Collect Antiques

Just because a violin is antique doesn't make it quality. Identify a quality antique violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.

Polyurethane is a sturdy synthetic varnish that dates to the 1950s. If you own an older wood antique that was refinished with polyurethane, you may wish to replace the modern varnish with an authentic…

Antique glass or silver salt and pepper shakers require special care while cleaning so they stand out against other tableware. With a few simple household items, you can easily remove the layers of…

Silverfish are small, flat insects that commonly infest homes, particularly in humid areas. Although they are not dangerous to humans, they eat starchy materials and often damage or discolor antique…

At the turn of the 20th century, soapstone was often used in the eastern United States for countertops and sinks. Its popularity declined by the 1920s as lighter and less costly materials came into…

An antique Victorian chair can add a touch of elegance to a living room. Victorian furniture from the early 1800s to the turn of the 20th century featured wood frames in mahogany, walnut, rosewood or…

Whether you're pulling together family heirlooms for your wedding day or decorating with vintage curtains, you may have noticed the items need some freshening up. Antique cotton lace is just as…

An antique center chimney fireplace is the focal point of many older homes. The chimney may serve several fireplaces located throughout the home as well as a built-in oven. Popular during colonial…

When you're decorating your home to look older than it is, paint glazes and techniques can give your walls the look of aging plaster walls. Paint glazes can give your modern drywall an antique look.…

Both walnut and oak are solid, hard woods that have long been used for quality furniture. As they are both fairly dark when old and were often used during the same periods, the two woods are not…

Refinishing a piece of antique furniture can change the value of the piece in a negative way, so you need to take every precaution to not remove all of the imperfections that make the piece…

Antique and vintage jewelry is beautiful and unique but sometimes needs a little TLC to be wearable. Modern beading wire is much stronger and more flexible than the fine chain or string that was used…

Glascock Stove and Manufacturing Company began in Greenville, North Carolina, in 1873. This company made a variety of wood stoves and heaters until the 1960s, when the foundry closed. The Carolina…

Antiques can appeal to people on many levels. They typically have aesthetic qualities or craftsmanship lacking in modern furniture. Antiques can also provide historical, cultural and personal…

Restoring antique wood panels freshens the look of the ceiling and helps ensure the panels last a long time. These panels are available in many designs. They provide a country, formal or classic look…

Home libraries can be as simple as a single shelf of much-loved favorites or as lavish as a millionaire's multiroom collection. One thing they have in common is that to visitors, they are a visual…

Although Margarete Steiff started her family company in 1880, the Steiff bear was not “born” until 1902. Margarete’s birth in 1847 near Ulm, Germany, was followed by a high fever the…

Cottage furniture has a charm all its own. Mix and match pieces, often painted white or in a pale tint, add a touch of casual romance to your home. An important aspect of cottage style is shabby chic…

Yellow ware, a type of pottery most often seen in bowls and molds, gets its color from the clay manufacturers used to make the pieces. Yellow ware has been produced since in the 1800s, but even pieces…

The Movado watch company was established in Switzerland in 1881. While the company continues to manufacture watches, the original Movado wind up watches were all crafted by hand. Due to the handmade…

Collecting antiques can be a fulfilling hobby, providing great investment potential as well as possible financial rewards, if you ever decide to sell your collection. Crystal antiques come in every…

Wrought iron fences were common in the early 1900s, but they fell out of use in favor of less expensive materials. If you have found an antique iron fence, the installation process is very similar to…

In many stately homes or historic buildings, the original stairs connecting the first and second floors include a leather runner that runs the whole length of the stairs, preventing the wood beneath…

Antique flip top desks have lids that you lift up to store items underneath. Rods that lock into position or that have a hinge that locks into place are what hold up the lid. It was common for antique…

For a one of a kind look, antiques are hard to beat. While anyone can go down to a chain furniture store and pick up a new table or chair, antiques and vintage pieces are truly unique. Antiques also…

