Decorating Your Art Studio With Mid Century Collectibles And Furnishings

Organizing Your Art Studio With  A Mid Century Theme

My art studio at The Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT  reflects the Mid Century themes which inspire my Mixed Media abstract  collages and paintings. I like to surround myself with objects from the 1950s which carry through the design elements that I integrate into my work (hopefully).

Hunting For Collectibles For Your Art Studio

I hunt for collectibles in all the wrong (and right places).  I have my favorite Antique Malls and Junk shops that I periodically visit as well as snooping around Craigslist and other online sources.








Finding Bargains For Your Art Studio

The best place to find bargains is in a place that doesn't care to be sellling what you are looking for. For example, let's say a shop specializes in Victorian antiques but dabbles in a few other odds and ends. This might just be the place that you  actually find a quirky piece of pottery or decorative item  (which is out of place with the other itmes for sale)  but is just what you want and is not priced too high.

Look For Furnishings And Decor In Unexpected Places

Now it isn't always the case, but when a dealer comes across vintage items that they are not fond of or well versed on, they generally are happy to unload those items quicker. So you may actually do better finding what you are looking for in unexpected or even odd places. Some of my best finds arrived  this way.

The dealers who mostly carries collectibles with a Country kitchen theme may just have a funky vase  mixed in among the baskets. A collectibles dealer in Vermont who like Primitives is probably going to part with an Atomic era lamp for a better price  than the Mid Century dealer who has a shop in New York City.

There are no hard and fast rules here, but be open to finding what you are looking for all kinds of places and travel off the beaten path for real bargains.

Reader Input: Tell us what you have found in an unexpected place?  I  welcome your comments and feedback.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

What To Do With Your Parents Furniture When It's Not Too Old Or Collectible?

What To Do With Your Parent's Old Furniture?

I know you have heard this line before from elderly parents...."I gotta a lot of good stuff and it's worth something".  Oh boy, now this is a topic that needs some discussion. Let's take a visit to Miami,  Ft. Lauderdale, Delray Beach Florida (or other retirement spots  where a lot of our seniors migrated over the years. What do you do with mom and dad's furniture and collections when they are ready to change their residence and move into a smaller apartment, assisted living,  nursing home, return North or move closer to children?

How Do  You Know If Mom Or Dad's Furniture Is Valuable?

What do you do with rooms of old furniture that family does not want? Follow along here. If mom and or dad  are now frail and perhaps also struggling with dementia guess who now has to figure out how to unload decades of furniture and belongings.  While your parent's may still be able to insist that their furniture is "valuable"  you  (and your folks ) may be surprised to learn about  what is and what is not valuable. And if you thought you would just donate what's left after friends and relatives cherry picked the better things .. here is a wake up call.....even if you wanted to give it away.....it isn't that easy..SURPRISE

Vintage Mid Century Furniture Is Very Marketable

So how do you know if indeed you are sitting with some GOOD Stuff. Here is what I would like you to know. MID CENTURY is hot! If your parents still have couches, chairs, accessories from the 50s -60s you may be sitting with some great collectible pieces. But you need to be able to distinguish grandma  looking  things from desirable designs and manufacturers. I would suggest you spend some time online and take a look at reputable Mid Century Furniture dealers. Does what your parents have resemble what you see online ? Do they have Danish furniture? What condition is their furniture in?  Is their furniture stylish or boring?
Do some homework. Also visit my site http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/ and post photos for our community of members to discuss. Don't be bashful....we  like offering help.

You may also do well with Victorian and Art Deco styles.

Forget About Selling Parent's Furniture From the 80s 

Now if what your parents have is depressing 70s or heavy glass furniture from the 80s...you are in trouble. That type of furniture is hard to get rid of. But you can try calling some local used furniture dealers where they live as well as Goodwill, The Salvation Army etc. Note, these places only take furniture in good condition. You may actually have to pay someone to remove your furniture. Make sure you know ahead of time, what their terms are.

For more help on this topic visit: http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/search/label/Caring%20For%20%20Aging%20Parents



C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists