Reply With Quoteif youve got alot of time and the inclination id start by going to local auctions. there is a guy on here who is a furniture dealer based on the south coast, ill try and remember his username - hes probably got a few good pointers.
We are currently looking to buy a new dining table, desk and bookcase to go in a recently decorated room. We aren't keen on the current fashion of light oak, or oak stained dark and fancy something a little different, which will probably mean second hand.
This has caught our eye on ebay, but then there are plenty of alternatives that have too.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Large-Art-Deco...item414de1b95a
My question is, how do we go about finding some furniture that is suitable, and by suitable I mean good quality and decent value. Is it just a case of looking on ebay and hopefully finding something local that we can view? Or is there the equivalent of vebra or abebooks for antique dealers? Or more locally, does anyone know of anywhere in the Hertfordshire, N London, Cambridge are that we can visit?
Any other pointers would be welcome, we haven't bought antique or vintage items before (other than the odd watch and the odd piece of bakelite) and don't really want to get caught out or miss the perfect opportunity.
"I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul's good to do each day two things they disliked ... it is a precept that I have followed scrupulously; for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed."
if youve got alot of time and the inclination id start by going to local auctions. there is a guy on here who is a furniture dealer based on the south coast, ill try and remember his username - hes probably got a few good pointers.
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
Search on 'Nathan' furniture on ebay. Nathan are / were a top quality furniture maker popular in the 70's / earl 80's who fell out of fashion somewhat but who made excellent solid teak furniture. I've purchased various bits and all have been exceptional. I paid £26 for a 10 foot long bookcase and shelving unit that covered an entire wall in my previous house.
Here's a nice wall unit as an example http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nathan-teak-wa...item4aa7eeb716
My Dad restores and sells antique furniture (and has done for the last 30 years or so) and comes back with all sorts of lovely furniture that he picks up for peanuts. Really nice, solid wood furniture from the 30s and 40s is cheaper than the tat you buy from Ikea!
He currently trades out of this place (quite a way north of Cambridge though);
http://www.hemswell-antiques.com/ant...ine-furniture/
I'm sure there are plenty of other places around the country that are just like it. Unlike modern crap it's unlikely to lose you loads of money as well so if your taste changes it shouldn't cost you a fortune to sell on and replace.
To give you an idea of some of the things that he sells this is from his ebay site (which he doesn't really use);
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Superb-1950s-O...item43a4a8392a
He actually specialises in Victorian desks, but doesn't have any listed on his ebay site.
If you want some really nice, craftsman furniture my favourite is;
http://www.robertthompsons.co.uk/
We have quite a bit of that and it's lovely stuff, plus each one has a little mouse carved on it - that's a bit different!
There is a great auction house and showroom on Essex Rd in Angel/Islington (near Angel tube).
http://www.criterionauctioneers.com/
Their stock changes weekly and although I am not in the market I always drag the missus in for a wander around.
if I was not in rented at the moment could be tempted by that table looks very nice
We bought a new dining table and chairs made by G T Rackstraw of High Wycombe about 30 years ago. It wasn't cheap but it was Regency style and top quality.
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
That's what we are hoping for, something good quality that will last. If the old adage, "you get what you pay for" is true, then it should be better to buy a 60 year old table for £2k than a brand new table for £500.Originally Posted by swanbourne
Thanks for all the replies. Hemswell is unfortunately a little too far for a day trip, but Criterion is much more accessible so I will be checking out their stock.
"I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul's good to do each day two things they disliked ... it is a precept that I have followed scrupulously; for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed."
I sell Modern Design (American/Danish/British 1950s-1970s) - If you buy the 'right' stuff then it is nearly always a good investment. A couple of pointers - be very wary of buying on eBay, and if you do make sure you ask the seller questions in relation to condition. There is a high percentage of seller on eBay who aren't very honest and it is easy to get stung. Auctions can be a good place to look but my experience at the moment suggests there is a lot of money in the auction rooms and nearly everything of decent quality is making retail money. If you need any advice send me a PM, be happy to offer advice :)
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