The Art of Gracious Living

Welcoming Fall

2010-09-21T13:17:00.001-04:00

Fall has arrived in New England bringing with it the cool, crisp days and hints of the glorious colors to come. The kids are back to school, the days are getting shorter and we find ourselves looking up recipes for the perfect apple crisp. We begin to take a look inside our home and think up ways to make it cozy and inviting.

At Wrentham Antiques we add touches of bittersweet, pumpkins and colored leaves to well stocked cupboards and place sunflowers and mums in brass, copper and pottery containers. Candles in warm browns and oranges are added to every tablescape. Soup tureens, wooden bowls, brass candlesticks and baskets are some of our most sought after items this time of year. Our old wood Farm tables and country cupboards are laden with ironstone china and pewter . This is the perfect time of year for antiquing and apple picking in Wrentham, Mass.

Many of our customers make a day trip to the farms in our area such as Cook’s Valley Farm and The Big Apple and then meander along the back roads to visit us and the many delightful small shops our town has to offer.

French, Renaissance Revival is Elegant & Timeless

2010-04-18T10:18:00.002-04:00

Although the early 1900's was no different than the prior 30+ years, when observing one revival after another, it was a time when the American middle class was beginning to make its claim as a consumer. Furniture along with the rest of one's home decor could truly make a statement while remaining within arm's length of a budget.

The revival of the French Renaissance was as popular to the dicerning eye as a trip to Paris and displayed a time when delicate and detailed merged with ease. The genteel case with its continuous curves hand-carved out of solid woods and accented with even more elaborate appliqués draws in the most casual observer. Intricate veneering using the natural grain patterns patched together with carefully chosen and placed pieces offers the illusion of symmetry.

However, it is the glass that always inspires the greatest sense of awe with its serpentine lines that creates the illusion of being suspended by the magic of a lost art, diffusing the image of coveted possessions as evidence of success and standing. What better way for one to have enjoyed the dual purpose of satisfying both the statement to a visitor and the satisfaction of bringing grace and beauty into one's own home?

Customers are Improving the Industry...one great find at a time!

2010-04-16T15:03:00.005-04:00

Higher quality & better condition has been a difficult standard to cultivate. Over the last 20 years we were continuously tempted by the industry's tendency to accept a low standard because there was always plenty of stuff... 1) there and 2) cheap. Just because something is there and cheap doesn't mean someone will want, need or simply desire to have it. All too often, that approach creates a shop where the few "good" items are overshadowed by the cluttered, build up of unwanted, well...stuff.

How many shops have evoked an unconscious "recoil" that has lead to your early exit? We have been fortunate to have developed a meaningful relationship with most of our customers which has prompted us to listen and respond to what they want, need and often, simply desire.

In recent years we have been truly blessed with an abundance of fantastic merchandise that continues to improve our ability to serve our customers. We thank all who have contributed to this evolution...one unique and great find at a time!

The "Stuff Bell Curve" and the 3 Stages

2010-03-25T01:34:00.003-04:00

While we concentrate on being an advocate for our customers we’ve noticed that they transition through three basic stages and we help them to explore their options whether they are:
1) gathering
2) changing
3) distributing
their quality, prized possessions. Picture it as a kind of bell curve that slowly arcs along a person’s life cycle and it is common for all kinds of folks to need help and for different reasons. We have found that although most are very proficient within their own field of expertise they usually need a bit of help when it comes to one or all three stages of the “Stuff Bell Curve.”

The desire to create and maintain a “home” and its decor can easily become anything from a mundane grind to an overwhelming endeavor. Options are myriad and choices must be made and are usually best made with the aid of a trusted advisor. Whether that advisor is a friend, family member, a decorator/designer or a certain, familiar shop keeper…with whom you have a deep sense of confidence…oh and, of course, trust!

We believe trust is best achieved over time and where the exchange of ideas and goods is open and honest. Pushing an extrinsic sale or promoting impulsive buying can prematurely shorten the development of a long term relationship. A good conversation along with some listening and thoughtful consideration will usually result in better decisions. Nothing builds trust better than a good choice that provides long term satisfaction!

Becoming Your “Quality Exchange”

2010-03-19T02:18:00.002-04:00

This is a multi part series that speaks to how folks can manage the quality, value and process of furnishing and decorating their home throughout the full expanse of their personal life.

Part I: Becoming Your “Quality Exchange”
Over the last 20 years we have continued to evolve in response to many influences. We have come from the humble beginnings of an "Antiques Group Shop" to what might best be described as a "Quality Exchange." The essence of the “Exchange” is where we are asked to both “sell to and for” our customers. Most of the changes have been the inevitable result of attending daily classes in the small business "School of Hard Knocks!" (Oh why couldn't life just be a simplistic cadence of clearly defined activities ending with a gold-filled watch?) However, our most important changes came when we finally noticed our customer's series of unfulfilled needs throughout their three basic stages of life.

Having worked with an array of antiques enthusiasts ranging from the "Weekend Hobbyist," the "Frustrated Opportunist" and the “Avid Collector” all the way to the successful "Antiques Dealer" we have managed to learn a lot! Through the "fog" of the daily grind where everyone needs you to focus on them eventually we managed to slip clear of the clamber and find our true mission.

We now concentrate on getting better at executing one, central idea. We consider ourselves our customer’s advocate before we even meet them and in doing so, care about that moment in time when they talk about any experience they may have had with us or when they show someone important to them a purchase they made at our store. Because we know that if those moments go well for them everything else will take care of itself. Only our customers can judge how well we are executing our mission…each and every day…

Look for Part II: The 3 Basic Stages of Life & Trusted Relationships

Our Farm Table...the Center of Our Home

2010-03-03T21:44:00.003-05:00

Our reclaimed, barn board, farm table is truly the center of our family's life. It is a true friend of today's lifestyle as it morphs perfectly as a durable, low maintenance and yet decorative work horse. We find ourselves there at least once a day and more often many times throughout the day. The simple fact that our farm table holds a prominent location right, smack in the middle of our home and is at the crossroads to the rest of the house, lends itself well as more than just a place to eat and converse.

The occasional ding and dibble seems to blend in as the years of character from weather and wear act as a natural camouflage. The sponge-wipe-for-life, smooth surface offers a sort of refuge and peace of mind as though to reminded us that the table is here to work and with a sense of "grace under fire."

The busy schedule that we all keep has a way of forcing us to be somewhat centralized as we traverse from room to room searching for the "this that and the other," temporarily misplaced necessity as we prepare for our next trip to and from schools, classes, appointments, work, family functions and social commitments...not to mention the occasional respite from perpetual motion when we actually get a moment to sit!

