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IT’S TIME FOR: COLLECTING COUNTRY’S SUMMER COLORS
We chatted with David and Jane Steele of Steele & Steele Antiques in Middletown, Rhode Island (401/862-5371), at the old barn that houses their country antiques shop, pictured. They were about to load their van for an antiques show, one of a dozen that they travel to each year, and were reflecting on what attracts buyers—particularly in the summertime at outdoor antiques shows. “Color always attracts people,” says Jane Steele, who often decorates display spaces with American flags or old coverlets.
Here are three types of colorful antiques that seem to always be in demand at summer shows:
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RED & WHITE: Whether it’s an early 1900s coverlet, an antique American flag, or a vintage quilt, red-and-white objects say summer, especially with the Fourth of July holiday. With red-and-white textiles, Jane looks for size, condition, and pattern. “This coverlet came right out of someone’s house and it was a nice size (52 inches square), had no stains, and it was a beautiful color,” says Jane. The coverlet, a good size for a tablecloth, is priced at $125.
ROBIN’S EGG BLUE: “Blue is another magnet,” says David, who mentions robin’s egg blue pantry boxes and benches as popular objects at summer shows. A blue folk art bird, made in Canada, was one object in the shop that spoke to the bright blue appeal. “With folk art, it’s all about color,” says Jane.
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AGED PATINAS: Antiques with an interesting patina, whether painted or oxidized metal, are another highly desirable source of color in country antiques. The Steeles had a circa 1892 copper dormer that had oxidized to a stunning shade of blue, priced at $3,700. The architectural antique came from a Gilded Age mansion in nearby Newport. “People look for potential in things,” says Jane, who imagines someone will use the dormer as a piece of garden statuary. “People have great ideas for display,” she adds.
The next two outdoor shows on Steele & Steele’s calendar are the Tiverton (Rhode Island) 4 Corners Shows, Saturday, July 7 & August 25. For show information, call Jacqueline Sideli Productions, 508/324-4900.
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