Antique Buying Tour in UK or Europe

15 years ago

Has anyone ever done one of these tours? I'm considering doing a tour to furnish the victorian we're buying and wondered what folks had to say about the exerience. They take you to several warehouses as well as stores, then pack and ship...though the sq ft of most of the included packaging and shipping isn't nearly enough for what I have in mind.

I had planned a less fancy tour with wholesalers on my own, but can't find anything like that anymore (a client of mine used to do them to fill his antique store a couple of times a year). Does anyone know of resources for this type of thing verses the fancier tours otu there? I just want to shop and pick up nice things to fill a huge house all at once :) I don't need to see Shakespears house again LOL

Comments (17)

lindac
15 years ago
I see no "artful" way to fill a huge house all at once...
I don't know where you live, but there are lots of dealers, auctions etc who di just that.
I used to know an auction house which would have a monthly auction from "crates" they had shipped over from England mostly. I believe once it was from Germany.
I know someone who would arrange and sponsor antiques buying truips to Europe....but I don't believe she's doing that any more.
Linda C
igloochic
Original Author
15 years ago
How would it be any different than calling in a designer to fill the whole house with furnishings? They can do this in an "artful" way pretty easily. I have no doubt in my ability to select appropriate furnishings on a week or two buying trip. Other items would be filled in over time most likely, but putting together a wonderful home full of antiques isn't rocket science.

There are lots of antique dealers in the town, but this is a large home, and to furnish it completely could depleat a few stores, and yet not provide me with a strong selection. The place is already filled with run of the mill antiques (victorian oak mostly, nothing terribly special) eastlake, etc. It's a special home, and deserves special furnishings. And I don't mind enjoying some kidney pie on the way :oP
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Ideefixe
15 years ago
The negative side, that I see, is that you're only going to shop with those vendors who have a deal with the tour operator. You're not going to get to wander around the Marche aux Puces alone. Take a look at Suzy Gershman's sites.
With the dollar being what it is, I'd say you could do better at First Dibs or at Bonham's monthly "estate sale" auctions.
Ideefixe
15 years ago
Do take a look at Bonham's estate sales--great pieces at pretty low prices. I think most of the dealers at First Dibs speak haggle, as well. I've linked to the Sunset Estate Auctions here in LA.
I wouldn't buy everything at one fell swoop myself, but that's a personal choice. On the other hand, any excuse for a trip works for me.
You also might take a look at Canadian dealers, esp. for big pieces of Victoriana.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sunset Estate Auctions Department
duluthinbloomz4
15 years ago
I think Linda just may have brushed aside the fact that many a house home was furnished with items purchased enmasse on a Grand Tour. We have quite a few examples of just such decorating right here in my little corner of the world. While the European craftsmen were here putting the finishing touches on the linenfold panelling, carved staircases, and intricate plaster work, the owners were in Europe buying. With taste and vision even. :-)
igloochic
Original Author
15 years ago
Actually our first choice in a home was in Duluth, and still retained many of it's original furnishings. Obviously European (many french pieces as well as early english). Gorgeous stuff. Some day we may buy that house and we'll be neighbors Duluth :oP I hope you'll visit my "house" (which will be a fabulous and very fun home!!)
ramses_2
15 years ago
If you're looking for bedding and bedroom furnishings we've bought fantastic beds from this place:
http://www.seventh-heaven.co.uk/

It appears they are going out of business and will be holding auctions and sales. Maybe you could contact them and get some great deals.

Also, this place has gorgeous furniture and antiques:

http://www.leatherchairs.co.uk/chairs.html

We found that most places can arrange for whatever you buy to be shipped quite easily.

And definitely check out Liberty's for fabrics.

For what it's worth, I think the USA has a pretty amazing selection of victorian antiques as well. Good luck Igloo, and have fun!
igloochic
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much ramses. (Although DH says he does not thank you for reminding me about Liberty's...I'm a fabricoholic ya see...and you've just fed my habit heh heh).

I'll check out both of those sites, and see where they lead me :)

Just to be clear...the buying trip is mostly just for large basic pieces (nice ones, but still the basics) like beds, dressers, amoires, side tables, dining table, etc. We'll buy the majority of the other items over time here in the US. So both countries (and they both contribute to our income in different ways) will receive our little part of the stimulus package :oP We actually just found a devine sofa and two club chairs for the library here in town. Gorgeous art deco pieces with wonderful carving...and they're comfy as well :)

I can't believe I'd forgotten Liberty's LOL
baerbaer
15 years ago
Hi igloochic,

YEAHHHH for you!! You go! You have a big house and want to live in it, and you can't live in it empty! I'll bet you get a FAB baby's room out of it. Your baby, your business (lol)! A European buying trip is a FUN way to find things you would never find in the corner antique store. Buying should be fun, and if you end up with extra or unwanted pieces when you get home, I'll bet you have a big attic!