So, aside from the ever-changing decorative centerpiece, we often have a collection of mail, catalogs, electronic devices, the ever-elusive set of keys, a tea or coffee mug...or two...or three, or so, a few books, newspaper, school projects, coupons and quite often a laptop or two. All serving an important role in our very current, up to date, can't seem to catch up lives!

We do have the almost daily, traditional meals or holiday feast where we clear the decks and adorn the old wood surface with a full complement of vintage, table appointments suitable for a much needed moment of grace and interpersonal connectivity. Ah, the slow motion of those moments and the daily updates from whomever about who knows what. Then, the tranquility is set on pause while one or two unfortunate "volunteers" clatter their way through the clean, rinse and stack ritual that inevitably must follow what was a sacred, healing experience. Such is the cadence of life.

A Valentine's Day Table for Two

2010-02-05T10:10:00.001-05:00

I love the idea of creating a romantic dinner for two or a special dinner or breakfast for the whole family. We’ve had a lot of fun at the shop this week putting together some table vignettes to share with our customers.

Candlelight, crystal, china and flowers make everyone feel as though they are attending a special event! For us, making dinner and spending an evening together at our own table is a special event!

2010-01-27T09:53:00.018-05:00

Come to our

Showroom and
Meet the Craftsman from
Warren Chair Works

JC Bellman

This Saturday Only, January 30th, 1-4PM
JC has been a wood craftsman for most of his adult life. He is skilled in both machined & handcrafted furniture making, as well as a master wood carver. He has been intimately involve in the evolution of this georgious, new addition to the Warren Chair Works of Warren, RI's handcrafted, CONTEMPORARY LINE of furniture. JC will be on hand to discuss all aspects of the newest addition to the Warren Chair Works Line of Fine Furniture!

THE CONTEMPORARY FARM TABLE & CHAIRS

YOU HAVE TO SEE this furniture to truly appreciate the beauty inherent in the subtlties brought about by the concept behind it's creation. The use and combination of all Solid Cherry or Walnut, Maple & Tiger Maple that is finished without staining highlights the natural grain and wood tones. The opposing and sweeping lines capture the eye with the use of Pin Stripes of Tiger Maple.

The table lacquer finish is applied so that the natural, wood grain texture can just barely be studied with the hand as it is inevitably drawn to the surface of each piece in this magnificent line of creative genius.

Truly, functional pieces of art made with 18th century techniques!

The Hope Chest is a Time Capsule!

2010-01-07T10:15:00.002-05:00

I’m wondering if anyone under the age of 35 knows what a hope chest is? My mother has one and so do most women of her age. That’s where they collected the linens and other items – maybe a negligee or two - they would use to set up a home when they married.

Mom, who is in her seventies, received her hope chest from my father after becoming engaged to him. Other women received their chests from their own mothers before becoming engaged. I have been talking to women of all ages about their hope chests, and I’ve found that everyone seems to have a different story about how they received and used these attractive storage chests.

We just received the contents of a 90-year-old woman’s hope chest. It contained the story of her life! The embroidered and cutwork linen, tablecloths, antimacassars (anyone want to take a guess?) and pillowcases stitched with the couple’s initials. The wedding journal from the 1940s – she never wrote in it, but she kept it all those years; perhaps she couldn’t bring herself to part with a gift from her bridal shower. Did she wear that white lace boudoir jacket on her honeymoon?

We also got a glimpse into her married life. The aprons, neatly folded and unstained but soft from use, were handmade with Christmas themes and whimsical patterns typical of the 1950’s. Tablecloths the size of card tables were embroidered on each corner. China teacups recalled the countries where the couple had travelled. Gently worn, kid leather gloves, pocketbooks and piles of delicately embroidered handkerchiefs spoke of special occasions.

Today, vintage hope chests are not necessarily bought in anticipation of married life, but for the great storage they offer. If you happen to have inherited or have purchased a Lane hope chest from the 1920’s through 1987, you can call Lane at 1-888-856-8758 to receive a new childproof lock – see how things have changed? I can’t even imagine thinking my mother’s hope chest was the perfect place to hide when playing hide and go seek! But my big sister and I sure did like to peak into Mom’s hope chest – when she sent us there to retrieve something – and see the treasures inside.

Around the Kitchen Table...

2009-12-27T16:49:00.007-05:00

Our kitchen table is a sanctuary, where we end our day as a family, not everyday, but as often as we can.

Our farm table provides the perfect surface for enjoying morning coffee while catching up on the news, emails and writing my blog. Oh, it sees many uses from craft projects, to homework, jigsaw puzzles to board games. But for me, the table’s best use is as the setting for a casual family dinner of simple home cooked food. It is worth the effort to slow down, connect with my children and husband, and just be together for a short time. Once dinner is over, we sometimes(but not often enough) linger over tea and dessert, sharing in love, laughter and conversation until the sighs begin and off we go to resume our busy schedules.

Years ago, my sister-in-law gave me a beautiful book entitled Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions, by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I have referred often to this book when trying to make special holidays and events, especially the Christmas season, even more memorable for my children. Simple ideas, such as bringing back the ritual of a Sunday meal, I took to heart. I serve a special brunch for my family and an ever-changing guest list. I’ve tried any number of recipes for French toast, quiche and omelettes over the years, but the children love “The Big, Fluffy Pancake” best. Remarkably, they still get excited as it comes out of the oven, puffed up like a soufflé. Some have gotten absolutely enormous!

If you’d like to try this pancake, CLICK HERE for the remarkably simple recipe. Be sure to let me know how yours comes out and how it is received. Even better, send me a photo as it emerges from the oven!

This blog isn’t about simple nostalgia for a time past, but a forum for thinking about how to renew traditions that seem almost lost, but which updated to suit our contemporary lives, could enrich our families enormously. It’s about creating new traditions that help bind family and friends – and maybe even live on in the lives our children make for themselves.

2009-12-10T09:17:00.006-05:00

The Ties That Bind…

Every December, my family engages in a favorite holiday tradition – the Chowder Fest.

It all began with a little fish, the smelt, which is most readily available in our local supermarkets during the early winter months. My cousin loves to eat this little fish, and my father loves to oblige him by breading and frying them.

Not everyone is a smelt fan, however, so the menu grew to include seafood chowder, and now not a holiday season goes by without about 20 of us gathered around festive tables, feasting on the nutty tasting smelts, thick seafood chowder made with lobster, clams, scallops and haddock, warm rolls and salad.

Preparations begin days before as my father heads to the markets to find the freshest smelts – and he knows smelts! As a boy in Nova Scotia, he would catch them while ice fishing and sell them to the local fish market.

He and Mom also hunt for the best ingredients for their famous chowder. I, as always, help with the table arranging; preparing a table for the adults, one for the teens and a small round one for the youngest cousins. The tables are all set with linen tablecloths and napkins, Limoges china, sterling flatware, water goblets, wine goblets and tapered candles. On the adult table, the ivory English Titianware soup tureen serves as the centerpiece.

