antique-ing

So is anyone hooked on the show american pickers? K so there is no question about it. Simply put- they are serious dorks. But come on- so fun to watch all the great old finds that come their way in middle america farm land. In lieu of our current obsession with this show, I thought I would share with you some of our favourite places to go pickin or antique-ing round here.

GARAGE SALES:

or "sailin" (as our aunty c likes to call it) are really the ultimate best places to score old goods. The seller has no overhead, usually wants to get rid of the goods that day, bargaining is free rain, which = mega scores at a fraction of the cost. The key is to get there early, get in and out and move onto the next and if you come across an estate sale- you've hit the motherload. A little secret- the best g sales are south of the border. I go every time we visit our cousins in seattle, and blown away by the finds.

USED BUILDING SUPPLY STORES:

The best one near vancouver is Jacks Used Building Supply. We often check this out when doing a "salvage design" garden projects for clients who want some vintage feel to their landscape. Finding old sink basins for planters, old signage to conceal a sight line, and old farmhouse lighting for a patio space.

Another good salvage store is the Restore. These are nationwide, but the two week like best are in Bellingham and Ballard WA. The one in ballard has a friendly cat named Ferdinand and some crafty staff who arrange the vintage items with such pride.

 VINTAGE YARDS:

I dont even know if this is the right term. Maybe, self proclaimed "Horders". These are the peops you see on American Pickers. The sentimental folk, who have an insane collection of goods, claim to be open for business, but then when you try to offer them a price for an item, they hold onto it like they never had any intention to sell in the first place. And rightfully so. They are really just collectors who want to invite you in, tell you the stories of the yee old days and then let you be on your way. Bless them. Nevertheless, worth a stop, and if your lucky, you may get to buy some gem after all. Granny and Grumpas is the best known secret in the valley. If you have an afternoon, head out to this farm yard of vintage goodness. Grumpa is slow & grumpy and granny is pretty much 100% deaf. They yell and bicker at one another, but love the company. Its quite a treat.

These last few images are from a trip I took two summers ago with my dad to Cooperstown NYC. We came across this neat old town, just in the outskirts. Met this wild guy, who was a true american collector. He even gave me an old dairy bottle to take back as a momento for our time back east.That's my dad below, peaking to see if anyone is home?

Comments

[Rosa @ FlutterFlutter]

Well I think I'm going to have to do some cross border "sailin" now!! ;)

[Sue]

Granny and Grumpa's sounds like an amazing place--I really love that "hours" sign!

I've always loved antiques, but appreciate them even more, now that products are made so poorly now.

[Veronica Roth]

I'm so happy to have come across your blog! I've got a 1920's house and am thrilled that you wrote about Jack's used buiding supplies. (who I didn't know anything about) Thank you. Also, it's lovely to meet fellow Vancouver bloggers.

[caitlin black]

Thanks veronica- gald you enjoyed. jack's is a great resource.