Posts Tagged ‘Vintage’:

Top Ten Holiday Items Found at Estate Sales

Here in southern California with our “wonderful” weather (could we get some rain please!) it’s a bit hard to tell that we’re only days away from Halloween. Retail stores are already selling Christmas decor and soon lights will be strung and fake snow will be precisely placed at all of our shopping centers. It’s an expensive time of year with the decorating, gift giving, party throwing we all love to do so much! 

I start noticing about now all the items we’re selling at estate sales that can help decorate your homes, and the unique gifts that can be found, and all the money that can be saved just by shopping second hand. It’s no different than any other time of year but considering how much we actually “need” to get us through the holiday season estate sales are a great way to save where you can. 

My list of the top ten things you can find at estate sales for the holiday’s. 

1. Serve Ware – not every sale can have practically brand new serving dishes but if you look hard I bet you can find a moving sale with contemporary Crate and Barrel (or some other house goods store) serving pieces. We had an entire kitchen full of contemporary items at our recent Woodland Hills estate sale

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2. Vintage China – But if you’re just as happy with vintage china to round out your table setting then just follow the next estate sale sign you see and I’m willing to bet you’ll find a little something. Alternatively you could scour the photos of estate sales through websites like estatesales.net or estatesales.org and find just what you’re looking for. 

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3. Christmas Ornaments / Decor – This time of year estate sale companies are using that key word term “Christmas” (alternatively; Thanksgiving / Hanukkah) to help you find the stuff you’re looking for. Just simply visit those websites mentioned above and use the search function to determine which sales you’ll be visiting the next time you’re out. 

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4. Books – A great gift for just about anyone on your list! A coffee table book or well chosen novel can stand alone as a gift or compliment another thoughtful (read: inexpensive) gift. Estate sale companies sell books at tremendously good prices compared to what they cost new. We ask $1 for paperback, $3 for hardback, and $5 + for coffee table style books. Unless they are a first printing or super rare you shouldn’t receive much sticker shock. 

5. Jewelry – If you didn’t visit us at our Cheviot Hills estate sale two weeks ago then you missed one killer jewelry sale but don’t worry most estate sale companies offer at least some jewelry selection. We don’t adhere to the practice but some even bring jewelry into their sales. Jewelry is a great gift for any lady (and some men) on your holiday gift list. You can’t return items you purchase at estate sales but if you pay attention to your loved ones style I’m sure you can pick out a lovely piece. 

6. Linens – Vintage table linens are such amazing quality compared to a lot of what we are offered for “reasonable” prices at stores today. I don’t know if people didn’t use their linens or it’s just because I don’t live in a world of ironing, but they always seem so new; perfectly folded, not a wrinkle in sight! Having a large sit-down gathering? Try mixing it up by placing the table cloth on one table and using the matching napkins at another table. They also pair wonderfully with contemporary designs. 

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7. Vases / Candlesticks – Take your party to the next level with a lovely flower arrangement and well scattered candles. A great thing about estate sales is they can help you get creative, sure you can find traditional vases of all shapes, sizes, and styles. But why not think outside the box? Bowls, ice buckets, even glasses can make a special floral arrangement. Not sure you have what it takes to create something spectacular? I think you’re wrong and so do the people at Real Simple. Check out these directions for easy flower arrangements

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8. Baskets – Now that you’re determined to gather a few “thoughtful” items for your friends and family keep your eyes peeled for baskets. I feel like we see baskets all the time and you don’t need me to tell you how perfect they are for containing all of that holiday splendor you’re giving this season.

9. Wrapping paper / Stationary – In the same vein as baskets is wrapping paper and stationary – I see it all the time! Vintage stationary has such a fun vibe and OMG is it cheap! The graphics on this stuff is really too good and if you find yourself an estate sale where truly everything is for sale, you’re bound to find stationary and / or wrapping paper. Take the time to dig through those boxes in the office and garage and something is bound to entice you. 

10. Stemware – Please don’t pass up stemware at estate sales! It’s this time of year that you’re going to start kicking yourself for the $20 set of crystal wine goblets you passed up two months ago at that very awesome Los Angeles estate sale! For that price you could (maybe) buy two wine glasses at Crate and Barrel

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There you have it – ten items you should scour estate sales for this holiday season. I wish you the best of luck! And please, if you have other suggestions about what to look out for share it with us here in the comments section. 