The evening is a time for us to gather with cousins, aunts, siblings and parents, and share with our children the ties of tradition that bind our family from generation to generation.

After bowing our heads in thanks for our blessings, the chowder tureen is filled with the thickest, creamiest, tastiest seafood chowder yet. Heaping platters of fried smelts arrive from the kitchen, where Dad presides over the frying pan. We toast to another year gone by.

If you’d like to try my father’s recipe for smelts and their recipe chowder, which could win an award in any contest, click here.

Every family has their special traditions. I know of one family that spends the afternoon of Christmas Eve wandering downtown Boston, buying last minute items and waiting for the lights to start twinkling. My sister’s Puerto Rican friends have their coquito (a coconut eggnog) and musical parrandas.

What about your family? What makes your holiday celebrations distinctive? Please share them with us in the comment section of this blog.

Welcome to "The Art of Gracious Living"

2009-12-03T00:32:00.014-05:00

This is my first post on our new

“The Art of Gracious Living” forum. I am looking forward to our sharing ideas about holiday traditions, celebrations and bringing civility and graciousness back into our daily lives.

Perhaps, like me, you feel the world has gotten a little coarse, a little too rushed and way too anxious. Maybe you would like to reflect on what our mothers, grandmothers and great aunts did to create sanctuaries for their families despite the challenges of the world outside.
When I was a child, I was always eager to help my mother set the table for a holiday meal, birthday or any other occasion. I loved taking out the Limoges china, only used for these special gatherings, and arranging each place setting with the crystal wine goblet, water goblet and the silver plate flatware, polished to a high sheen. I arranged two to three different forks, placed on a carefully folded linen napkin and the knife and teaspoon carefully around each plate. The gravy ladle, butter knives, flowers, candles, sparkling crystal condiment dishes and salt and pepper shakers, gravy boat, covered vegetable dishes to keep those mashed potatoes and creamed, pearl onions warm. The olives even had their own special fork!

With a gleaming setting like this, you couldn’t help but dress up a bit and remember to place your white crisp linen napkin on your lap before the first bite! Children, including me when I was small, were always on their best behavior, careful not to drop food on the brilliant white tablecloth and asking for dishes to be passed rather than using the “boarding house reach.”

I love this time of year at my shop, because our customers are as interested as I am in setting a beautiful table. Cut glass pitchers, wine glasses and water goblets; silver platters and vintage linens are purchased almost daily to take a star turn during a holiday gathering. I know these elegant vintage treasures will be cherished for years and meals to come.

I don’t think holidays should be all about the menu, do you? Please tell me your stories of holiday table settings. Do you have a special item that you lovingly take out for special occasions? What are your fondest memories of family dinners? Help us celebrate the holidays with your comments and photos that tell the story of how you express The Art of Gracious Living.

I hope that you, no matter your age or experience, will share in this conversation.

Become a Wrentham Antiques FAN on FaceBook

2009-11-26T23:14:00.009-05:00

KIM MAY is BACK!

Join us for this

ONE DAY EVENT

Sunday, November 29th, from 12-5

Kim is offering 15% off her entire collection

...and deeper discounts for multiple purchases!!!

Sterling & White Gold

Kim will be bringing an extensive collection

of antique, vintage & fine jewelry

for this one day event!

Hand Carved Vintage Ivory

Enjoy free , fresh brewed, Starbucks coffee & delicious goodies!

A Forest of Christmas Pins

Some of what will be available...

Authentic vintage tiffany, Mikimoto pearl broaches, Victorian & Edwardian jewelry, carved & figural bakelite, cameos, designer signed Mexican silver, Lorenzo earrings, Miriam Haskell, Wendey Gell, Italian micro mosaic pieces, signed mid-century modernist pieces and much more!

Antique & vintage diamonds & gemstones

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

2009-11-20T10:37:00.012-05:00

Join us this Saturday, November 21st

for a

Specialty Jewelry Show

Featuring

MOONSTONES

in Sterling & 14K Gold

Moonstones capture and reflect natural light...especially the magic of moonlight!

On hand will be a large selection of Victorian, Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts as well as contemporary settings.

**********************

Also On Hand...

Over 30 Pendants by Famed Creator

Henryk Winograd

Henryk is well known for his detailed work in the art of repousse
as shown in this exsquisite example of the peacock done in pure silver.

Working It Everyday to Bring You the BEST!

2009-10-29T20:09:00.012-04:00

We have been in the salt mines for days on end. Beating the bushes, scowering the landscape and leaving no stone unturned! Ok, so maybe we have been a bit more proactive in our effort to find, process and present to you a lot of great, primarily vintage (early 1900's) decorative accessories.

The idea is to make available to you the very decorative, as well as very useful, items to help you with this entertaining season...oh, and of course...at a very good price!

We have all of your favorites in decorative accessories and china including:

Noritake China
Fitz & Floyd
Waterford
Franz
Tiffany
Spode
Wedgewood
Belleek
Limoges
Elegant Glass

Sterling & Silverplate Flatware and Serving Pieces

We look forward to helping you to make this holiday & entertaining season the very best!

2009-10-21T23:00:00.011-04:00

Charity Hummel Evaluation Weekend!

Come in and Meet

Collector & Expert

John Ward

October 24th & 25th

Saturday & Sunday

from 1:00 until 4:00
$5.00 per person for up to 5 Hummels.

All proceeds go to a Charity of John's choice.

John will be on hand to help you evaluate the market value of your hummel(s). He will inspect and study each piece for it's authenticity, condition and relative value. He will also discuss the care and repair of your hummels.

John is a local resident and has been collecting and studying hummels for over 20 years. He has managed to accumulate a significant collection and has learned a lot along the way! He is happy to share all that he knows with each participant.

Click on the image below to watch an interview with John

2009-09-14T08:25:00.015-04:00

Introducing the Ersari Rug Weavers' Collection

The Decorators Choice

*****************

The right rug for the right price!

Click on rug to watch Part I of IV Videos

"Traditional Methods"

Featuring Dr.Vito Nicastro

The Ersari Rug Weavers of greater Persia have partnered directly with Dr. Vito Nicastro to bring to us the rugs that the decorators have come to appreciate for many reasons. This collection is considered the perfect marrage of the traditional methods with the best materials, techniques and weavers. The Ersari Collection offers a soft visual texture and is a clear alternative for today's decors!

The Ersaris are the largest tribe of the Turkmen people originating from Central Asia. They are a nomadic people and many have settled in Northern Afghanistan for hundreds of years now and are considered Master Weavers.

All of the wool is hand carded so that no fibers are broken. All of the yarn is hand spun so it is stronger and variegated for that soft, antique look.

