On the Scene with Huntsville EVENT
On the Scene with Huntsville EVENT
Frank Crafts of Frank’s Good Stuff talks all things antique
How do you use antiques in your holiday decor?
I have a soft spot in my heart for vintage Christmas decor and the memories that each item holds. I love the use of vintage Shiny Brite and German mercury glass ornaments on the tree, and I line the candlesticks on my mantel with Shiny Brite tree toppers instead of candles. I’m also a sucker for the old plastic garlands that florists made popular in the 1960’s and 70’s, I like to drape them over every mirror in my home. I also have a vintage nativity in almost every room downstairs. In my upstairs guest bedrooms, I put a ceramic Christmas tree by each bedside to add a warm nightlight to each bedroom. In my kitchen, I pepper vintage figural candle holders, salt and pepper shakers and Japanese holiday figurines on all of the shelves of my kitchen, and I love vintage holiday linens in the bathrooms.
What are the hottest trends in holiday decorating?
One of the most sustained trends in holiday decor is the use of vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and tree toppers from the 1940’s & 1950’s on your tree, in garlands, as wreaths, or displayed in silver, brass or crystal vessels or even on the tops of your favorite candlesticks. At Frank’s we have one of the largest collections of vintage ornaments in the country. Religious artifacts, statuary, nativities, ornaments, artwork, and books are extremely popular this season and we have a lovely collection from which to choose at Frank’s. Finally, holiday decor from the mid-century – particularly from the 60’s and 70’s is in big demand this year, and our customers are really enjoying finding these treasures in the “Mod Pod” section of our store.
How do you advise incorporating antiques into newer homes or spaces?
I tell everyone that comes into the store that antiques add character, comfort and class to any environment. There was a real trend in eclectic decorating in the early 1980’s till the mid 90’s and I’m glad to see it reemerge. It was common to see a French neoclassical secretary from the 1800’s paired with a Bertoia chair from the 1960’s next to an upholstered sofa from the Art Deco period. The thing about fine antiques compared to new furniture is that they were made to become heirlooms and are certainly more substantial than contemporary furniture. A fine antique stands out like a specimen tree in a forest. They help define your style and more importantly, speak to the personality of the owner. In the disposable furniture culture that we’ve just been through, it’s amazing what just one single chest, or chair, or vase or mirror can do for the overall aesthetic of an interior, regardless of what these pieces are surrounded by.
What are the telltale signs of quality?
The easiest way to tell quality is by opening the drawers. If they are not dovetailed, you know immediately that it is destined for the garbage dump. The joints of a piece of furniture are also important to notice as well as the finish of the wood and secondary woods used to complete interior components of the piece. You can also check to see if drawers are hand chamfered, if veneers are present, or, if there are nails involved, if they are square head or not. The nice thing about shopping at a fine antiques store like Frank’s or one of the other fine antiques stores in Alabama is that we’ve done the work for you. You don’t have to worry that what you’re observing in our store is anything but the finest quality, genuine antique and vintage studio-made furniture, accessories, art, and rugs.
How do you tell the difference between antique and reproduction?
While we do have a wonderful selection of fine antiques, our vendors also often find pieces from prominent furniture manufacturers that employed artisans and craftsmen to create fine furniture in their respective studios. Furniture from the likes of Baker, Henkel Harris, Henredon, Virginia Galleries, Davis Cabinet, Kittinger, Berkey & Gay, Karges and others. As stated previously, looking at the interior components of a piece is the easiest way to differentiate the real from the genuine. The same can be said for porcelain and statuary as most (not all) of those pieces are marked by the artist or house of origin.
Why buy antiques vs newer pieces?
A point I’ll make regarding the economics of buying fine antiques versus newly manufactured pieces. The quality is always superior and the price point is substantially inferior compared to even substandard quality pieces made today. There is a reason a well-made chair from the 1900’s is still more substantial and comfortable than one you’d get from Wayfair or any other online resource. It’s simply incomparable.
Where do you find the unique pieces in your store?
I can’t speak for all of my vendors, but I am happy to share with you where I acquire mine. I do import from Europe about once per quarter with a business partner I have there. The vast majority of the items I import are from the UK, France, Italy, and Belgium. I also attend regional auctions in Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana. Estate sale companies from local and regional estates are another resource, and don’t be surprised to see me in line at 4:00 am for a good sale – the early bird gets the worm at these sales, and it’s a lot of fun to find things that are going to have a second life in someone else’s home. We don’t generally buy from the public because we rarely are able to come to agreement on price. Store real estate is a premium at a fine antiques store and those costs have to be factored in when we make our acquisitions. The cost of maintaining our store, including operating costs, utilities, supplies and labor are factored into how we formulate our pricing structure and purchase decisions. Even so, you’ll be surprised at just how economical it is to invest in fine furniture rather than settling for mass-manufactured options.