10.28.14
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A great photographer… and she loved to shop!

Our next estate sale is in the Cheviot Hills area of Los Angeles, for those who don’t know it’s central. Think the neighborhood between Century City and Culver City. A wonderful little pocket where our clients lived for over fifty years! That’s 5-0, talk about commitment! Can you just imagine the wonderful things we are uncovering while working our butts off to get this estate sale ready for all of you!? It’s exciting. 

The lady of the house was an amateur photographer and dare I say professional shopper. Her personal vibe was 100% ethnic, there are so many amazing vintage caftans and tribal print clothing. The jewelry case at this one is nothing like we’ve ever had, 100’s upon 100’s of pieces of sterling silver (sorry guys we’re not selling anything for melt value), loads of Navajo pieces, some Danish pieces; cuffs, pendants, clip-on earrings, brooches, and more. There are turquoise pieces and some jade! I’m telling you, this stuff is sooooo good. 

And we’re so lucky that we get to sell some of her wonderfully mounted photographs too! She really had an eye for composition and wasn’t shy about taking photos of natives while traveling… which they did a lot of. You guys are going to love this stuff!! You’ll also find a whole bunch of ephemera they acquired while traveling to South America, Africa, and other exciting regions.  

Maybe the love of shopping came from the fact that the man of the house started one of the first mail order catalogs. Hey, we have a bunch of fun, quirky, items that came from that catalog as well!! 

And for all of you book lovers this is a couple that loved to read! There are hundreds of books including some (read: tons of) first editions. 

Any textile hoarders may have found the mecca for table linens at our LA estate sale. You’re welcome! 

Check out the listing page for more information about this awesome estate sale. 

 

10.8.14
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Small & Good

What happens when people with a love for quality, designer, vintage move or redesign their home? They call us, the people who host estate sales, estate sale companies, and we love to oblige. It’s not often that we host sales that are not complete estates but the stuff was too good and the owner who I met when I visited this Brentwood home a few weeks ago has way to much style for me not to sell her stuff. I just wanted to help because I know some of my followers are going to be super excited by some of the finds. So this weekend we’re hosting a smally but goody estate sale. 

Think Modernica case study desk, Like-a-Bike, Little Marc Jacobs, and Prada for the ladies, Rosenthal for Illy espresso cups,  and OMG those gorgeous J. Baekmark dining chairs!!!

We’re also bringing a whole slew of vintage lithographs and serigraphs from a different client – stuff you’ve never seen before, I promise! Vintage 60’s spin art too. 

See this estate sale listing page for more information. 

9.25.14
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Two Los Angeles Estate Sales, One Fabulous Weekend

This weekend is going to be awesome for attending a Succor estate sale! You have two estate sales in Los Angles proper to choose from and they are only the Sepulveda Pass away from one another. It really won’t take you more than a quick fifteen minutes to get from one to the other and both are 100% worth attending! 

Visit us our Bel Air estate sale if you’re looking to add a bit of whimsey to your home decor. Think antique postal wall and carousel horses. Fun!! Sneak peak photos by checking out my favorite pieces on our blog. Or visit the listing page for a detailed list. 

The Tarzana estate sale is full of name brand crystal, china, collectible figures among some designer quality furniture. Think Baccarat, Gucci (home ware), Stuben, Royal Doulton and more. Plus a stunning bar! To see how much our client paid for said bar check out my blog post. For more details about what you’ll find in this estate sale the listing page is for you. 

We hope to see you at BOTH LA estate sales this weekend!! 

8.19.14
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My Favorite Things – Estate Sale in Tarzana

Come to this Tarzana estate sale prepared to spend time! The house is packed full of really nice stuff and it’s apparent that the family loved to entertain. The home interior was designed by a professional and you’ll find interior designer quality furniture, including a gorgeous Mikhail Loznikov acrylic dining room table and a bar our client spent $50,000 on (I was sold when I saw the brass sink!). 

Don’t forget the holiday’s are around the corner and you’ll be looking for good entertainer items soon. You’ll get better quality with designer names attached at cheaper prices when you come to this Tarzana estate sale – start hoarding for the holidays!! 

For more information about this Tarzana estate sale check out the listing page


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