All of the dyes are natural, derived from vegetal substances like indigo, madder root and pomegranate which are the most durable dyes as well as the most beautiful.

Watch These

Informative Videos

Featuring Dr. Vito Nicastro

Video Part II, "Economics"

Video Part III, "Options & Pricing"

Video Part IV, "Decor Made Easy"

2009-07-15T14:24:00.007-04:00

Wrentham Antiques Goes Video!

Have a look at the launch of our

VIDEO CAMPAIGN

as we seek to help our customers with their busy lives!

WATCH A TOUR OF OUR STORE

WATCH THIS VIDEO DESCRIPTION

Vintage Federal Style Gentleman's Chest

2009-06-28T00:05:00.018-04:00

Did You Know That We Provide:

Furniture Restoration Services!

Your furniture can look like our showroom furniture! We provide a cost effective solution for everything from "Do-it-yourself" furniture care products, cleaning and "spot finish repairs" all the way to complete rebuilding and refinishing...just like the furniture on our showroom floor!

**********************

WE EVEN DO HOUSE CALLS!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

MOTHER'S DAY IS SPECIAL

2009-04-29T09:17:00.015-04:00

It has been said,

"You could never give your mother as much as she gave you."

M. Brooks

Save up to 15% during our

Jewelry Extravaganza!

ONE DAY ONLY: Sunday, May 3rd from 12-5

You CAN, however, WOW her with a gift from Wrentham Antiques that is as unique and special as her. In addition to our extensive collection of fine jewelry we will have over 1,000 extra pieces of vintage and antique jewelry in our store. Our incredible selection includes; Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, 10,14 & 18 Karat gold, Genuine pearls, DIAMOND Jewelry, Designer jewelry, Gemstones of all types, Carved Ivory, Amber and enameled jewelry. There will also be a huge variety of costume jewelry that dates all the way back to the 1800's.

Come in to see our elegant offerings at affordable prices. Don't miss your chance to get the special women in your life something unique and extraordinary! And while you are here you might find something "just right" for yourself as well!

We Accept Quality Furniture Consignments & Other Objects of Value!

2009-04-22T11:14:00.015-04:00

WE INVITE YOU TO CONSIGN YOUR ANTIQUE AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNITURE WITH US!

EMAIL PICTURES TO: service@wrenthamantiques.com

We have helped homeowners, professional restorers and antiques dealers to sell their antique & vintage furniture as well as other unique objects of value for the last 20 years. We have created a community of sellers & buyers that are interested in the quality of each other's experience during every transaction. The sellers are committed to offering for sale items that the buyers can purchase with confidence, take home and display with pride. The buyers, over the course of years of repeat purchases, have come to appreciate the effort and knowlege that goes into the supply, reconditioning and display offered by the sellers.

Non-Profit Rugs: From Tibet to Wrentham!

2009-04-01T20:58:00.006-04:00

Wrentham Antiques Marketplace has been exhibiting hand-woven carpets for years but now they are adding new styles with a non-profit twist. For centuries rug weaving has been more than a craft in Tibet. It has been part of the culture. Now these peoples are turning carpet weaving into self-sufficiency by joining non-profit cooperatives that plow profits back into the community in the form of school building, reforestation, and arts projects. As they struggle for economic progress, they achieve something just as important to them: cultural survival.

They weave their own traditional designs with their tribal emblems and folkloric motifs. One of the most popular designs among Tibetan rugs is Gaon Naksha, or "Village Life" which is basically a look out the weaver's window through the weaver's eyes - a work of art that brings immediate contact with some of the most remote places and exotic cultures on earth. Our Gaon Nakshas are produced by Tibetans exiled in Nepal, who have built a Tibetan-language elementary school and cultural center with rug proceeds. They expanded the school with an organic greenhouse, launched a reforestation project inside Tibet (where some mountainsides have been clear-cut for lumber).

With a focus on women's initiatives, the rug proceeds supported the first-ever collection of contemporary Tibetan women’s' writing and the first-ever women's magazine for Tibetan women in Tibetan language.

Identify Your Elegant Glass of the Depression Era & Benefit the Local Food Bank!

2009-03-26T00:25:00.007-04:00

You are invited to attend a special event at Wrentham Antiques Center! Please join us for a showing of "Elegant Glass of the Depression Era" now through April 30th.

To kick off this promotion, Wrentham Antiques Marketplace on Rte. 1A in Wrentham, will have a special IDENTIFY YOUR GLASSWARE DAY to benefit the local food pantry on Sunday, March 29th from 12 to 4. (The pantry receives many donations at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but donations are greatly needed and appreciated at Easter, too!)

Ever wonder what the name of the pattern is of those fancy etched wine glasses your great aunt Myrtle left you? Now is your chance to find out. Here's how it works- just bring in a non-perishable food item to donate to the food pantry, and one CAREFULLY wrapped glass item from the late 1800’ss-1950's. We will do our best to look up the pattern and manufacturer for you!

We couldn't fly Gene Florence, Glass expert and Guru, in for the day, so we have the next best thing...our own in-house expert, Kim May will be on hand to meet and greet you with her personal collection of over 50 glassware identification books and her 35 years of experience! Refreshments will be served and there will be a raffle drawing of a silver tray with wine glasses and decanter, plus 2 gift certificates to local restaurants.!

Hope to see you there!

Wrentham Antiques Launches on EBAY!

2009-03-20T02:22:00.005-04:00

I know, I know...it's about time!

Check out we have posted on Ebay...RIGHT NOW!

Ok, so here it goes. We've seen an increase in the amount of and ease with which folks are buying furniture online. So, as part of our holistic, web-based marketing campaign we are now listing items for sale on EBAY! We have ongoing auctions and "Buy It Now" postings on all kinds of name brand quality items:

Paine Furniture Company
American Drew
Luce Furniture Company
Roseville Pottery
Haviland China
Haywood Wakefield
Derby
Sterling Silver Jewelry
Maddox of Jamestown, NY
Henkel Harris
Gouda Pottery
John Seymour of NY

...and there is much more to come!

The Peek-a-Boo Squares Were a BIG HIT!

2009-02-10T07:59:00.010-05:00

Kim May was thoughtful enough to bring a generous comliment of freshly baked, Peek-a-Boo Squares with her to the JEWELRY EVENT last weekend. They were light & flakey and just the right amount of sweet! Kim was also kind enough to hand out the recepie for those interested...and she ended up running out so here it is for your future enjoyment:

Peek-a-Boo Squares:
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla (substitute almond extract with cherry filling)
3 cups flour
1 can pie filling-cherry, blueberry, lemon or pineapple

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shorting and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time; beat well. Add vanilla and flour. Mix well. Spread 3/4 of dough onto an ungreased jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with low sides). Top with pie filling, spreading evenly over batter. Drop remaining batter by the teaspoonful over filling leaving spaces to create marbling effect. Bake 30-35 minutes.

