Every year since 1985 the Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair is held in Battersea Park in London and showcases everything from museum-quality items, collector's items, quirky antiques to unusual pieces for furnishing the home. The fair brings together antique traders and interior designers/personal shoppers. This year the fair runs from September 29-October 4.
I like that one of the exhibitors demystified the fair by saying that half of their sales are made to young people between the ages of 25 and 40. Young people love antique and brocante---if you want well-made furniture pieces that are affordable you may simply have to go to the flea market.
On the Continent especially, it is rather rare to find newly-made furniture crafted from good wood and with exquisite cabinetmaking skills for an affordable price (i.e. young person's budget). My dining table which is brilliantly made out of cherry wood came with me from the US and I couldn't ever find a similar piece of furniture in Brussels for the price I paid for it in the US.
One of the things I love about these types of fairs is the inspiration. Wonderful ideas are found on how to upcycle old world objet d'art.
Also you get to shop among some brilliant interior designers and learn from them right on the spot. Shadow them, see what interests them, chat them up, and ask about the value of buying one piece or another.
Do not be intimidated. For a long time I assumed that shopping for antiques was a wealthy person's pastime. In Belgium, especially, you can be cured of that belief. Think and ask about provenance--especially for art. Also don't forget to keep your eye out for jewellery!
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