How Antiques are Valued

Often buyers and sellers of antiques are not sure if what they are buying or selling is priced correctly. Here is a quick guideline to make sure that the item you are buying or selling is priced correctly.

1. A good place to start is deciding whether the antique piece is a common or rare antique. The rare vintage pieces will sell for a much higher price than common goods. 
2. The condition of a piece weighs heavy on the value of an object and can decrease the value substantially if it is not in a good condition. 
3. If the piece was not good condition but has been salvaged and restored well, it may cost a lot. If it is in bad condition, go to an expert for assistance and they will give you advice on repairs and value. 
4. Believe it or not, even antiques are under the pressure of global markets. Demand has a huge impact on these goods. Keep a look out for demands and trends worldwide and try find the best time to market your antique so you can get the best price. 
5. Look for a manufacturer's or designer's mark. This is usually a signature or initials or even a symbol that the makers put on the item to ensure that it can be categorized as authentic. This gives the piece a much higher value than a piece not marked as it may be a copy. Another way to establish whether the antique is authentic or not is to use black light testing. This uses UV-A lighting in a dark room on an object which will light up in different colours depending on which materials were used to make the item. For example, modern paint will light up under fluorescent light and it is much easier to see touch ups and repairs. This is the same for textiles, glass and porcelain. You can bring your antique goods to us at Strand Trading Post and we will assist you in dating and valuing your vintage goods. 

Why Buy Vintage?

There are many different reasons why vintage is better than new contemporary furniture and décor. Many people argue that vintage is over-priced junk and have no idea why someone would spend more on vintage than something brand new. But it is very simple.  Once you have owned something vintage whether a desk, or cupboard, or clothing you will understand that vintage objects have a character about them that begs to tell a story. Vintage can be from 20 to over 100 years old. The items have lived through a time that many of us will not understand.

Many people buy vintage because of the originality of the piece. Vintage furniture was constructed in another era making it entirely different from the styles you will find today. When these pieces were made, the creator spent time focusing on the fine detail on the artefact that someone might over-look today due to lack of time. Wooden artefacts will often have engravings done by hand that you will rarely find today.

Vintage pieces were made in a time that was different to today's world. It was a lot less focused on mass consumption but more on detail and the beauty that can be created in a piece of furniture or décor. Vintage pieces can give you this feeling again when you appreciate the detail and time that went into the piece.

Vintage pieces that you come across often are totally unique and they cannot be found in other shops. Often quirky off-the-wall pieces are tucked away in antique shops where they are waiting to be discovered  The line "One man's junk is another man's treasure" describes perfectly how some people feel about vintage. These pieces are just waiting to be turned into something spectacular and be shown off in your house.

Come and have a look at what we have in stock at Strand Trading Post .  We are certain that you will find something that suits your individuality, style and personality.

How to look after your vintage clothing

Vintage clothing is almost priceless and demands the utmost respect and treatment. Here are a few tips to help keep the value of your vintage garment high.

Image courtesy of Polyvore

• If you aren't 100% sure how to clean it, take it to a respected dry cleaner. Usually the oldest one in the town will be able to help and give you advice if they are not able to do it themselves. 
• Do not store your clothing in a plastic bag or in heat. An uninsulated attic is the worst place to store vintage clothing. This will destroy any fur and plastic that may be on the clothes. 
• Keep insects away with Cedar rather than mothballs. No-one likes the smell of mothballs. 
• Carefully folded clothes are better than hung up clothes. Clothes that are hung up usually stretch out of shape and are ruined.
• Hats should be stuffed with acid free paper. This will maintain the shape and keep the fabric looking its best. 
• Fur coats should be kept in a cool, dry area. Fur is very sensitive and can be ruined easily

What is vintage?

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The word "Vintage" is bandied about regularly and has a certain "hip" quality to it.  These days, everyone loves "vintage" so we set out to find out what exactly the word means.

If you look the word up in the Oxford Dictionary, it says: "Adjective: Denoting something from the past of high quality, especially something representing the best of its kind."

If you Google the meaning, there are all sorts of opinions varying from "anything older than 20 years" to  "previously-owned items, that with age, look better and maintain style".

It seems that wherever you choose to look up the word, there is one common thread; Good Quality. 

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For excellent quality vintage furniture and bric-a-brac, visit Strand Trading Post or see our Pinterest Boards.

DIY Garden ideas

We are always on the look out for inexpensive and creative ways to make our surroundings pretty and homely.  There is nothing better than coming home to a space that makes you feel nurtured and peaceful.  

With the gorgeous weather we are so used to in South Africa, we have turned our attention to the garden this week.  We have found some really simple ideas that are extremely effective.

Use any old containers for potting herbs and plants and then stack them up for height variation.

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Create a space in your garden for reading.  We all need time for ourselves and often being inside the house comes with ringing phones, spinning washing machines and downloading emails.  Find a spot as far from the house as possible and make it your "quiet corner".

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Use splashes of bright colour to jazz up a dull or all green area.  Take anything that you don't use anymore and spray paint it in your favourite bright colour and display it in the garden.

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There is so much you can do with the dis-guarded items lying around in your house, garden and garage.  Look around and see what great DIY ideas you can come up with.