Recepie note: This recepie is lovingly dedicated to Kim's sister, Kara Millis, who like these squares is "a blast from the past!"

Along with the now famous sqaures, there was a fantastic jewelry event that featured the likes of Mikimoto Pearls, signed Miriam Haskell pieces, Tiffiny & Company pins, various and very funky Bakelite bracelets and pins, an interesting collection of enamel pins, a stunning sterling, lapis stones and marcassites necklace, and a wide array of diamonds and gemstone bracelets, necklaces and rings to mention a few.

Featured Dealer... Kim May!

2009-02-04T09:23:00.018-05:00

Hi, I'm Kim May, featured dealer of the month at Wrentham Antiques Marketplace! I am a full time antiques dealer with 40 years experience selling antiques and collectibles through antique group shops in New England, but my BEST shop is Wrentham Antiques Marketplace.

I first visited the shop in 2000 and immediately signed up as a dealer on their waiting list.

Well, after some time went by, I went back and BEGGED for a space! "If you don't have a whole space for me, how about just a shelf for my jewelry?" I asked. They graciously found a small spot for me and I moved in on Dec. 3, 2002. I filled it with all kinds of antique jewelry at reasonable prices and was an instant hit with the customers! It wasn't long before a second shelf opened up, then a large case, and over the years I took on 2 floor spaces and a whole jewelry counter...and the rest, as they say, is history!

At Wrentham Antiques Marketplace, I carry sterling silver holloware, cut crystal, hatpins and hatpin holders, perfume bottles, art glass, elegant depression glass, silverplate, porcelain, and a smattering of totally eclectic items.

My specialty, true passion and expertise is in jewelry. I deal in all types of antique and vintage jewelry including , Victorian, Edwardian, fine jewelry, Art Deco, "Retro" pieces, Modernist silver, costume jewelry, designer signed pieces, enamels, bakelite, Mexican silver and sterling.

I look forward to meeting you at the JEWELRY EVENT to be held at Wrentham Antiques Marketplace on Sunday, February 8th from 12 -4!

I'm bringing all types of jewelry including my collection of over 100 stickpins to display for sale. We'll be offering free gift wrapping and complimentary refreshments! Also, don't miss the raffle drawings - no purchase necessary- for the chance to win a pair of 14k gold dangle earrings from my collection, a $25.00 gift certificate to WAM or a $15.00 Kim May Collection gift certificate.

I'm looking forward to meeting you this Sunday at Wrentham Antiques Marketplace!

Kim

We Thank The Lot Of You!

2009-01-30T20:08:00.012-05:00

We have been beating the bushes for several weeks since the holidays ravaged our inventory. No less than 50 pieces of furniture and only the Lord knows how many decorative accessories have come in since the end of December? Trucks, boxes and many footsteps have been the constant of the most recent days and weeks.

I know this may sound a bit contrary to what the media has been saying, but all you have to do is visit us on a weekend afternoon or a Tuesday morning...or, I guess, even a Thursday for that matter. I have some theories as to why we seem to be busier than most places I've been to or heard about, lately...

Maybe it's because of the "pent-up, post holiday, cabin fever, relative recession perspective, sick of that empty wall or corner, tired of newly made junk, just had to get out of the house, hate to leave the house so I better go now and get it over with...reason(s)?

It could just be the simple fact that when you arrive at our store we take a moment to say hello and smile? I don't mean to speculate on such matters of importance but as Kathy likes to say..."you just don't know when to stop!"

In any event, THANKS!

Find Sippican Cottage Furniture at Wrentham Antiques!

2009-01-11T10:44:00.002-05:00

CLICK HERE

OR

GO HERE, TODAY!

We look forward to seeing you!

A Season To Rejoice!

2008-11-10T15:16:00.011-05:00

OK, so here we are...in the throws of another holiday season! This one may feel a bit different, though? There seems to be a lot going on all around us. Consider just a few items of interest/concern:

The Economy, President Elect Obama, Bank Bailouts, Corporate Bailouts, Rule Bending in the Mortgage Industry, Global Fears of a Prolonged Recession, Layoffs, Hiring Freezes, Hope & Change, Wars and, Oh Ya, still no cure for the common cold! (for the last one try "Emergen-C" or "Air Born")

I'm not sure Olde St. Nick is going to get much press this year? I think he could use a little help in that department. Maybe a casual mention to a few close friends, a family member or two or a trusted co-worker? How about grabbing a friend and popping out for a weekend romp though your favorite...dare I say...antiques store? You never know what little action, multiplied by a few of those you know, could spark a momentous or even a seismic shift? You could even find something you've always wanted or even run into a big sale???

After all, as the old saying goes..."you just never know...?"

It's time we "bailed out" each other!

2008-10-09T12:34:00.011-04:00

Hello Friends,

WOW! Things look pretty bleak and scary out there, doesn't it? So, what are we going to do about it? Do you have a favorite rock under which we can all hunker down together???

NAAA!

OK, so we are running a store wide sale to help folks jump off the fence and make a decision. There are more than 50 people associated with our store that are contributing in the form of a discount to help in the cause. OK, enough about our store.

Let's get out and help each other in whatever small way we can. Things like a simple word of encouragement, carpooling and an occasional plug for an other's business. How about sending me your business's website address (use the link to the yahoo email address over on the right), an image and a wee blurb that I can post on this blog? How about prying a minute out of our extremely busy day to visit one of those businesses listed here (maybe for the first time) and buy a trinket or two? Just small things can add up and we could all use a little addition to our financial math equation about now.

Keep your chin up and never let'm see ya sweat!

Mass Tax Free Holiday Weekend!

2008-08-14T19:10:00.004-04:00

Hi Folks,
This weekend is it! MASS TAX FREE HOLIDAY WEEKEND is here, Saturday & Sunday August 16th & 17th! We are ramped up and ready with TRUCKLOADS of NEW ARRIVALS!
You may just want to pay the balance on a special order?

Sale Prices + Tax Holiday = MORE SAVINGS!

Items that arrived this week & Ready To Take Home:
Bedroom Sets
Desks
Bookcases
Mirrors
Lamps
Jewelry
Persian Rugs
Sippican Cottage Furniture
Old Wood Traditions Reproductions
ETC.

WE HAVE A GREAT SELECTION!
Come in and visit us and have your shot at "stiffing the state" while you save and have fun decorating your home.

We look forward to seeing you.

Great New Arrivals, Today!

2008-06-19T22:31:00.006-04:00

The June Store wide Sale Continues!

Save from 10-20%

I saw a bunch of tags with 25% + on them!