And SHAME on "someone" who says that an American house full of European antiques is all wrong! Yes, my first thought was of the Grande Tour (of Europe) taken by wealthy American families who furnished their American mansions, and whose collections now form the foundations of so many great art collections in museums in America today! Igloochic, you are just repeating good history. Plus, you get the look of a time-built collection because everything is already "old" and mismatched.

I live in Switzerland and have bought GREAT antiques all over Europe that you never see in the US, and if you do they are very expensive because they are high-end European, not American. Some are to fill our home here, some for our Victorian mansion in NY and some for our Federal style "farm house" in Upstate NY (let's not forget that many early American homes were filled with ENGLISH furnishings ... we were still British at that time in case anyone forgot!).

And I am a designer. Some clients need to be guided by the hand. There is NOTHING wrong with that. Everyone needs professional help with one thing or another they are not good with. Example, "someone", do YOU do all of your investments and taxes? Didn't think so, so don't dig against designers!!! Some people need just some help, and then there are the blessed who follow their heart like you igloochic. I am THRILLED for you!

Anyway, enough from me! Send pics, or updates during your travels!
Regards,
Baer

PS. Below are our babies! ;-))
angeldog
15 years ago
BaerBaer...now that you've somewhat identified yourself, I would love to see pictures of YOUR homes.....we could all use some designer shots of antiques...I love looking at other's arrangements of antiques. And Igloochic...want to see your pictures too, so please post them when you get back. I love this forum and would like to start seeing others chime in more often to get different perspectives on the questions presented.
ramses_2
15 years ago
"that you never see in the US"

I've purchased things in Europe and things in the US....trust me, there was a tiny wee bit of wealth happening over here at the time, small little cottages in Newport for instance? In fact, you could argue that at that time in history, Americans were busy flexing their economic muscle and bringing lots of goodies and talent over to the States.

Nice babies!
baerbaer
15 years ago
Hi Ramses,
You are right, I should have said "rarely" or overpriced rather than never! I know there was money in the US at the time (several branches of my family are counted in Burkes Peerage and well documented in American history ... on a minor scale!). I have a library full of art and architecture books on Newport (toured some of the houses as well), Philly Main Line, Long Island, McKim Meade & White (architects), and even one book dedicated specifically to the Vanderbilts. If one looks at Vizcaya in Miami, Deering and Chafin shopped endlessly in Europe while the house was being built. And let's not forgot Fifth Avenue! The difference is that for those houses there is a big financial gap in the purchasing power and "scale" of the antiques of those home owners from the "average" wealthy American. A lot of the really great stuff is either still in private hands or in museums. Still, the stuff is fab. Yes, great "Grande Tour" items can still be found in the US!

I think what Igloochic is probably going to do is take advantage of the fact that antique furniture is not "hot" here like it is in the US. Better prices here (dirt cheap) if you can fill a container of one's own and ship it home. I think she is going about it the right way.

And NOBODY has ANY right to guilt her as Mother for taking this trip. I AM DISGUSTED and APPALLED!!!!!!!!!! This is not a diaper forum (although the amount of S**T comments I often read on here makes me think otherwise). Igloochic asked for antiques recommendations, NOT MOTHERING ADVICE! GOOD GOD LINDA, LET IT GO and mind your own family!!! Before Igloochic's question I had stopped coming on here because I was tired of the all-knowing, judgemental comments (yes, NOW I'M MAD!!!)

And Angeldog!
I, like you, enjoy new people piping in (just sorry for so much defensive piping on this one)! I will try to post a couple of pics of my Swiss flat (be warned, I am not a very good photographer, lol!) I will include some pics of my NYC flat before I moved all of that to this place. Like Igloochic I am working on filling my filling my Victorian house (I have a container in Connecticut waiting for me) so my "work in progress" will be awhile. And the farmhouse! AH! My beloved farmhouse! It is a 1790's house built from the remains of an even older barn. The interior beam framing in the attic is SPECTACULAR! It is an "ancestral"/family home I am grateful to have ... except I haven't gone in about two years, lol. The Victorian porches were just removed last year and I'll see if I can find the pics that were sent to me. I will do a separate post.

Igloochic, GO FOR IT! I cannot wait to see how you progress along. You are inspiring.

