Monthly Archives: October 2011

Buying antique curio cabinets

Are you looking for antique curio cabinets? These curio cabinets are perfect to hold some of your antique collectibles and other small things. Many antique collectors go crazy with antique curio cabinets. These cabinets are very valuable and at the same time, adds a touch of nostalgia and elegance to their homes. It increases its value as well!

Tips when buying antique curio cabinets

When looking for antique curio cabinets, you have to decide first what type of antique curio cabinet you need and if you have the budget for it. That is why it is very important that you browse through different antique curio cabinets being sold in antique stores, auctions or through the World Wide Web. This will give you an idea on the price range of these antique curio cabinets and this will help you set your budget.

When it comes to the types of antique curio cabinets, most are made of wood with art and craft works on it. The color, shape and the size can be decided only when you get into the store. So, visit a store near you or browse online and look into what is available. The World Wide Web will provide you with a wider selection.

Once you have looked through antique curio cabinets whether online or not and you have determined the amount of money you need, it is time that you take measurements in the shop or ask for the measurements from the seller if you’re purchasing online. Asking for the measurements will let you know whether the antique curio cabimet will fit into the place where you want it placed.

Antique cabinets – What to should keep in mind

Keep in mind that these antique curio cabinets will not come in a cheap price. Also, these antique curio cabinets comes with glass encasing that acts as the door of the cabinet. There are also different styles available for you to choose from. Antique curio cabinets would be perfect to be places anywhere in you r home. These will definitely be a great storage for your valuables that you want displayed and at the same time, giving the area an elegant an nostalgic feel.

Simple rules to keep in mind before you sell antiques online

If you have a couple of antiques that you wish to dispose of and make some good money out of it, you can try to sell antiques online. Our modern technology gave way to the convenience of the internet which helps a lot of people in so many ways and this includes buying and selling of different items. In fact, a lot of people are now getting into the buying and selling online because they find that it saves them more time and they get to find hard to find items that costs less than the ones found in physical stores.

Sell antiques online – Do your research

There are a few things that you should know before you sell antiques online. Whether you’re a professional antique seller or not, you have to keep in mind that the majority of people who will look through what you’re selling are professional antique collectors. This means that they know a lot about antiques and they have a lot of questions for you. So, if you’re not an antique collector, it is always best that you research on what you’re selling before you put it out there. This way, you will be able to gain the trust of potential buyers. Also, when you are describing the antiques that you’re selling, be honest. Don’t dazzle then with words because antique collectors can easily pick up TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE things.

To sell antiques online, be patient.

The next thing you should keep in mind is to know how to deal with professional buyers. Oftentimes, professional buyers buy online because they want the cheapest price. If you’re willing to give in to what they offer, then it’s your choice but if you want to get the highest possible price for the antique, you may need to bypass some of these professional buyers.

To sell antiques online, you must have the patience. You should keep in mind that antiques are not really an essential part in anybody’s lives except for real antique collectors or lovers. Be realistic and know that what you’re selling isn’t a necessity but a luxury and you will have to stretch your patience a little bit more because you can’t expect people to swarm in the antique you’re selling once you post it online. It takes time.

Simple rules that you can apply when you are planning to sell antiques online. These rules will keep you knowledgeable and at the same time, grounded which is very important in the antique industry. Whether you’re selling it for the money or you simply just want to dispose of it to make room, apply these rules and you will have the best time selling them.

Finding secondhand furniture

If you are planning to decorate your home but you’re on a tight budget then there are secondhand furniture that you can decorate your home with. Furniture for your home doesn’t need to cost a thousand or even a million bucks. The quality and the apperance of the furniture are the two things that matter the most.

Secondhand furniture in secondhand stores

Consider yourself lucky if you have some relatives with some furniture to give but not everything works this way, you don’t get to have everything handed on a silver platter. Sometimes, you must start from scratch. If you are that person, it is very possible that you have browsed through furniture stores and have found that most of the basic furniture that you need can cost you a lot of money. Surely, you don’t want to spend so much money on basic furniture. Visiting a secondhand store is the best place for you to go to.

