One of the great things about my Spaces gig, is that I get paid for something I was doing anyway. Under "hobbies" I should be listing "Haunting antique shops and not buying anything." A really great spot for this is River Market Antique Mall. These three floors of warehouse space in a neighborhood with legendary "alleged" mafia ties (now a super spot filled with lofts and restaurants) are chocked full of stuff. Some great, some junky, always reasonable. Like the four Heyward Wakefield chairs, above, for $375.
Or these vintage sea creature prints for $20 a piece.
Really, really great, huh?
Russell Wright pitcher for $35.
Adorable, no?
Look, the work is already done for you - $35 a piece.
The place is full of character. I don't think you need to be worried that the floors are patched with odd pieces of metal. I don't think you do. I don't.
There are some booths I just like the look of every time I'm there.
I keep going back to one dealer who had this great "Eames era" planter which was basically a metal cone that set in a tripod base. Which would have made the most amazing outdoor cooler for wine. Ok, here's the punch line. It was $85 and I just thought it was a smidge too high. I know, sometimes you make a bad call. I even went back again and it was there. Didn't buy it. A week later when I couldn't stop thinking about it I went back. Gone.
So now I go back to the same booth every time. Do I really think it's possible that he'll have another one? No. But he might.
There is a lot of stuff to weed through and it's best not to go in a hurry.
But treasures abound if you are patient.
Like me. This last trip I found a copy of Billy Baldwin Remembers for $12. It almost takes the sting out of missing the planter. Almost.
Labels: Antique Dealers