TschÃ¼ss,
Baer
angeldog
15 years ago
BaerBaer and Igloochic:
I love antiques and hearing about posters acquisitions. I grew up next door to an antique shop in a neighbor's home, so antiques have been my fascination since a child. I've collected as much as possible over the last 30 years. When my sister lived in London for a few years, I was fortunate to spend 2 weeks there and travel all over the countryside with her. The finds were incredible and she shipped them all back for me when she moved back to the states so I had the best of everything...free place to stay and free shipping! While I dont want to see her far away, I wouldn't mind if she could manage another 4 year stint there!

As far as the judgmental comments here, I'm appalled too and am tired of the sarcasm in many answers that accompany a post. I like questions that are answered with research, hard facts and every now and then, speculations and suggestions (which sometimes are right on target!) I have no doubt in the expertise of some of these posters, but am frustrated with the quick-response guess.

Thank you BaerBaer.....I am looking forward to your photos, amateur or not, and your future postings! Igloochic...have a great time on your shopping trip. I have a 21 year old son in college. The saying is true that the hardest JOB in the world is being a parent. And every JOB allows for vacation! The time away will make you a better parent...remember the components of the word "Recreation": "RE-CREATE"...re-create your spirit, your mind, your heart, and your family will love you all the more for it.
ramses_2
15 years ago
Sorry Baer, but I think you might need a history lesson.(And to tone down the hilarious self promotion)

America at that time had lots and lots of newfound immense wealth tucked into virtually every pocket of the country.(Fortunes that very often eclipsed the buying power of Europe....) And people were fairly intense about displaying that wealth, be they in a small town or in Newport. It didn't matter if they made their fortunes in elevators or railroads...everyone wanted the best they could buy.

Beautiful, important pieces can still be found quite easily here in the states. Yes, you can pay an arm and a leg...but one can still shop smart and find deals.(I would imagine the same can be said for shopping in Europe...in fact, having done so I can swear to it)

To state that the only good pieces are in private hands or museums and that one MUST shop in Europe to find anything decent is pure well, I'll settle on hyperbole that wafts.

I have an 1840 Greek Revival that had been filled with important pieces before we bought it, unfortunately the family that owned it...a family that counted an important revolutionary general as an ancestor sold them all off at a local amish auction.

We've furnished our home over the years with finds from auctions, museum sales, antique shops, 'junk' shops that the fine antique dealers would hunt through, estate sales, dead aunts:), and trips to Europe. I honestly can't say that I've ever been tempted to believe that Europe is superior.(Except for antique beds...the beds are perfectly spotless over there, hardly a nick or scratch)
baerbaer
15 years ago
Hi Ramses,

History lesson on ... ? I am acutely aware of the disparity in wealth between America and Europe back then. It was fashionable to marry off rich heiresses to bankrupt royalty. And I do not believe I said "all" great stuff was in museums etc. Just "a lot". And that I said "MUST" shop Europe and that Europe is "superior"? Ughh. Again, I think you are reading your own interpretation into it.

Whatever. I am so over this thread.
ramses_2
15 years ago
And now you're backpeddling, you said:

"The difference is that for those houses there is a big financial gap in the purchasing power and "scale" of the antiques of those home owners from the "average" wealthy American. A lot of the really great stuff is either still in private hands or in museums. "

History lesson simply on the time period. You make it seem that the great wealth was held by a small few and that's simply not true. There was great wealth to be found throughout the country and with it massive purchasing of the finest quality pieces and craftsmanship. Common sense would dictate that if America's wealth was greater during that period...at least our spending power was greater, distributed to more people willing and capable of buying the truly great pieces that those pieces would still be here waiting to be found and not in Europe where there was less of it to begin with. You see the logic there don't you?

As a decorator, I don't have to tell you the many ways one can find wonderful pieces. I certainly have enjoyed doing the 'grand' tour, but I find ridiculous and precious the suggestion that one would need to shop in Europe to outfit a victorian home in the US.
sombreuil_mongrel
15 years ago
Europe possessed the old culture and its artifacts that the newly wealthy, and aspiringly-wealthy in the USA aspired to. Depending on the cultural/educational level the American embodied, he could satisfy the "want" in any number of ways. They could, and did, commission new pieces from European and American bespoke furniture makers. You'd be surprised how many too good to be true pieces in robber baron's mansions are reproductions, bought knowingly or not. The few that could afford to engaged in the activity of plundering the old world of its treasures. Americans were all too well aware that they had a young country with no native culture, and it had to be imported.
Casey

Antique Buying Tour in UK or Europe

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Antique Buying Tour in UK or Europe

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