We just had 3 trucks dump a pile of fresh furniture on us! A few of the items:

Serpentine "Breakfront" Display Cabinet

Deco "Waterfall" Gentleman's Chest

Gilded "Over-The-Buffet" Federal Style Mirror

Mahogany Gentleman's Desk (suitable for the center, focal point of any room!)

As usual, all of these items have been either carefully reconditioned or completely restored and are ready for the most selective home.

So, come on in and say hello before you browse around and see just how much BETTER THAN EVER we are!
Thanks.

June Storewide Sale!

2008-06-05T13:57:00.010-04:00

Hi Folks!

Completely aside from the fact that we are having a

STOREWIDE SALE ALL THROUGH JUNE, WHERE YOU CAN SAVE FROM

10-20% OFF OF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE!!!

...and if you look close...there are quite a few 25% off tags, too!

(a little tip for our blog reading friends)

If you haven't been in for a while you really should come in to see us. We have a pile of new arrivals in the antique & vintage furniture section (which is really most of the store). We have changed the floor plan and rearranged a ton of the custom furniture into one large area. There are more Persian rugs than ever and Bev Ferguson has a very attractive display of her window treatments and upholstered wing chairs.

Antique & Vintage Funiture artfully displayed.

Custom Handcrafted Furniture that you design...with our help!

Persian Rugs by the truckload!

Bev Ferguson's Expert Touch!

So, come on in and visit us and see why everybody is telling us that

WE HAVE NEVER LOOKED BETTER!

Decorators Get It Done For You!

2008-05-07T18:06:00.013-04:00

Kathy and I would love for you to meet Beverly Ferguson. She will be available every 2nd Sunday from 1-4, for you to come and visit, chat and learn how she can apply her expertise to help you in your home!

Beverly Ferguson holds a degree in the Applied Science of Interior Design from Chamberlayne College, Boston (now part of Mt. Ida College) and is an internationally published fine artist. She has spent over 25 years refining her design and artistic skills; the result is a mastery over color which is extraordinary and an attention to detail second to none. Beverly is also an active ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Allied Member and an artist member of the prestigious Copley Society of Art.

Beverly will work with you at every stage to help you develop your personal expression of style. Her focus, comprehensive knowledge of design, and respect for individuality will bring your dreams to reality.

The Reflective Designer offers many different kinds of window treatments. Whether you are looking for the simple touch or a decorative swag to add some character to a room or the more elegant feel of formal drapery for a more sophisticated look, we have what you are looking for.

The Reflective Designer will surpass your expectations. We will provide you with courteous, attentive service and unmatched quality and value with a Best in Industry Extended Warranty and be sure to check out the latest promotion!

Reproductions Fit and Work...for YOU!

2008-05-02T12:01:00.010-04:00

It's a great thing to be able to have something that fits into your home and decor. Tradition may sway your preference toward an original, but application, availability and even affordability can dictate another course of action. The custom reproduction is what we have found to be the answer!

The custom Early American Reproduction has been our standard bearer for many years. Warren Chair Works (WCW) has lead the way, for us, for over a decade. They are keen to maintaining the techniques of old while adjusting to the functionality of today. WCW offers a wide range of size, wood type and finishing options in all of their handcrafted tables and cupboards. Their Windsor chair line compliments the need for a variety of color and style schemes.

Old Wood Traditions (OWT) has evolved into something of a counter culture of customization. Although the line began as a painted piece with a featured old board, it has, of late, become all about making an alternative to what many cannot find or would prefer not to accept. The classic painted furniture forms easily found in the common box and franchise retail national brand stores is made of inferior materials and with "quick-zip" joinery. These newer versions are being discovered for what they are obviously not and OWT has expertly filled that ever growing void!

PERSIAN RUGS, Handwoven Art and Value!

2008-04-17T16:16:00.013-04:00

Persian rugs are both a language and a world unto themselves. They can communicate distant ages and cultures to us. They are as diverse and complex as the people of those cultures. There are fine floral city rugs created by a team of professional design artists, dyers, spinners, weavers, and supervisors. There are village and tribal rugs woven by a mother and daughter simply sitting side by side in their home passing on their culture and tradition. Indeed, most handwoven rugs are made by women.

Each of the rugs you see here is completely handwoven, knot by knot, of pure Persian wool. In some cases, the wool has been handspun and the dyes made at home from natural recipes of herbs and minerals. Many rugs bear designs handed down for centuries, sometimes unique to that one tribe or village. They bear the choices of the weaver who combines colors, adds small birds or other designs, spaces the motifs, or even tucks in a miniature self-portrait somewhere. To do so, she plans the design rows ahead of where she is weaving, making these rugs both works of art and considerable feats of skill.

Now is the best time to buy an oriental in the last fifty years. From 1979-2001, the U.S.A. did not import rugs from Persia (Modern-day Iran). But for several reasons the Persians continued to produce and stockpiled a massive surplus. They were eager to sell and when the embargo ended in 2001 prices fell to a fraction of the historic average. Since then buying has been intense, causing prices to rise again, now reaching about half of the normal value. Also, since producers were accustomed to carry a surplus as a form of real estate, many of the rugs available now were produced years or even decades before the embargo, creating a situation where semiantique carpets are available without having been used, and at less than the cost to produce them today.

In Spite Of All That Taxes Us!

2008-04-16T15:21:00.009-04:00

WOW, what an April we are having! This isn't suppose to happen at TAX TIME! What are we doing to enjoy this most precious gift...the gift of sales. Are we suddenly more attentive, better organized or sporting a broader smile? Perhaps, we have been appointing our showroom with just the right selection of home furnishings and decorative accessories? Maybe I should just relax and enjoy the benefits for which so many others could not manage to hold out?

A good business means different things to different people. Some may associate "a good business" as one that only carries exactly what they want, like a green handled, 1930's spatula or slightly rotted, 6 board chest with snipe hinges and the original paint flaking off to the touch? Others may be impressed by a ginormous array of cut, crystal stemware and brass candlesticks (some push-ups and some converted pig scrapers) or 4 complete sets of 1920-40's mahogany bed room sets?

Whatever the perception of any particular person as to what makes "a good business" they all would likely agree that their favorite business needs to be there when they are ready to visit and do some heavy browsing, collecting and buying. Which leads me back to my original point. Thanks to all for this most unexpected and welcomed April. Because we, unlike all those shops that were unable to survive the last couple of years, have been blessed by the good graces of those who thought we happened to have exactly what they wanted!

What Was That...Salt?

