For almost my whole life, I’ve been interested in decorating with antiques. I love the story and history behind the pieces and often think about the lives they’ve previously lived.
When it comes to antique shopping I’ve had a few favorites and I want you to know that picking antiques is fun but I always let them speak to me.
Yes, there are popular pieces to find and pick but it was never about that for me. When I browse antique shops, I look at everything and find what speaks to me. It’s easy for me find antique shops because there are so many in the tri-state area. When I go on road trip vacations, I always find a shop to visit to see what they have in their area!
Anyway, it’s easy for me to choose antiques to purchase because I can quickly make a decision for the following reasons: it’s a yes I have to have it or no it’s a hard pass and if the price is right it’s a yes but if it’s more than what I would pay than it’s a hard no.
Being able to make quick decisions helps me because I can get through more shops before everyone with me starts moaning and groaning (haha). It only last so long so I can cover more ground letting antiques speak to me.
Yes, I do have goodies I look for but 95% of the time I let everything find me.
Here are some items I’ve been collecting for a long time:
-Mason Jars—blue & clear—big & small
-Books! Omg I’ve been collecting books for a long time. I’ll explain more.
-Maps/brochures
Here’s some items I’ve recently learned to love and look for:
-Vintage Christmas—I used to think everything was tacky and a little creepy looking but I’ve got totally different feelings now and absolutely love them.
-Tins- geeze I never could have thought I’d go for these but yes I love the old metal. Tins of all kinds; even coffee tins are so cute!
Personally I love anything tea party related so I found this teapot and the teacups with saucers for the shop!
While you're antique shopping and something speaks to your soul...get it! I've learned that lesson and that cute little peas tin above was left behind...and I miss it--totally wish I got it!
The other thing about antique shopping for me is finding the deal. This is the area in my decorating where I really do what a deal. I don't go antiquing to find anything valuable or expensive. I don't spend a lot of money on this fun hobby. I look for little things in my decorating to add to so like I said, I'm not hunting for valuables but rather looking for things that resinate with who I am and my history!
When I happen to find a book I read in college and Alex and I have great memories of it...we pick it up! It's little reminders of our past and it's so special to find things that we can connect to our life from someone else life. I mean. How cool is that? I think the connection is a big reason why certain things get to come home with me, but some times you find something that has no connection to you...like my peas tin I missed out on. I just really liked it and would have loved it in my decorating, but don't have any fond memories of peas...see what I'm saying? haha. It's a balance of connection to things you like.
I hope this post helps you find things in your area or in my shop that you love or could use in your home. I also hope sharing how I antique shop and why I love it helps you understand that this is a fun hobby and easy way to add a story to your home.
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