When you are in a secondhand store and looking for secondhand furniture, always be flexible about the type and style of furniture that you want. Keep in mind that you have limited options here. If you stay flexible, you will find that you will be able to score some great deals on slightly-used items. This way, you will be able to furnish your home for hundreds of dollars only. This strategy can also be applied if you’re looking for office furniture.

Other ways to acquire secondhand furniture

You can also seek hobbyists who refinish old furniture and restore antiques. You can ask them if they can restore an old furniture for you or just simply buy something they made. They only offer low prices and you have a bigger chance of finding a beautiful and valuable piece of furniture.

When looking for secondhand furniture, don’t think that you only have limited places to look for. There are plenty of places to look for it! The World Wide Web is another place for you to search for secondhand furniture as there is a growing number of online furniture sellers. Always keep your eyes open and always remember to be flexible. This is the key in finding the best secondhand furniture in the store.

The beauty of refurbished furniture

Refurbished furniture can offer value in more ways. Take a look around your home, there might be something that you can do on some of your furniture instead of buying a new one. An old furniture can still look great if you know how to spruce it up and be worthy of attention. You can either refurbish your own furniture or you can buy refurbished furniture. Refurbished ones cost less than brand new furniture and you can find such in garage sales or secondhand stores.

Putting on your creative cap – Refurbished furniture

Refurbishing your own furniture means a lot of fun. If you’re feeling creative and handy, then why don’t you search your home for something that you can refurbish. What about your grandmother’s hand-me-downs? Instead of letting those furniture pieces gather dust and stuck in your attic or basement, then it’s probably time that you get your hands dirty and put on your creative cap! You must keep in mind that refurbishing wood furniture is easier than reupholstering your sofa but you can still do both!

So now, you want to create your own refurbished furniture and for wood, you will need several grades of sandpaper, paint or stain and a hand sander. These items can help you fully upgrade an old table or bring life to a chair. When it comes to reupholstering, you’re going to need fabric, foam and batting, stapler and some buttons. What are the easiest to cushion? Chair seats and head boards! You might want to start with those and be pleased with the appearance and the function it will bring.

Refurbished furniture – considerations

Refurbishing furniture is one of the most cost-effective ways in decorating your home or making it look good again. Financially, there is no need for you to spend a lot of cash the way you will spend if you buy a new one. If you think that piece of furniture can still be refurbished, then go ahead and refurbish it on your own. You will definitely feel proud and you will feel more the value of the furniture because you made it by yourself. Also, you will be surprised of how refurbishing can bring new life to that old furniture.

There are some considerations as well that you must keep in mind when refurbishing furniture instead of purchasing new furniture. The most obvious is the cost because re-working on that piece of furniture is less expensive and more fun. It also takes a little time and will only require a small amount of skill and will drastically freshen up a space. Consider refurbishing furniture a great bonding time or maybe a great YOU time.

Reclaimed wood dining table

A reclaimed wood dining table is commonly used in restaurants. Restaurant owners favor long-lasting tables because for them, it is a great investment. Aside from this, reclaimed dining tables are environmental friendly because they are made from earth-friendly materials. What are these materials?

Common materials used for reclaimed wood dining table

FSC wood is one option for reclaimed wood dining table. An FSC is a certifiably sustainable wood and is an alternative quality recycled wood whose certification shows that forest manages minimize the impact on the land and forest-dependent communited by using responsible harvesting practices. Another material is the quality reclaimed wood. This comes from a variety of sources such as shipyards, old barns, deconstructed homes or sunken logs. There are some species of quality reclaimed wood may be available in a reclaimed form.

Lastly, bamboo. One common material used for a reclaimed wood dining table. In fact, this material is becoming more and more popular as an alternative to classic wood.

