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Industry Experts Make Their Predictions   Brown & Brooding Is Back New York - According to the latest industry report from the online reseller site Chairish, antique and vintage furniture shopping hit a record high this past year, with sustained growth predicted to remain at outperform for the remainder of 2024 and likely beyond. For most working in the resale industry this is incredibly good news, but there is of course one caveat to this wonderful report; what exactly is it that's selling so well? For many dealers 'in-the-business' these types of industry proclamations have become somewhat of a familiar refrain recently, with many often relying more on headlines than actual product examples when fleshing out their press releases. However, with a little investigative digging, show-stopping and some intrepid reporting from staff writers, we've managed to put together what we think could be a few solid bets for some 'outperforming' antique and vintage trends that you might just want to keep an eye on in 2024.  Coastal Grandpa "Grandpa Core, Country Club Chic, or whatever name it is you'd like use," says Jennifer Bush, an interior design consultant from New York, "is a decorating style that has definitely arrived on scene." Bush says that while there are multiple monikers for this movement, it's really just a return to the more masculine decorating design motifs from previous generations. "It's not only back to brown furniture," says Bush, "but brown leather, dark fabrics, and wooden framed hunting scenes resting above leather wrapped country club chairs, in a wood paneled drawing room." Bush says if there was ever any doubt about brown furniture being back in, there shouldn't be now.  Textiles For showgoers Anna & Christy Merrimack, whose blog and TikTok channel cover the hottest buying trends at antique and vintage fairs, it's all about fabrics and wall-hangings these days. "These aren't your great Granny's doilies," says Anna, "but full-sized antique tree-of-life tapestries and textiles." The sisters say that without a doubt, they've witnessed more sales of textiles at shows over the past year than anything else, with prices almost trebling in a matter of months. "It's all part of a return to a warmer ethos," says Anna, "and you can see it being represented in the stock that dealers are starting to carry at many of their shows."  1970's Modular Furniture Max Fennec's South Beach vintage and supply store has always been a popular go-to for many in the interior design scene. And while Fennec says that he stocks a wide array of vintage items to suit as many tastes as possible, it's become increasingly apparent that certain items related to 1970s furniture have surged disproportionably in popularity recently. "Five years ago I maybe had two requests a year for Umbo modular shelving systems," says Fennec, "Today I'm lucky if I can even find two examples to buy a year." Fennec noted that demand is not just limited to Umbo pieces either, but anything modular that screams of the 70s motif. "I really don't see this trend cooling off anytime soon," he says, "particularly in the coastal south where our architecture and buildings tend to blend well with these kind of funky space-age designs." Fennec admits that while he still sells plenty of Mid-Century goods, it's the distinctive 70s stuff that's now taken over his leadership board. "I'm literally buying it as fast as I can," he says.   Statuaries Trends can change pretty quickly when it comes to outdoor vintage décor, at least according to Shirley Smart, whose bricks & clicks vintage garden center in upstate New York, has seen a number of passing fads come and go over the past few years. But one trend that Smart says she's noticed has remained strong, has been the public's increasing interest and demand for antique and vintage animal statuaries. "I'm selling many broken and damaged antique examples for more now than I was charging for pristine pieces just a few years ago." Smart acknowledges that's it's also a trend that hasn't altered its course in quite a while, "Statuaries have been on an upward trajectory for some time now," she says, "and based on current sales, I don't really see that changing." Smart also noted that it wasn't just the animal statuaries that were moving well, but virtually all forms, including fountains, planters, decorative objects and garden sculptures in general.  Chiclet Sofas For Charlotte Taylor, her money is on vintage chiclet sofas for one of the best 'buy' trends heading into 2024. Taylor reports that her west coast vintage design house can literally sell any example, in literally any condition, before it even hits the showroom floor. "I used to spend time and money on reupholstering," she says, "but today it's completely unnecessary, as I make just as much selling them in 'as is' condition as I do refurbished." Taylor notes that while 1970s examples top the list for chiclets, virtually any style of loveseat from Hepplewhite to Victorian, up to 1940s-clamshell and 1960s-channel backs are all selling well.  Venetian Glass Rounding out the list of possible up-and-coming trend candidates for 2024, Jay Bower, whose online concerns include a number of upscale Etsy and Chairish shops, says that he's found the greatest change in demand for any one item over the last year has been for Venetian glass. Bower says he was initially surprised after listing some Venetian barware for sale that sold out almost immediately, and which was quickly followed up by requests for more. Since that time Bower says he's gone all-in, adding everything from sconces and glasses to vases and even chandeliers to his online inventory. "I'm selling three to one compared to last year," he acknowledged, "and with a much higher profit margin." Bower believes that with many antiques rising in value now, it only makes sense to be paying attention to what’s trending in the decorative arts field, after all he says, "If I don't, someone else certainly will." As with any medium that relies upon a crystal ball, expected returns and results are likely to vary greatly. However, with a little planning, some due diligence, and a bit of research into the matter, savvy buyers might just find themselves at the forefront of some of this year's hottest breaking trends by taking note of these observations. If not, well... there's always next year. - A.I.A. Staff Writers  NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page.
Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Comments are closed.
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AIA StaffWe're providing our students and reader's with the latest breaking news on events and happenings that we think might be of interest to both collectors and dealers alike. Including changes within the world of antiques, vintage, collectibles and appraising that might just have an effect on your bottom line. We're also interested in hearing from you - so if you've got a great newsworthy story, let us know, and you just might find it here! Archives
May 2025
CategoriesLegal Disclaimer: Extraneous opinions, statements and comments made by individuals represented within these posts do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. The publication naming of specific business entities, organizations, and concerns, contained herein, in no way represents an endorsement or recommendation of services or products by the Institute. Publicly identifiable information contained herein (including, but not limited to contact information), has been intentionally limited where possible, due to privacy and legal concerns related to the digital dissemination of information through online means. All views expressed herein are those of their respective owners. The Institute is in no way responsible, financially or otherwise, for the accuracy or validity of statements contained within published posts from sources that originate and appear outside of the written and expressed views of those submitted by the Institute.
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