Wrought Iron vs. Cast Iron (Furniture)

When visiting various antique shops, including ours : ) the terms wrought iron and cast iron are frequently used to describe the beautiful outdoor furniture that is available for sale. You will typically see a lot of this furniture displayed just outside of the antique shop throughout the entire year.  Not only is this type of outdoor furniture in high demand but it can also handle the weather elements of all seasons.  I did a little research on the difference between wrought iron and cast iron and thought I would share the following article with you: http://poolandpatio.about.com/od/howtofindacontractor/a/What-Is-Wrought-Iron.htm

How to Maintain Wood Furniture

Do you have wood furniture pieces and wonder what's the best way to treat the wood so it does not get damaged?  As I was researching Henredon furniture pieces I came across some excellent tips at https://www.henredon.com/Support/Wood-Care.aspx that you might find helpful. The link on the Henredon website states:
 

"Each piece of furniture responds differently to changes in temperature and humidity in your home. Expansion at the joints and seams will return to its original shape and size as seasons change. Protective coverings such as felt backed place mats and table pads will help protect the finish on your furniture. This is especially important for wood furniture that is used in kitchen areas. Because each piece of wood is unique, you can expect variations in grain appearance and stain coloration. Many wood pieces include levelers and door hinges that must be periodically adjusted to ensure smooth operation of doors and drawers. TV and other electronic equipment should be measured to ensure proper fit.

Treat drawer glides with petroleum jelly or candle wax for smooth operation.

Table leaves should always be stored flat. Opening & closing of dining tables requires two people, when inserting or removing table leaves. This will avoid damaging.

Keep furniture out of sunlight to avoid sun damage and bleaching.

Keep furniture away from heating/air conditioning sources as they affect the moisture content of the wood.

Do not set synthetics or rubber products on the wood finish as the chemicals may damage the finish.

Do not leave newspapers and magazines on wood because the inks can bleed onto the finish and into the wood.

Periodically adjust levelers and door hinges to ensure smooth operation of doors and drawers."

I hope you find this information helpful! Check out the picture below of the marble top Henredon dresser we have in the shop!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014!  Wishing you all the best this year!  It's going to be a good one!

Considering a home redecorating project this year?  Keep us in mind!  Come on by the shop and take a look around. I'm sure you will find something to go along with your project!

If you would like to learn more about the different styles of antique furniture, check out this site:

http://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/a_primer_on_furniture_styles

Mission Style Furniture

I recently came across a mission parlor set that needed some TLC.  The original leather upholstery was not in good condition but the wood frame and seat springs were in great condition, especially considering the age of the set.  We decided to have it re-upholstered and it turned out great!  I forgot to take pictures of the parlor set before it was re-upholstered but take a look below for a few pictures of how the set looks now!

The design philosophy of Mission furniture:

"Mission style is a design that emphasizes simple horizontal and vertical lines and flat panels that accentuate the grain of the wood (usually oak). People were looking for relief after the excesses of Victorian times and the influx of mass-produced furniture from the Industrial Revolution. The furniture maker Gustav Stickley produced Arts and Crafts furniture often referred to as being in the Mission Style, though Stickley dismissed the term as misleading. This was plain oak furniture that was upright, solid, and suggestive of entirely handcrafted work, though in the case of Stickley and his competitors, was constructed within a factory by both machine and handworking techniques".

If you would like to learn more about Mission Style furniture click on the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Style_Furniture

A Little History of Sheraton Style Funriture

Sheraton style furniture is a beautiful style!  Our friends as Wikipedia provide the following explanation:

"Late 18th century neoclassical English furniture style, in vogue ca 1785 - 1820, that was coined by 19th century collectors and dealers to credit furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, born in Stockton-on-Tees, England in 1751. 

The Sheraton style was inspired by the Louis XVI style and features round tapered legs, fluting and most notably contrasting veneer inlays. Sheraton style furniture takes lightweight rectilinear forms, using satinwood, mahogany and tulipwood, sycamore and rosewood for inlaid decorations, though painted finishes and brass fittings are also to be found. Swags, husks, flutings, festoons, and rams' heads are amongst the common motifs applied to pieces of this style.

The Sheraton style was the most reproduced style in the United States during the Federal period."

Take a look at a few pictures of Sheraton style furniture pieces and let me know what you think!

Spring is Almost Here

Tonight, don't forget to change your clocks ahead one hour!  Although it may seem as though we are losing an hour of sleep, we are that much closer to Spring! It's a great time of the year to start thinking about projects for the yard.  We are gathering our outdoor furniture for the shop and will be displaying more of it soon. It goes fast so if you see it, like it, buy it!

We have also been adding a lot of new indoor merchandise to the shop.  A visit is highly recommended!  I included a few pictures of some of the new arrivals.

Shopping around for anything in particular?  Feel free to let me know!

History of the Etagere

Ever heard of an Etagere?  It's basically a beautiful shelf, especially corner etagere's! Here is a great definition by About.com:

http://antiques.about.com/od/chesthutchstyles/a/etagere072910.htm

I also included a picture of an etagere that we have in the shop.  Another one of those pieces that I just want to keep! It does not take up much room at all but adds great beauty with your curios displayed.

How to Identify Hepplewhite Style Furniture

Ever walk into an antique shop and wonder what the different styles of furniture represent?  There are so many beautiful styles of furniture.  Part of the fun when antiquing is identifying the styles.  Hepplewhite furniture is just one of the many unique and beautiful styles of furniture available.

About.com gives the following description and history of Hepplewhite furniture:  http://antiques.about.com/od/furniture/a/Hepplewhite120109.htm

Who is this artist/painter?