Antique electric clothes irons are often found in resale shops, thrift stores and vintage goods stores. No matter how good or bad the outside looks, it's important to inspect, test and sometimes…

Grime, built-up furniture polish and oxidizing old varnish can eventually combine to dull the finish of furniture. If the piece is a treasured or valuable antique, you can't use just any method to…

Restoring an antique roll-top desk can seem like a major project for some, and although structural repairs involving damaged wood or legs are best left to a professional, restoring the finish of an…

The process of valuing an antique can be broken down into three stages: identifying exactly what the antique is, assessing its condition and researching its current price. However, bear in mind that…

Many antique chairs have button tufting in the upholstery. Whether you want to redo an antique chair or add tufting to a chair, button tufts can add to the aesthetics of your home décor. While…

Antique bottles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and can posses a unique and nostalgic charm not found on modern bottles. Rather than keeping this elegant gem on a shelf, you may enjoy…

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is prone to tarnishing. Antique brass hinges are usually protected by a coat of lacquer, which helps them maintain their color and luster. Over time, the coat…

A beautifully restored antique chair comes with a hefty price tag. One way to save money is to search flea markets and garage sales for a bargain. The trouble here is that often these pieces will be…

Antique Chinese furniture has a lacquer finish, not only for protecting the wood and wood stain but also to provide a soft polished finish that’s difficult to achieve with waxes or other finish…

If you have a kitchen or bathroom that hasn't been updated for the 40 years or so, you may be all too familiar with drawers that just won't close the way you want them to. The development of…

Washstands were traditionally used to house all the trappings necessary to take a bath, from the wash basin to soaps and towels. The washstand has evolved into the modern day bathroom vanity, but…

When restoring an antique vehicle, repainting the engine can seem like a daunting task. However, a professional paint job done by an auto shop can be expensive, so you may want to repaint the engine…

Lending an old world look to your home, antique mirrors exude charm and elegance. Over time your mirror may begin to collect dust and will need to be cleaned. Many commercial products and cleaners can…

If the furniture in your house leans toward a shabby chic style, the tin accessories should match. Including bright and shiny new tin in an otherwise vintage-styled house results in a mismatched look.…

Charles Kohler and John Calvin Campbell began building pianos together in the late 1800s. One of their most popular models throughout the 20th century was the upright (a vertical piano), which was…

Antique fishing reels make decorative items for your home. Their antique appearance offers a vintage feel, which you can use to embellish any type of interior motif. Whether you want to reserve the…

Reupholstering an antique sofa is an inexpensive way to revitalize a structurally sound, precious piece so it can be used again. Although a novice can recover any piece of furniture successfully,…

Antique wall phones develop a “patina” resulting from years of cleaning, polishing and exposure to air. The patina adds a soft luster to the wood and needs protection from harsh chemicals…

With the right materials, you can give a Masonite door an antiqued appearance. Masonite specializes in fiberglass and metal doors for the interior and exterior of homes and offices. The materials in…

Rattan is a type of wicker, similar to bamboo or reed furniture. Antique pieces use rattan on the seat of chairs and couches, or as a covering over a metal base. Fixing a piece of antique rattan…

If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon very old dishes at a garage sale, or possibly in your grandmother’s cupboard, it can be worth taking the time to determine if they are antiques. True…

If you are looking for a touch of elegance, an antique wall mirror can provide just the right touch. But before you get your checkbook and go shopping, you need to learn as much as you can about the…

If you love the look of old furniture, you could fill your home with costly and fragile antiques. Or you could save yourself some money and make newer furniture look old. Antiquing modern furniture…

Cut glass refers to glass objects, usually household items, that were hand-decorated with fixed patterns. Artisans accomplished this painstaking task by holding a piece of shaped glass against a…

Antiquing the wood gives the piece a worn look, similar to what you find on real antiques. When giving furniture an antique look, apply a coat of polyurethane over your work. Polyurethane adds a…