Reclaimed wood dining table – for home and business

A reclaimed wood dining table is really great for a restaurant. If you want durability and at the same time, something that looks good and you get to contribute to the environment, this is the best choice for you. You can furnish also your restaurant with bamboo tabletops or FSC certified wood and at the same time, affecting the environment and atmosphere both in and outside your establishment. Make the right investments, this is one secret to success of most restaurant owners.

Reclaimed wood dining tables are not only for restaurants but these can only be placed in your own homes. You can decorate your home with coffee tables and other kind of tables. At the same time, it screams GO GREEN which is one of the most promoted campaign today all over the world. With the many changes happening in our world, it is time that everyone contributes in saving our environment in our own little ways.

RAU antiques

If you’re an antique lover or a collector, then you might have heard of Rau antiques. Max Rau is the person behind Rau antiques and who opened the doors to a small antique shop in 1912. He made a commitment to provide only the finest quality and service at a very reasonable price. This philosophy helped the store grow one hundred fold since then and the philosophy is still being carried today. Max’s sons, Jon and Elias continued their tradition and then later on passed the business onto the third generation, Jack and Bill Rau.

Rau antiques today

Today, Rau antiques is run by Bill Rau because Jack retired in December 2005. The philosophy is still there and even stronger than before. Their business is a member in good standing associations. They currently have a 30,000 square-foot showroom which overflows with wonderful collections of fine art, jewelry and exceptional 18th and 19th century antiques.

Another great thing about Rau antiques is their 125% guarantee which means that any antique you buy from them can be returned in the same condition as when the antique was purchased for full credit on any other item in their gallery, catalog or website at the marked retail price that inluced the 5% interest annualy for up to five years following the sale. You can buy your antiques in their store in complete confidence because you can guarantee that they back each piece they sell.

Rau antiques – online

Rau antiques is very popular. In fact, a few known personalities have purchased something from their store and some of them even provided a testimonial which can be viewed on their website. Speaking of their website, if you’re looking for any piece of antique but you don’t have the time to visit their store personally, their website is the best place for you to shop and browse for antiques. You will surely find a wide selection there and enjoy the convenience it provides.

Rau antiques have been around for a long time and it is really guaranteed that they are very reputable and has one of the best antiques being sold today.

Old furniture for sale

Old furniture for sale are not hard to find anymore. The growing number of antique enthusiasts and antique collectors urged many businessmen to extend their businesses to the home industry that involves furniture. In fact, investing on antiques is such a great idea and this is also the reason why a lot of people are going crazy over these antiques. Today, long-term plans are the best and that includes investing on objects or furniture that increases in value as time pass by.

Old furniture for sale – worthy or not?

This development resulted to a wider selection of antique furniture for sale which made a lot of consumers very happy. Now, there is a bigger chance for antique collectors to find rare furniture. However, this can cost them a lot of money but being their passion or hobby, the money they pay for is worth it.

You can find old furniture sale in many antique stores in located in your local area. There are also big warehouses that you can go to. Aside from this, with our modern technology today, a lot of people enjoys the convenience of being able to shop online for different items and this includes furniture. In fact, there is a bigger chance for them to find what they’re looking for online. However, one must always be cautious when shopping for old furniture online.

One must always know how to differentiate old furniture from an antique. Usually, the literal meaning of old simply means that it’s been used while furniture that are classified antiques illustrates an object that lasted for a century or more. You should be careful when buying an old furniture. Determine first if you’re looking for an “old” one or an antique. Always be careful when buying antiques and if it’s your first time, it’ll be much better if you buy in antique stores so you get to see the items being sold personally.

Antique couches – Blast from the past

The beauty of antique couches

Antique couches will definitely evoke a nostalgic feel in a specific area in your home. It doesn’t matter how you acquired it, whether the antique couches were passed on to you or you love collecting antiques. Antique collectors invest on antique couches not because of its value and beauty but because of the pride and joy that it brings. If you are not too fond of antique couches yet you have one in your home, you will definitely appreciate its beauty.

