Vintage Fairs - Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
I love the suspense and idea of a hidden prize which has been lying there, biding its time, waiting for you to find it. With lockdown easing and fairs opening their doors I have forgotten how much I enjoy a browse, listening to traders share stories and hearing the laughter and chatter from people as they enjoy the hunt. On-line is amazing, but it can never compete with this.
Why buy vintage?
One reason we cannot ignore is the sustainability aspect. It’s environmentally friendly and a greener way of shopping, as well as being a great way to rediscover and breathe new life into furniture. Not only that it is also an opportunity to express your individuality. The majority of pieces are one of a kind, and no one else will have them. What’s not to love?
Here are my 5 favourite go to items at fairs:
Chairs
Who doesn’t love an accent chair? Fairs are great for picking up midcentury, French or English antique, and those bobbin chairs we all love now. Never be afraid to test them out - you don’t want a creaky old chair - and if it needs reupholstering you can always ask the seller if they are able to do this for you.
Lighting
You cannot go wrong for lamps and ceiling lights. The majority of my lamps and ceiling lights have been bought from fairs or antique shops. When sourcing it is always best to check with the seller if they need to be re-wired.
Textiles
From cushions to quilts to rugs to table cloths, the world is your oyster. Don’t be afraid of having a good look at the products and open out table cloths and quilts fully so you can assess the quality of the fabric.
Books
Since the rise of zoom meetings, second hand books have literally been flying off the shelves with people wanting their bookcases to look more interesting. A great way to do this is with second hand books. I love old books and have them dotted around my house. From large coffee table ones to precious poetry books, they can really add that extra interest to your home.
Art
From vintage posters to oil paintings to water colours, if you’re after something large or small scale then fairs are great places to start building your art collection.
Ceramics
If there’s one thing that won’t let you down at a fair it is ceramics. You will most likely stumble across and fall in love with a vase or water jug or vintage plate or if you’re lucky a whole dinner set. You can usually pick up these items for really good prices as well.
Happy hunting and I look forward to seeing all your fabulous vintage finds.