, nylon rope or long strips of cotton (about two inches wide) can be tied, tourniquet style, to hold the parts in place while drying.
Buy antique jewelry today!
IS IT WISE TO REPAIR IT? Sometimes, what looks like damage actually makes an antique valuable. As with vintage cars, the original paint or finish on an antique desk might be prized, no matter what its condition.
Buy pewter antique jewelry today!
Some antique rca radio Stories
How Much Would You Pay for a Bakelite Bulldog Pin?
If you're like me, as much as I adore this little guy, what you're willing to pay for a Bakelite bulldog pin is a lot less than what someone...
A Holiday Greeting from Your Guide
I'm taking a break to enjoy some holiday cheer with my beloved. Before I step away from the computer for a bit, I thought I'd share one more of...
¶ 6:21 AM 0 comments
antique rca radio Article Of The Month
How Antiques Fit Perfectly With Many Decorating Styles
By Andrew Caxton
Antiques can really make a house look impressive and sophisticated if you know what you are doing. However, there is a chance that you can get it wrong so you do need to research beforehand so that you know you are getting it right and that your home will benefit.
Have you ever thought about using antiques to brighten up your home? Some people consider antiques to be a little dated and they would never think of having them in their own home; however they can add a sophisticated touch without looking too imposing.
How to Make Antiques Work for You
Antiques are generally associated with old houses. However more and more people are starting to use them in their modern homes as they find that they can really brighten up the living space. You can purchase antiques from a number of different places and it is even possible to find them at your local flea market. So what classes as an antique?
Well generally an antique is old. It may sound obvious but people do still wonder just how old something has to be before it is considered an antique. The best way to find out how old something is is to take it to a valuer. They will be able to tell you what period it is from which will tell you its age. They should also tell you how valuable it is and antiques are usually fairly valuable!
So once you start to realize what an antique is, it is then that you will be able to find various different things for your home that will add that little antique look.
The various antiques you can pick up include ones which are in perfect condition, but sometimes people prefer something which shows its age. Perhaps something with a slight missing detail to it will suit your home more? Perhaps you are looking for a antique wardrobe or an antique chest of drawers? It seems to be common these days to have an antique chair or unit to go in the living room too. You can pick these various items up from an antique auction and generally the dark wooden antiques are the ones which most people prefer.
One of the main things to keep in mind is that antiques do have the ability to look good in a modern setting, but they also have the potential to look ugly. You should never buy something just because of its antique status. If you do this you run the risk of putting an antique in your home which brings down the tone of the room. People will walk in and instantly be drawn to the ugly, antique in the corner. So, ensure that it looks good and that it will fit in with the rest of the interior design.
Overall with antiques it is easy to get it wrong but if you spend time researching you have the ability to make your home look fantastic. Spend time looking around and going to antiques fairs if you can as well as auctions. Know what is in and what isnt and also get a feel for what would go well within your home. Antiques can look good but you do have to know what you are doing.
About The Author
Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles with reference to home decoration for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on decorating styles at his website.
More Info On antique rca radio
Check the Finish. The exterior of the piece should be a uniform color, except for variations that would naturally occur through exposure to the elements and use. Surface blemishes and scars are acceptable, but burn marks can�t be taken out or painted over without cutting out that section of wood, so avoid buying antiques with a burn unless you can live with it. A piece of furniture costing more than $300 shouldn�t have any visible nails; their presence may be signs of a sloppy repair job.
Buy antique jewelry today!
GET IT IN WRITING: any claims made about the item you are buying related to its age, origin, condition, or anything else that affects it value should be on the receipt. So should the dealer's name, address and telephone number. The receipt may help you get your money back later if required.
Buy an Emerson antique radio today!
Examine the Drawers. Check the drawers. Make sure they slide in and out without resistance or wobbling. Most pieces of furniture made before 1900 will have dovetail joints on the drawers. Dovetails will be precise on pieces made after the advent of the machine age in the 1830s or 1840s; dovetails executed before that will be uneven and done by hand. Butt joints are a sign of inferior workmanship.
Buy antique jewelry today!
REPAIRING JOINTS. Furniture joints are usually held together with glue, pegs, wedges, screws, nails, or sometimes a combination of these. They're usually the first thing to fix on a chair or table. This is a good project for a beginner, and it often prevents further significant damage to your furniture. If a piece is broken, you can usually replace it. This is especially true when a dresser drawer guide (also called a glider) is missing; that's one of the most common repairs to antique furniture. Remove the broken piece. If it can be glued back together, do so. With less valuable furnishings, many auction houses use hot glue for this purpose. For other jobs, wood glue and some reinforcements may be necessary. And, in a few cases, you'll use a specialized glue that's correct for the time period of the furniture. If a broken or missing piece cannot be fixed, a local carpenter or woodshop can probably make a replacement piece for you. But, take the broken piece to a home improvement store first; many of them carry standard wooden shapes and sizes that fit popular styles of furniture. To repair loose joints, disassemble the pieces, sand off the old glue, and apply fresh glue. If the parts need to be held in place for hours while they dry, be sure to use a clamp that won't leave a mark on the furniture. Many antiques shops use a special web clamp; this is a smart investment if you expect to repair much furniture. Otherwise, nylon rope or long strips of cotton (about two inches wide) can be tied, tourniquet style, to hold the parts in place while drying.
Buy antique jewelry today!
IS IT WISE TO REPAIR IT? Sometimes, what looks like damage actually makes an antique valuable. As with vintage cars, the original paint or finish on an antique desk might be prized, no matter what its condition.
Buy pewter antique jewelry today!
Some antique rca radio Stories
How Much Would You Pay for a Bakelite Bulldog Pin?
If you're like me, as much as I adore this little guy, what you're willing to pay for a Bakelite bulldog pin is a lot less than what someone...
A Holiday Greeting from Your Guide
I'm taking a break to enjoy some holiday cheer with my beloved. Before I step away from the computer for a bit, I thought I'd share one more of...
Labels: english antique furniture | discount antique furniture | furniture antique