2008-04-07T23:38:00.010-04:00

I was eating a potato chip and began to savor the way in which my taste buds reacted with glee. When the sumptuous flavor finally gave way to reality it was obvious that the oil and salt content was the culprit. What made it taste so delicious was the very thing that we’re all told is so bad! Well, that led to my thinking about the 1700’s & 1800’s and how important salt was to their diet. A day didn’t go by when you didn’t take in something with a high salt content. Back then, a day without salt was a day of risk and recklessness. What was not cured by salt was fresh and fresh was only available during a few months of the year.

Now, however, every time my kids pick up the salt shaker I admonish them for doing irreparable and lasting harm to themselves and our healthcare system. Yet, as I recall, while sitting with my back so straight at the Sunday dinner table at Grand mama’s house, there were these curious, tiny little crystal bowls. These bowls were always filled with salt. Each place setting had one of these tiny little bowls and placed just beyond the silver. I remember dipping my pinky into the salt and tasting the broad and tingling joy that spread from the tip of my tongue all the way to each side.

I guess it has taken quite a while for we moderns to wean ourselves off of the familiar salt hook? Now, there are tributes remnant of a saltier times. They come with names like salt cellars, salts and salt shakers. Made of sterling, pewter, cut crystal and blown glass. We sell hundreds each year to the wandering, voracious collectors. Those who may well have given up on collecting the occasional antique stove or anvil and have turned to a more portable, less arduous category. For we who are the purveyors of such, consider these collectors the very pillars of the industry. For they are among the few that continue in the traditions of old and in their own small way keep the torch lit for at least one more generation.

Replica vs. Reproduction?

2008-04-02T23:04:00.007-04:00

Which would you rather have, a replica or a reproduction? In fact, what is the difference and why would one prefer one over the other? Well, in my usual, pliable and oft safe, answer…it depends…I am, in this case, being advisedly cautious. When referring to furniture, especially the broadly and overused classification of reproduction furniture, there exists those who choose one, yet receive another.

To reproduce a piece of Early American Furniture serves the majority as a far more functional option. To narrowly adhere to the needed confines of a replica may well overlook a more, modern functionality. The deeper drawer, a wider table or pine verses chestnut just to mention a few. Then there is the constraint of acceptable cost associated with the careful attention to detail. The chamfered drawer, the hand cut dovetail and the hardwood peg. The thought of a replica is enough for most and hardly achievable for the lofty standards of a few. But, they both play an important role in the preservation of an historic trend here in America.

Many simply prefer what appears to be as well as what is accessible and affordable. Well, that is: Especially when they are on sale!!! The upward leap from reproduction to replica can be a mighty one especially for a frugal Yankee like me. Likewise, the step down can be just as unacceptable and unthinkable. However, for the upper 2%, anything less than authentic could cause a permanent case of disorientation and render them a recluse. Well, “to each his own I say!” Just be sure to call us when you decide to join the ranks of the happy, reproduction owning cast of millions. Because that’s what we do and we’re darn good at it!

…Turning decorating into a fun experience!

2008-03-27T15:28:00.004-04:00

Think about the house you live in, hundreds perhaps thousands of square feet of blank canvas. Now think about the last time you pondered filling those spaces with beautiful fabrics and color only to be faced with a veritable sea of choices. “So many choices, too many choices” you said, dashing out of the store breaking a cold sweat and your heart pounding. Who among us hasn’t been there? All of those choices don’t have to be so intimidating, we have a way to make your decorating projects fun filled and without stress.

On March 30th we are presenting a unique opportunity, we will be hosting a trunk show by Beverly Ferguson of Exciting Windows by The Reflective Designer. You may know Beverly as the brilliant local color expert whose work is the buzz of Metro West and who now has turned her talent and expertise to full decorating and design services.

What’s a trunk show? A decorating trunk show is an easy, casual and hands-on presentation of new styles, trends and fashions. We will show you how to connect with your personal style and how easy it can be with Beverly’s guidance to fill your home with warmth and comfort. We will handle beautiful fabrics, draperies, trims…see the newest and latest…there will be prizes, and there will be the opportunity to win a $10,000 room makeover by HDTV’s Michael Payne of Designing for The Sexes. Refreshments will be served so bring a friend along for a fun and relaxing afternoon of entertainment!

Has anyone seen my old Buggy Whip?

2008-03-24T16:40:00.004-04:00

It’s like glancing over your shoulder while shuffling down a familiar street. You tend to notice those things that have always been there like the trees, houses a couple of trash cans at the end of a driveway. Even when something common to the memory like a car or a bird moves you hardly notice. Then you stop dead in your tracks and begin to pay attention. Its then that you finally realize that things have changed right under your nose! There isn't anyone outside. The yards and sidewalks are all empty and there isn't even a sound. People have changed the way they think and act and as a business it means adapt or die!

Just like the buggy whip business was rendered obsolete by the automobile, the internet has rendered the old, tedious method of shopping nearly obsolete. Yes, there appears to be a few holdouts but for the most part consumers are behaving in a whole new way and for those of us who have noticed its time to throw out the old and embrace the new! If the internet isn’t a big part of your business strategy, then, I wish you well as I turn the corner to shuffle down the next street.

“…this is the best way to choose a Persian Rug!”

2008-03-17T12:20:00.009-04:00

Imagine, a crew coming to your home, moving the living room, dining room and, or family room furniture and placing one Persian Rug after another and one more beautiful than the last? Just think how perfect a process that would be to never have to lift a single rug. How would it feel to take whatever time you need to ponder each rug that you have carefully selected from our inventory of hundreds of Fine Persian Rugs? Can you even imagine?

When our customers have completed their selections at our store, viewed a number of options and made a choice right in their own homes, they always call us the next day to thank us for the “most incredible and efficient buying experience” in which they have ever participated! They “can’t believe how much fun they had” and “how much they learned in the process” and from now on they “feel far less intimidated and confused about Persian Rugs!”

For us, the best part is when they can’t wait to tell their friends…and for that, we thank each and every one of our satisfied customers!

Do We Shop Locally?

2008-03-16T01:05:00.007-04:00

I woke up today filled with questions! Think for a moment where we tend to shop. Do we know if we tend to shop local, regional, national or international? Do we know where the things we buy come from? How they arrive in our hands? Are we aware that as an active member of economics 101 the “where and how” we shop shapes the world in which we live? Is it possible that we have at least some control of our local destiny?

For years we have been carrying on a national dialog about the effects of the “Global Economy!” We engage in populist speak and toss about references to NAFTA, the WTO and the IMF, etc. We carry on like Jekyll & Hyde with our discomfort over how another local factory has moved to China or the corner clothing boutique just closed without giving us proper notice. On the one hand, we feel a bit unsettled about it. On the other hand, we push it a little deeper. We push it past the horizon of our immediate sense of urgency as though we need to accept the inevitable.