Last weekend I enjoyed 4 days at the beach along with quite a bit of antiquing for inventory purposes.  While shopping around,  I came across this beautiful oil on canvas painting.  I actually won this at a bazaar through a silent auction.  I have been researching the artist's name "G.Broliers" (see second picture).  So far, I am unable to locate the artist but I will keep on researching just in case this is one of those pieces that belong on the Antique Roadshow!

What interesting pieces have you found while antiquing?

 

Check out the cool landmark I used to locate one of the shops! 

 

What is Chippendale Style Furniture?

Ever wonder what Chippendale style furniture looks like?  The style is absolutely beautiful!  The following link http://antiques.about.com/od/furniture/p/aa071908.htm from our friends at About.com provide a nice description.  When I am out and about buying inventory and I come across Chippendale pieces, I must admit, I just want to keep it!  What's your preferred style?

Great Bed and Breakfast Homes

It's almost fall and such a beautiful time of the year, especially for travel! I came across this website http://www.antiqueproperties.com/listings/ that provides listings of antique/vintage homes and the first thing that came to mind was how great some of these homes would be for a bed and breakfast!  If you have not visited one yet I highly recommend it as the concept creates a very comfortable and pleasant "home" experience while traveling. 

Our friends at Wikipedia define it as: A bed and breakfast (or B&B) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with fewer than 10 bedrooms available for commercial use.

Hope you enjoy the website!  Be sure to visit a B&B soon!  

Restoring Wooden Furniture Finish

Ever wonder how to clean or restore furniture finish?  I came across this article and thought I would share it with you.  There are some great tips that I use myself before I display furniture pieces in the shop.  Click on the link and take a look!  Good luck!

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/how-to-restore-wooden-furniture-finish.htm

Welcome to my revised blog!  It's so much more reader friendly and just an overall positive feel to it.  Thanks so much, Michelle, for your help, the blog looks so much better!

I thought I would share a link (http://www.classicboat.com) to some cool classic boats that just so happen to be for sale.  Take a few minutes and peruse through the pictures, these boats are quite unique.  I'm a huge boat fan.  Are you?

Hi! Once again, time has slipped by without me posting!  So I will once again make a better effort to post more frequently. 

It's been quite hot outside here in the VA/MD/DC area.  For those that lost your power during the recent storms, I hope by now you have power.  I know it has been quite the challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to stop by our shop, I would highly recommend it!  There are four dealers in one location and there is so much to see!  We have quite a few things on sale right now as we need to make room for new merchandise.

Feel free to let me know what you are shopping around for so I can keep a look out for you.  Once I find it, I will send a picture to you to see if you like it! 

Hope to see you soon!

Where Have I Been?!

HI!  Wow!  It has been six months since my last blog!  Really?  Not good, right?  OK, I will do a much better job at blogging more often, definitely more than once every six months : )

Things at the shop have been going very well.  Lots of merchandise coming and going.  So many things in the shop that I just want to keep for the house but I am running a business, right?  You should definitely stop by if you have not had a chance to do so.  If have already been to the shop, come on by soon as our merchaandise is always changing.

It's in the 70s this week so Spring is sneaking up on us.  Now we are getting outdoor merchandise ready and displayed.  Wrought iron, and of course cast iron, do very well.  Some of the iron pieces we even sandblast and repaint, depending on its condition. 

There are so many topics that I have on my list to blog about so get ready for my "more frequent" postings.

Have a great day!

Shopping for a Classic Car?

Take a look at this site that I came across: http://www.oldcaronline.com

Cool site if you are a fan of old cars!

Is It Too Hot To Shop?

Here in the DC/VA/MD area, at 8:00 p.m. the heat index outside was 111.  Now that is hot for this time of the day.  We are expecting the same, in fact, worse through Saturday.  So, if you decide to venture out to do some shopping, first off, dress so you stay as cool as possible, and secondly, keep plenty of water with you.  Then, definitely stop by our shop.  I am unable to be there as I am home recovering from a virus but no worries, the shop is open!

I received a call from the shop today and there is currently a high demand for mirrors.  There must be a lot of remodeling going on!  Wrought iron furniture continues to maintain a high demand. Side chairs are also in demand.  One of the interesting pieces that recently sold was a very nice Drexel leather top card table with four chairs. So, for all you Texas Hold Em players, you missed a nice piece!

What are you shopping around for?  For free to send me an e-mail and I will keep an eye out. 

JP's Antiques

Click her to visit our new site! Hope you like it!

Home from Vacation

I just returned home from a fantastic vacation in Scotland and England. I went with Michelle and we had a blast! The weather, food, culture, etc. was fantastic. Being 50% Scottish, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Scotland again. Too many years went by between my visits. We walked all day taking in all the beautiful sites. Of course, when the feet got tired, we popped into a pub for a pint. If you have not had a chance to visit the UK, I highly recommend it. We are already planning our next trip back to Scotland!

Early Spring Cleaning!

So we're in the process of cleaning out the shop, putting items that have been sitting for a while on sale, and buying away to get fresh new merchandise! It's an exciting time as we have a lot of great pieces currently available and a lot more on the way! At the same time, we continue moving forward with our new concept that I been have talking about frequently.

As always, I invite you to stop by our shop to take a look around! Also, feel free to e-mail me with any items in particular you are shopping around for. When I find it, I will e-mail pictures and arrange for delivery, it's that easy! So, let me know!

If you need a pair of wing back chairs, take a look this Pennsylvania House Chair. I have two that are identical and in beautiful condition!