Antiques and Collectibles

By Kathy Flaxman

Neustadt, nestled in Grey County, Ontario, boasts its own spring-fed brewery, a farmer's market, a yearly craft fair, and according to Harrowsmith Country Life magazine - the bible of Canadian rural living - it is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. Also here is the Neustadt Mill Antique Market, a converted grain mill that now houses an elite group of vendors that deal in antiques and collectibles. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon seeking the ideal piece of furniture or object d'art to enhance your hearth and home.

Scores of antique and collectible havens, just like Neustadt, are scattered across Ontario.

To determine whether or not something is an antique, its date and place of origin are considered. A collectible is an item that might be special, but not necessarily new. Either could be treasures or junk depending on one's taste and whim.

When the urge to decorate strikes, carefully crafted armoires, tables, and dressers alongside paintings, ceramics, and wrought iron furniture beckon from the nooks and crannies of St. Jacobs and Shakespeare to Caledon and Picton and further afield. Shoppers often start out antique hunting because they're drawn to the potential for bargains, but end up falling in love with the antique hunting process itself.

"Ontario has a wealth of hidden treasures of antiques and collectibles," says Karen Clark, who lives just north of Toronto and has been acquiring all sorts of old and loved pieces for decades. "I love to hunt for old things and find out their history. I'm from out west and there's nothing like this out there. One of my favourite pieces is a grandfather clock that's sort of rustic."

Furniture crafted in an earlier time is likely to have been built with loving care, featuring such details as dove-tailed drawers and hand carvings. Materials are solid and sturdy and include oak, cherry, birch, and mahogany joined with steel and copper hinges and even handmade nails. Besides their obvious quality, these pieces offer excellent storage options, which is always important in our sometimes-cluttered homes. An armoire can hold linens, knick-knacks, and dishes or become home to a TV set or sound equipment. Stacks of clothing that appear mismatched are out of sight inside an antique wardrobe, and the wardrobe itself gives warmth and substance to a room.

"People like to have a collection of furniture that will warm and soften an otherwise modern home," Clark notes. "These old pieces all have stories behind them, which gives them a deeper dimension than mere function. Their beauty is time-tested, as is their usefulness."

The evidence is somewhat anecdotal, but antiques and collectibles as home décor can offer financial benefits as well. Dave Loder, owner of Neustadt Mill Antique Market, began his career as a purchaser, accompanying his wife to lawn sales.When his home began to overflow with collectibles, he opened a shop in a converted Mennonite church. His stories are inspirational: "I bought a painting for $10 and sold it for $6,500," he notes. "A Chinese Foo Dog [a large piece that typically sits on the top corners of a house and is considered a good omen] that I picked up as part of an estate sale was grabbed by a tourist for $25,000. I just like anything that looks old, but sometimes it pays off."

Decorating a home with antiques and collectibles is simple, especially since the eclectic look is so popular today. Cupboards, sideboards, dressers, and tables all offerexceptional value. Armoires are snapped up quickly. Paintings found at antique markets can be originals and may even be valuable, although art is meant to be enjoyed in and of itself. According to Clark, wrought iron items are hot right now, and she gives a tip to the would-be decorator: "Urns and wrought iron benches are popular just now. Use your imagination," she says. "A piece of wrought iron, for example, might make a wonderful end table if you put a piece of glass on it as a top. We have an old sleigh that once had runners and we use it as a coffee table. Whatever you buy, you know your décor will be unique. There will be nothing like it anywhere."

Fall in Ontario Fantastic!

Antiques, Collectibles, and Great Food too!

Tips and Tidbits:

Want to shop for antiques and collectibles? Picton and the Niagara region are both recommended. Caledon is also an excellent place to visit, as is St. Jacobs, where new furniture by Mennonite crafters offers excellence and value alongside every type of collectible imaginable.

Estate sales, farm sales, and auctions are advertised in local papers and on websites such as www.thenextmove.ca. Karen Clark reads the Woodbridge Advertiser every week for sources.

Hungry? Fall sales, craft shows, and auctions often feature wonderful Ontario home cooking and baked goods. Find decorations for your home while feasting on chili, soup, homemade bread and scones, back bacon, fudge, pie, and ice cream!

Keep an open mind?Karen Clark is now collecting hat pins and looking for a hat pin holder. Consider other great little accessories for your boudoir. A Chinese brush painting could be perfect in a bedroom for a minimal cost.

Don't refinish your purchase. If you are ever thinking of reselling a piece, an item in its original pristine state will be more valuable.

Change your mind? You can resell your purchase at an auction. Auctioneers are happy to take your goods on consignment. The above antique lovers noted that they have never made a bad purchase anywhere.