Whether she’s traveling for fun or sourcing, antiques curator Annie Bluhm can’t resist an impromptu stop. Last year, her adventures took her all the way from Maine to the Florida Keys, and she found herself browsing the crowded aisles of 32 antiques stores along the way.
Many of her finds end up for sale either via her business, The Brass Cricket, or the vintage market she hosts twice a year, the Great Finds Market, in Great Falls, Virginia. But the tips and secrets she learned while visiting more than 30 antiques stores are helpful for collectors of all stripes. From looking for regionally specific finds to always taking the long route, these are her best lessons learned during a year of nonstop antiquing.
And, regardless of where you end up, true antiques enthusiasts can always find something. “My talent is I’ve never left empty-handed! I can always find at least one piece,” says Annie.
Follow the Signs
Annie, who is originally from New England, travels back to New Hampshire at least twice a year. On a recent visit, she ventured to Antique Alley along Route 2 and hit the road with a plan of the exact shops to visit. “I went to six stores in as many hours, and I started to get hungry. I saw a sign for a General Store, and I pulled off to get a snack,” recalls Annie. “As I approached the store, there was a big wind flag that said, ‘ANTIQUES.’”
She didn’t end up finding a snack but instead, found herself at Gossville General Store, which is one of the most incredible treasure troves of antiques she’s ever visited. If it hadn’t been for a sign and a diversion from her original map, she never would have found this must-visit store.
Look for Regionally Specific Pieces
It’s no surprise that each region will have antiques that are unique to the place. There’s always a sense of provenance in antiques. A grandmother in Florida who has taken all of her pieces to the local antiques store will typically have a different style than a collector in Massachusetts. That’s the beauty of antiquing—you truly get a feel for the stories of each place.
This knowledge also informs Annie’s approach to her search. In New England, for example, there are more Americana pieces that reflect our nation’s history. “New England has Federal pieces at a good price point, whereas in the mid-Atlantic, there’s a much higher price point on Federal-style furniture,” says Annie. Meanwhile, Virginia is a great place for hunt country-inspired art, and Florida boasts a wealth of coastal pieces.
Buy What’s Not Necessarily Popular
Along the same lines, it can also pay to look for decor that is not as popular within the region you’re in. Chinoiserie is a great example of a style that is more beloved in certain areas, which can lead to a larger markup. “Chinoiserie is pretty ubiquitous, but varies in its quality and curation. I can more likely source a nice piece in New England, whereas it might be priced too high in the South, where it’s more popular,” says Annie.
Gather Ideas at the Curated Stores
The beauty of antiquing is that every store has its own identity. There are shops filled floor-to-ceiling with dusty dishware and cast-off collections, while others are incredibly curated with styled vignettes that look straight out of a magazine. Often, the prices reflect the level of curation, but that doesn’t mean Annie skips the higher-end stores. “It’s fun to go into the aspirational stores! That’s where I think about what I like and gather inspiration.”
Know That the Off-Google Destinations May Have Better Prices
“If you’re relying 100 percent on Google to find shops, you’re going to be shopping at a higher price point,” says Annie. Antiques stores that are lacking a website, only have a Facebook page, or better yet, don’t even pop up on Google, are where you’ll find the once-in-a-lifetime deals.
Take the Long Route
Few antiques stores will have a presence on an exit sign, so take time to drive down those non-highway roads when you’re traveling. “Take the long route. Poke around these small towns and see what you can find. So many of these places aren’t antiquing destinations, but any good small town will have at least one vintage or antiques shop,” explains Annie.
A shop may not look like it’s worth a stop from the outside, but you can never be sure what’s hiding inside. And, worst case scenario, if there’s not much to be found, you can stroll through quickly and get back on your way.
Always Do One More Lap
The overcrowded aisles of an antiques store can be overwhelming. There’s so much to look at! So much to take in! Walking through a booth, you may notice the framed oil paintings but completely miss the ironstone sitting just beneath. That’s why Annie always suggests going through twice. “Do one or more lap if you have time! The second lap can reveal new things,” says Annie.
That second lap is even more productive if you keep an open mind. Annie doesn’t typically go into a shop with a plan, and she lets the pieces find her. “I’ll always pick up transferware or brass, and if I’m in a specific region where I know there will be a concentration of a certain decor type, I’ll keep an eye out. But otherwise, I’m open-ended.”
Build Relationships
“One of the best things about going into the smaller shops and going in repeatedly is building relationships with the owners. Seeing the same shop owners over and over, they might have things that just came in,” says Annie.
She always tries to get to know the owners of shops she frequents, but she’s also found it’s helpful to chat with owners on or ahead of her travels, since they may know of a place that’s off the beaten path. On one trip, a shop owner directed Annie toward a man selling antiques out of his barn. That’s the kind of hidden gem you’ll never find on Google.
Go to an Antiques Mall if You’re Short on Time
Lastly, if you’re short on time, go straight to the local antiques mall. It’s the best place to focus your efforts and find a large variety of styles and price points in one fell swoop. “As you get into the basement or up on the third floor, that’s where there are deals. And the ones that have stuff everywhere often have the best prices—just make sure you don’t have a shoulder bag on!” laughs Annie.
