well, you know.
I recently received an unbelievably massive new catalog from RESTORATION HARDWARE.
Right there on page 92 is an interview/feature on Tim Oulton, designer and former antiques dealer, who states,
"Let's be clear. Antiques are finished." "No one's interested," he says of the antique business.
"It's not relevant. Now antiques reinvented, that's what people are interested in."
WHATCHU TALKIN' BOUT WILLIS?
I'll give you this Mr. Oulton, people are diggin' on re~purposing old stuff. We do re~purpose as dealers and so do most of my peeps.
But antiques are finished? I beg to differ. While you are quite talented with your reproductions of old things, your repros don't have the soul of a true antique.
SOUL.
You can't reproduce soul.
As a dealer of antiques and vintage junque I can't imagine what shows like Brimfield and Marburger Farms ( where we sell our wares) would be like if we all unloaded nothing but re~purposed goods. As a dealer, you can't tell me that people don't still dig the old stuff. I see it every show.
So here's where you come in. What do you think? Have you seen the catalog and/or the article? Give me your feedback! Are you a purist or do you love a good repro?
Can't wait to hear from you!
PS~~THANKS FOR YOUR SWEET COMMENTS ABOUT MY VIDEO INTERVIEW AT MY LAST SHOW!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
OPINIONS ARE LIKE...
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26 comments:
Antiques all the way! Soul. Quality. Style. I'll take an antique over a reproduction any day of the week. Pretty sure the vast majority of people I know would agree!
Don't even get me started on restoration hardware, they have so many lawsuits up against them for stealing artists "repurposed" items and making them into mass quantity.
Thus stealing the repurposed "soulful piece as you stated" to a now rip off piece, making it for those uppity people who don't want USED merch in there homes.
okay my rant is done
Are you KIDDING me??? I got the massive catalog, haven't had much of a chance to read it. Looks like I will get mad when I do. I would ALWAYS choose an old piece over a repro any day of the week and twice on Sunday! Yes, I agree...opinions are like...well, you know.
Antiques no longer relevant? Most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time! Hahahaha, wonder what he's been smoking?
I saw the "tome" to which you're referring, we received one in our mailbox (quite frankly I don't know how it's still nailed to the wall!)
My husband's comment was "Everythings so dark!"
I agree about the soul, it's why I get so irritated walking into PB and seeing their "pseudo" vintage wares.....just not the same, no matter how hard they try!
I'd rather have the original and authentic item anyday.
Sounds like an idiot to me!!!!! Antiques are absolutely TIMELESS....they can be used as-is or repurposed to fit most any decor...sounds like he has an agenda to me. I will love old stuff till the day I croak ~ and I know TONS of folks that feel the exact same way I do ~ you're one of them!!! hugs and love, Dawn
Re-makes of something else...probably made in china !!! You are so right about a piece having soul. Real quality things last..remakes in pressed wood do not. Keep the spirit girl , you are right on the spot.Smiles, Susie
I like both, but don't like the fact that RH is dissing antiques! How can you diss the very thing that you are using as a base for your design?!?
Definitely antiques and vintage loveliness! Finished? I think not. I have no interest whatsoever in a mass-produced, reproduction knock-off.
You got to have Soul, it comforts my heart. I believe the only thing that is no longer relevant is Mr. so and so's opinion!!
Long live the collectors or soul!!!
Debbie
shhhh...please keep this amongst us. My daughter works there (RH). I didn't tell her, but when that monstrosity arrived in my mailbox, I was offended first by its size and how many trees were wasted. I am an antique girl and always will be. I didn't even open the catalog. shhh!
So true Shelley. I think he has probably never been to an antique show in TX or else he would have a different opinion.
What planet is HE from anyway....???? Antiques carry history. Can't mass quantity that!!!
xoxo laurie
He WISHES!! he doesn't speak for everyone! Also, he doesn't sound very bright :) certainly Restoration Hardware has ZERO imagination in home decor.
I haven't seen it yet Shelley, but I already can tell you that the real thing will win every time. When I sit down at the old table to eat my cereal, I want to know that many others have sat at this very table before me with their families. Maybe many a card game was played around it too. I know that these pieces we choose to live with, whether they be antiques or just vintage, hold onto the memories of others who have loved them. I like to think of the craftsman in his shop building the old chippy chest of drawers I have in my bedroom and how many hands have touched those knobs to pull the drawers out.
There maybe many out there that don't really care...but there are still plenty of us who do.
sending hugs from here...
A store full of WANT-A-BE'S or the real thing ...Do we have to think about it ? Most WANT-A-BE's happen because the REAL-THING is expensive or rare , and they want it. Give me the REAL THING !
It's interesting that one person can think his opinion is THE opinion. The world would be boring if everyone had the same taste anyway! (Then who would we point and laugh at?? :)
I had a shop a long time ago and I sold new..right after opening it I realized I didn't like the "stuff" as it was new vs what I really liked which are antiques...
..this guy is clever in trying to persuade people that what they really want is new..but at the same time..what is an antique was once "new" at one point and someone had to buy it to get it into circulation so to speak...
so, I prefer the old patina stuff while others prefer new.. it's the way the world turns..
but good points nonetheless...
best,
maureen
And, have you checked out the prices of their stuff??? I'll take a good old solid piece made years ago and loved by many for a fraction of their price anyday!
Antiques are still the best deals around.
When was the last time you heard of something recently mass produced selling for oh, say, $150,000 at auction? Yep, you got it!
It's hard to believe that someone would right that. It seems to me that antiques are more popular than ever. Most people at least want some things from the past for added character.
Kristen
gol darn him anyway ... how dare he?
They ... RH copy antiques and reproduce the exact same stinkin' item and ship it from overseas.! They make they $$ on the things we already own ...
they are actually behind in the trends if you ask me!!
the Thenne' collection of artwork appears to perhaps reproduced from a turn of the century blacksmith's collection of original sketches ...
now he's making me mad ...
from one repurpose queen in the burbs
If Antiques are finished then isn't it amazing that my Antique Mall, The Depot, has its biggest months ever July & August....over $180,000 for the month of July, he needs to learn a thing or two. I am seeing the younger crowd coming in to shop these days, saying that they can get the restoration hardware look with real antiques and for cheaper! Ha1 Hugs, Janna
Pure nonsense, Shelley! If you can find it, an antique will win out over a repro every time. p.s. just a nasty marketing ploy
What a joke! Why are you reproducing antiques if no one is interested in them? Same thing with Pottery Barn, it seems that every design trend I see first on blogs show up in their catalogs!!
Oh, please! I am so done with this reproduced, commercialized junk. It's all about making a fast buck! Give me a room filled with treasure that lasts and soothes my soul with memories of bygone days.
Patti
Oh my, what a silly thing for him to say!! As you said, antiques have soul, history, and character that cannot be replicated. However, I must admit that I do enjoy a well done affordable reproduction if for some reason I cannot obtain a real vintage piece. I'm no purist, but I definitely do prefer the real thing.
Michelle
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