Value your antique couches

Nothing beats having a set of furniture or a couple of antique couches displayed in your home. You will be able to appreciate its beauty, its timeless beauty. Keep in mind that these antique couches have been around for a century or more. Valuing your antique couches is very important and a genuine appraisal would help a lot especially if you don’t know your way around antiques. The feet, arms and back frames of the antique couches lies the authenticity of the antique and how rare it is. An antique couch that is worn out does not necessarily mean that it’s an antique and it might have been reproduced which depreciates its value.

Best places to find antique couches

For antique collectors who are looking for antique couches, the best place for you to visit is the antique store or you can participate in auctions. However, a wider selection lies in the World Wide Web. In the World Wide Web, you will definitely be able to browse through a lot of antique couches being sold online. There are a lot of antique vendors online and it is very important that you see pictures showing every small detail of the couch before you decide on purchasing it. If you can meet up with the seller, then that would be great. That is why it is an advantage that when you are looking for sellers of antique couches online, filter your search by adding your location. This way, meet-ups would be very possible.

Antique couches are not difficult to find as there are a lot out there. The difficult task is to determine its authenticity which won’t be too hard if you follow the simple tips above or you could always hire an appraiser but keep in mind that appraisal of antique furniture may be pricey.

Queen Anne chair

There is such magnificent beauty in a Queen Anne chair. If you are a fan of historical furniture pieces, then you would definitely love Queen Anne chairs. Why it is called Queen Anne chairs? It is because it is inspired by the Queen Anne style which is characterized by cabriole legs and curvilinear lines. An improvement of the William and Mary style which was used in the 17th century in most royal households. There are different types of Queen Anne chairs.

Types of a Queen Anne chair

One type of Queen Anne chair are dining chairs. In fact, this is the most popular type the evokes the style of Queen Anne. These chairs have intricate lines designed on the chair’s back support. There are also recliners that come in the style of Queen Anne. Such recliners have cabriole legs that are padded for easy movement and without scratching the chair’s material on the floor. There is also a wide assortment of fabrics and materials used for such chairs from leather to canvass, you can choose the fabric of your choice.

There is also a Queen Anne chair that comes in the form on lounge chairs. A popular option among a lot of homeowners. The slipper chairs in the Queen Anne style can serve as accent pieces in the living room but also used in offices for seating. Lastly, there are the console chairs if you feel like royalty while watching TV. These are very comfortable and pleasing to the eyes.

The Queen Anne chair has managed to survive despite the many new innovations in furniture designs. In fact, there are still a lot of furniture makers that specialize in this particular style. It is also made of different materials and are often elaborately crafted to stay true to its original style.

Finding quality furniture

Everybody wants quality furniture, who doesn’t? However, finding quality furniture has become tricky these days. The reason behind this is because of the growing competition between furniture manufacturers. Aside from this, manufacturers also know that consumers want the cheapest and most affordable price and because of this, there are some manufacturers who make furniture that are very consumer friendly but not the best in quality.

How to find quality furniture?

In order to find quality furniture, it is always best to check reputable brands. Yes, it is understood that you’re on a budget and you’re looking for a very affordable piece of furniture. However, keep in mind that the cheapest price doesn’t mean quality. You will be pleased to know that most reputable furniture brands offer affordable furniture and the best thing about this is that you know that you are getting quality furniture.

Another thing that you can do to find quality furniture is to check the material and the make of the furniture. This can easily be done as you can really assess the whole furniture once you see it. Materials are easily distinguishable as well. You have to check these things because most furniture that are cheap are not made of quality materials and can be broken in a short period of time. Remember, furniture doesn’t come with warranties.

Quality furniture – worth it!

Always value the worth of your money, no matter how much it is, and finding quality furniture is one way to value your money’s worth. It’s not always about the price, always consider the quality before anything else. Everything will be useless and pointless if you consider the price instead of the quality because you will only end up buying another one which means that you have to spend more than you spend on that low quality furniture you bought.