Buying Antiques - Six Things You Must Know

When it comes to antiques, a lot of people mistake them as
a status symbol and try to purchase as many as they can as
showpieces for their home.  However, the truth is that
antiques should be seen more as art pieces in the home that
accent taste and class rather than wealth.  If you enjoy
antiques and like to decorate with them, there are some dos
and don'ts that you should keep in mind.

DO buy something that you really like and enjoy looking at.
 If you find an item of great beauty and can afford it (of
course, not all antiques have to be expensive, either), you
should get it and add it to your home.  Much like art,
antiques are an acquired taste and a personal decision,
meaning that what one individual likes may not be what you
find attractive.  However, just like choosing your favorite
color to paint the walls in your room, it is important that
you like the items that are decorating your home.

DON'T buy something because it's valuable.  Antiques can
hold a lot of value, but if you don't ever plan to resell
it or to pass it on as an heirloom, it is not important to
"invest" in that particular antique.  Especially if you
are not partial to how it looks, being either indifferent
to the design or actually not liking it at all, you'll find
that owning that item only makes you angry at the money you
spend every time you look at it.  That is not a pleasant
way to live and will not create a welcoming environment for
you in your home.

DO purchase matching items and use them to accent a room.
For example, if you find a particular set of chairs that
you like and the style matches a framed mirror in your
foyer, buy the set and place them on either side of your
front door to help bring the room together.

DON'T decorate an entire room with antiques.  The vision
becomes overwhelming, and the value and beauty of the
individual pieces are lost among a jumble of items that are
visually intimidating.  If you really want to collect
antiques, set up your own show room in one room of the
house rather than decorating with them.

DO buy faux antiques, if it is the style that you prefer.
Remember, there is no need to spend outrageous amounts of
money on a table that was used once by King George when he
was writing a letter when you can buy a replica for
one-tenth the price.  Many people are not experts in
antiques anyway and could never tell the difference on
sight.

DON'T brag.  Trust that anyone who is going to be impressed
by the antiques you have acquired will either be silently
impressed or will ask questions about the items they like
and voice their opinions.  Others who are not impressed
really don't need to hear the history behind the unit and
are quite likely to become annoyed with a braggart.


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Ben Weissman writes articles about Affordable Modern Beds,
Discount Bedroom Sets and Interior Design. You'll find more
Decorating Ideas at http://www.home-and-bedroom.com . Make
your bedroom into a personal retreat!