Save Some Green by Going Green… Buy Vintage!

The combination of a weak economy and more people “going green” by recycling has proven to be a catalyst for many interior designers and homeowners to seek less expensive and “greener” alternatives for decorating and enhancing homes. Additionally, average stock market investors are seeking alternative venues for investing.

Some may argue that investing hard-earned money in something other than the highly volatile stock market is a safer way to invest these days.

With the increased emphasis on going green, the resale market for antiques and vintage goods, such as art, books, jewelry and even photography, is becoming as liquid as investing in stocks. The difference is that most antiques are a “sure thing”. The older they get, the more valuable they become (barring damage). Thus, one stands a good chance of “buying low” at a Flea Market or Antiques Shop today, and “selling high” for two reasons: one, simply because one would sell in the future, aging all the more in the process, and 2) the investor has garnered use from the item during its ownership, unlike a virtual stock certificate which offers little use, if any.

Certainly, there is no sure-fire way to ensure that one’s choices in antiques investments will appreciate and pay off in the future, but right now, it’s easy to make the argument it probably can’t be worse than investing in the stock market. The choice to purchase items that have been salvaged or repurposed as something else offers the additional benefit of helping the environment by recycling and keeping things out of landfills.

There are many area flea markets and mom-and-pop antiques shops in the Northern Virginia area, as well as periodic antiques festivals where one can shop and not spend a lot of money. The upcoming Aldie Antiques Market, in Aldie, Virginia is one such place. This once-monthly flea market, which is sponsored in part by Bella Villa features many dealers and reasonable prices, but the best part is that it is a place where one can find some quality merchandise, often American or European in origin.

Normally held on the second Saturday of each month from 9 am to 5 pm, the Aldie Antiques Market this month is being held on Saturday October 18, 2008 in conjunction with the Aldie Harvest Festival. Aldie Day is a fifty-year-old celebration that attracts more than 3000 people annually and consists of many attractions for the entire family, including children’s games, live music and food.

Admission is free and $5 donation for parking will go to charity. In addition to antiques and collectibles, the festival will also feature 100 artisans selling pottery, jewelry, handcrafted items and art, so it is a great place to do some shopping for investment purposes, while saving money and “going green” by recycling.

This article was a collaborative effort by Rosanna Smith and Marc Cortes. Rosanna Smith is the co-owner of the very popular and highly successful Bella Villa, located in Aldie, Virginia. She also sponsors the Aldie Antiques Market, a monthly antiques and vintage collectibles Market. Marc Cortes is the publisher and webmaster of the NOVA-Antiques Newsletter and NOVA-Antiques Blog. Both of which are dedicated to help bring news articles, stories and information regarding antiques and collectibles to the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

Decorating in the Shabby Chic Style

Shabby Chic was first mentioned in an article in The World of Interiors Magazine in the 1980’s and then was popularized by designer Rachel Ashwell in the 1996 in a book by the same name. This style of decorating uses heavily painted antique or vintage furniture that is then rubbed or sanded to make them look distressed, worn and old. Most of the items are usually painted white, mint green, pink and aqua colors. Accessories also accent the décor.

Most of the accessories used to compliment the shabby looking furniture are vintage linens and bedspreads, antique chandeliers and feminine looking fabrics, usually containing roses or other flowers. Other fabric including chintz or barkcloth and sometimes people stain their fabrics to make them look older than they really are. The look can be very elegant, inviting and romantic in the right room. Shabby Chic is sometimes called cottage.

There are many places to pick up items to start your shabby chic decorating. If you are handy, have the workspace and have the ability to do it yourself, you can pick up many items at antiques flea markets, garage sales or estate sales and transform them into the shabby chic style. If you would rather not, there are many shabby chic dealers, boutiques and shops where you can find affordable pieces for your home. In the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia metro area, there are a few shops that specialize in shabby chic décor including, Bella Villa Home Furnishings in Aldie, Virginia, Sarah Jean Décor in Purcellville, Virginia and The Cottage Room in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

There are many places on the Internet as well where you can get shabby chic items, probably too many to mention in this article. The pictured poster by artist Mary Elizabeth can be purchased at All Posters.