What happens, years from now, when we look back? Will we see the local community that attracted us to move away from more familiar environs or the once reviled hometown? Is it possible that the local shops we blindly drive by today will become impossible to avoid as we can’t help but notice how many are gone? What if, for the next few days, we just count the number of locally, owned and operated shops as we drive through our daily grind? If we merely count them today, will we be able to count on them being there tomorrow?

What exactly is an antique, anyway?

2008-03-14T03:34:00.000-04:00

So, you look at it and it seems old. Then you have a closer look. You open the drawer, you see the “dovetail” joints, the solid wood box…and wow, they even dovetailed the back of the drawer frame! Next thing you know, you have the drawer out and flipping it around to scan the bottom. Then, you’re straining your neck to see the shadowy interior while looking for some sure sign that this is as old as you think…or hope.

How and who defines what an antiques is, anyway? How do we know what the standard is and who it is that holds sway on this standard by which we all anticipate our next glorious find? The best answer I have ever heard is…”well, it depends!” It depends on who you ask? To waltz through most shops, you’d think your old sneakers were a candidate and the gum stuck to the underside of that brass ‘n glass coffee table was a sure sign of patina.

According to the politically correct, US Customs antiques are defined as “something older than any living person.” I’ll bet a few of you just settled with a slightly longer than normal exhale? I heard the Keno Brothers won’t call anything younger than 1803 an antique. Many a weary wanderer on their way to this May's Brimfield Show has suggested 1830 was the absolute cut off. Yet, mass production didn’t get fully under way until the very late 1800’s.

Irrespective of all of those capable purists, I find the 1940’s a far more convenient, profitable and therefore acceptable date range. In fact, were it not for all of that wonderfully constructed early 1900’s mahogany, we would, for most of our past 18 years been forced to sell only small pieces of encrusted wood. We may well have been inclined to call ourselves something like Wrentham Vintage Marketplace or Wrentham “sure we have a few “ Antiques Marketplace or better yet, Wrentham “Just buy it because it’s made well and you like it” Marketplace!

Business/Connections/Life

2008-03-10T09:13:00.000-04:00

We pass by each other and occasionally we may connect. Through retail, we meet many, many people and are able to make a lot of connections. In fact, we meet so many people it can be difficult to make connections beyond the most basic level. However, when you have been in business for nearly 20 years, the repeat nature of our connections offers us the chance to have them grow into something more substantial, something deeper and even, more human.

Our staff often finds themselves engaged in conversations about our customer’s lives. We discuss each other’s families, their past, personal experiences and many other fascinating areas of discovery. Through this deeper connection we are able to foster a sense of trust and appreciation for them, for those we have yet to meet, and vice versa. As important as sales are to any business there is another, very important need fulfilled when making long term connections, indeed relationships. We place our finger on the pulse of the human experience and may even discover a bit about why we are in business to begin with…to play a positive and contributing role in the life of those around us and in the life we all live!

Kathy says “Relax” when choosing your rug!

2008-03-09T10:45:00.001-04:00

After going to so many homes, and helping my friends choose rugs, I suggest that when you come into our store, choose the rug that moves you, that appeals to you, that speaks to you. Don’t worry so much about matching the furniture, wallpaper, curtains, china, pillows, etc., etc.. The rug you love will probably find enough resonance with the other things you love for it to create balance and harmony. After all, when judging each thing you have chosen, they have probably added to the overall, visual pleasure that you and others find in your home. So, simply trust your instincts and allow your unique personality to be free to enjoy the sanctuary that you call home.

Furniture’s Black Hole in Our Heritage

2008-03-08T07:53:00.001-05:00

At least three times a day, as I meander through our store, I marvel at the inherent beauty of those pieces of furniture designed and made so long ago. Now, keep in mind, I’m not talking about 200 years ago. Things changed big time in the late 1950’s. That’s when the post war machine began to gear up to meet the insatiable demand of a rapidly growing and prosperous nation. Ultimately, from that point, there was no turning back!

Joinery techniques had to be reduced to the lowest common denominator. Simplicity for speed’s sake and streamlining costs began to rule the day and inevitably, by the mid 60's, caused the beginning of the end for craftsmanship. What once took two guys a weeks to create, eventually, could be made, shipped and returned for defects in just two to three days. The new "slap and ship" furniture is sure to leave a gapping hole in a long stretch of world history. How many cultures' heritage will be without a link to the past…that is, without having to climb one of those mounds at the landfill?
Perhaps we will learn to compensate with stories? Stories that will leapfrog over an historic black hole and recall the craftsman of old? Or perhaps, we’ll have to craft new stories as time passes and the memory grows dim as we leave another two year old piece out on the lawn for the local frat house member's next great find?

Rug Magic

2008-03-07T08:21:00.000-05:00

This past week has been the week of rug magic. Every house call we went on was an example of how rugs have the power to brighten a room. It makes sense: you are bringing a huge color field into the room. Imagine if you hung a painting in the room the size of your floor!
In each case, our customers came in to scan the selection and choose their favorites. Then we brought the selections to their homes so they could actually see how the rugs changed their rooms. For me the most exciting part is the surprises: the color of walls and fabrics draw certain accents out of the rug so that in a way the room changes the rug too!

Handcrafted Furniture vs. MDF

2008-03-06T19:25:00.000-05:00

Someone asked me the other day why most of the new furniture being offered today was so inexpensive. At first, all I could think to say was that it had to be inexpensive just so people would feel compelled to buy it! I guess that’s a bit cynical, but there seems to be a thread of truth in it. After all, why would anyone buy a piece of furniture that you can’t even burn without a hazmat suit?

Today’s furniture is, for the most part, made of what is called “MDF” or Medium Density Fiberboard. Its basically ground up dust reconstituted into a shape with a bit of color added. Although that may not sound like the type of new purchase you will want to invite your mother-in-law over to see so you can brag and show off your refined sense of taste, it could prove to be advantageous. For example, when the drawer face falls off because you slammed it shut while trying to hide the bon bons from your 4 year old, you simply go online and order the replacement. Providing, of course, that the style is still in vogue, or even in production, you can have that shiny piece delivered right to your door and as long as it arrives without any crate rub or a loose leg you won’t have to send it back.

And then I remembered what my neighbor paid for that brown hunk of MDF he proudly placed in front of the couch, where no matter how one tried, you could see it from almost everywhere in the house. As I recall, it caused him to wince at the mention of the price and it cost me an honest moment with my hapless neighbor!

Welcome To Wrentham Antiques!

2008-03-05T22:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Wrentham Antiques, the weblog for Wrentham Antiques Marketplace. Visit our showplace at 513 South Street (RT 1A) in Wrentham Mass and see our enormous selection of quality antiques and fine reproductions by makers like Sippican Cottage Furniture, Warren Chairworks, and of course our own line of Old World Traditions. Browse our selection of beautiful Persian rugs and decorative accessories too. Drop by today!