 Destin - While most in the antiques industry are familiar with the Asheford Institute having some deep roots along the northern Gulf's emerald coast, the beautiful sandy white beaches are not the only reason for the school's love of this remarkable and historic area of coastline, also known as the Florida panhandle. For many, the "deep south" has always been associated with a slower pace of life, and an abiding respect for things and items from the past. From beautiful plantation homes to small historic towns that look like they haven't changed a day in over a hundred years, the feel and fit of South has always been a perfect accompaniment for those working in the antiques business. Below, you'll find some of our favorite shops and markets along this coastline that we've visited, which we think truly make up the best-of-the-best when it comes to hunting for antiques and collectibles along the Gulf Coast. From Navarre Beach to Rosemary Beach, we're listing some of the best places to spend a day looking for items from the past. While there are plenty of out-of-the-way locales to choose from, we've narrowed our choices down to a mainstream Top Five list... 1. Smith’s Antique Mall As a natural successor to Clement's Antiques which operated for over thirty years beginning back in the 1970's, Smith's is now the longest running antique concern in the area and has been in business for over twenty-seven years. The twenty-five thousand square-foot building has more than a hundred quality antique booths with knowledgeable dealers and vendors at every turn. Higher-end items with prices to match. 2. Modern Antiques Nestled in Uptown Fort Walton Beach in Cinco Bayou, Modern Antiques is a treasure trove for visitors who love antiquing and the atmosphere of flea markets. There's a wide variety of genre's to choose from, ranging from collectibles and objects of art to retro, midcentury modern, and Asian antiques. 3. Antiques on Holiday Another unusual concern, this business is located just behind Smith’s Antique Mall. Not modelled on your standard idea of what an antique shop should be, Antiques on Holiday manages to fit perfectly into the local blend of beaches and vintage shopping with an eclectic mix from museum quality to general collectibles. Multiple vendors with items from around the world, including architectural antiques. 4. De’ France Indoor Fleamarket Antiques & Collectibles As far as quality flea markets go, this is the place to be if you're looking for good decorative arts items before they hit the showrooms of antique and vintage stores. With almost fifteen-thousand square feet, there's literally something for everyone - from new and hand-crafted, to reclaimed, to authentic and old. Get there early because De’ France really does offer a little something for everyone's wish list. 5. Flutterby Antiques Uniques & Gifts Located in Destin proper, Flutterby also has a quality and eclectic mix of antiques and local art. Much of the inventory is sorted and curated into groupings by owners Michele and Ron Sandstead, who like to create display vignettes to help customers visualize the possibilities for their own homes. Items are well chosen with an emphasis on well constructed pieces. If you've got some favorites of your own, let us know where and why, and we'll see about including some of them in our next series of articles about antiques and the decorative arts in the deep South and along Florida's Gulf Coast. - 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.  Eric Bradley's, Mantiques Book Florida - From scotch tumblers and fishing lures to vintage books and watches, collecting antiques has become an increasingly popular investment for men. So much so that the term "mantique" (which refers to collectible items with a specifically male appeal), has now become almost commonplace in today's collecting lexicon. In a matter of just a few short years this moniker has exploded across the collecting platform as both businesses and men flock to create a stylized impression of themselves within this testosterone fueled genre. Their collections may vary, but their interest is usually a combination of historical association and a reflection of what their collection says about them. Items such as vintage bar sets, old tennis racquets and cigar boxes infer a degree of individuality and an interest in a bygone era before the arrival of smartphones and flat-screens. The craze for all things "manly" hasn't been restricted to just North Americans shores either, as a leading UK antiques dealer in Yorkshire explains, “Men in general are natural collectors – much more so than women in my experience,” says David Harper, of David Harper Antiques. “I have always found that any antiques that appeal to men are particularly popular, especially anything relating to golf, or other sporting memorabilia, such as old cricket bats and vintage footballs. Classic pens are in demand too. A stylish 1950s Parker pen with a gold nib is perfect for signing big checks, a major work contract, or for other special occasions.” Harper, who began his own collecting career at the age of five by collecting early clay pipes from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, is now a regular on television shows about antiques, and has also begun to specialize in mantique-themed items for his store - including an old taxidermists tiger’s skull, mounted on a piece of oak that was converted into an inkstand in the early 19th century. Since he first purchased the piece over a year ago, Harper estimates its value to have risen by threefold. According to many shop owners specializing in mantiques, fans of the genre don’t usually conform to a specific demographic. They tend to range from the small time sports collectors saving up for a few vintage jerseys, all the way up to those collecting paintings of famous hunting scenes done by recognized artists from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Longtime antiques columnist and writer, Eric Bradley, also noted the increasing popularity of the genre in his book "Mantiques - A Manly Guide To Cool Stuff." Which included such topics as, how to pick your first Patek Philippe watch, and why first-gen Apple computers are now bringing in more than $600,000 at auction. So is it possible to sum up the appeal of mantiques? For some, mantique collecting is rooted in an appreciation of days gone by, a time when things were considered to be better made, and more importantly, made to last. For others it's about rarity. While for many, it's a combination of the two. Scott Fowler, a self-confessed mantiques-addict summed it up by saying, "It's about finding quality and style in my purchases - I want to be as original as possible in what I buy - and prefer to have stuff that nobody else does... and I'm willing to pay for it." Sentiments such as those are certainly going to be music to most dealers ears, and are likely to help keep prices and demand in the mantiques market high for the foreseeable future. - A.I.A. Staff Writer's  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. |
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
October 2024
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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