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80 Comments

  1. DB
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:07 am

    Any progress on the Kitchen?

    Reply

  2. Vanessa
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:07 am

    I LOVE auctions! Sadly I have moved to the UK where there are lots of auctions but they speak like normal people. It is just not the same.
    Good for you for surviving your first one! I’m sure you will be back.

    Reply

    • Sunnie Mitchell
      July 9, 2014 @ 2:36 pm

      Me too! The only auctions I’ve been to here (NE Scotland) where everything sounds very familiar are the stock auctions. Lol, that’s universal I think!

      Reply

  3. Kelly
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:08 am

    I started going to auctions when I was in high school – such fun! But estate sale auctions are less stressful – usually just one auctioneer, and around here at least – cheaper prices (we’re not usually talking GFTs, but they can be found!) Nothing like trying to load your purchases into the back of a truck before the summer thunderstorm starts, though. Or calling your husband to hook up the trailer and bring over the “big” tractor because you’ve just bought a claw foot tub for $10 from a house about to be demolished and you’re not quite sure how to get it out of the house…..

    Reply

    • Jennifer Ozanich
      July 9, 2014 @ 10:33 am

      Oh Kelly we could be best friends! That sounds just like a call I would make to my husband!

      Reply

      • Maaike
        July 9, 2014 @ 12:15 pm

        My husband obviously needs to buy a tractor…..ASAP!

        Reply

  4. Shoham
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:09 am

    What an amazing couch and Elvis definitely deserves it. Great find and always fun to read about your adventures.

    Reply

  5. Amanda Church
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:14 am

    OMG, my Shelley would LOVE that, though after my failed experiment with the red velvet chaise lounge that I HAD to have (and has since been shrouded in a vintage coverlet I can throw in the wash), I don’t think I would have the energy to own it. Nor the nerves for auctioning. My last one was years ago and I’m still recovering.

    Reply

  6. Mindy
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:15 am

    I fortunately inherited this same style couch and my cat, Samson loves to sleep on it. I don’t know how you were able to stay in the noise of an auction. I hope Elvis appreciates you.

    Reply

  7. Amy
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:17 am

    Congratulations, Elvis! That sofa really sets off your fur!

    Reply

  8. Laurie Wanat
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:18 am

    Dutch! You went to DUTCH! My ALL-TIME favorite auction house!!!!! Hubby and I go to the previews every other Saturday, and usually leave bids for each Monday auction. We know the staff there really, really well! Tell Anita and Carol (two of the auction assistants for the box lots section up front) that Laurie said hi, and they’ll take good care of you!!

    Reply

  9. Barb Tilton
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:18 am

    LOL… I just went to my first auction last month. Definitely not for the faint of heart or hard of hearing. One little hunt in your bag for a TicTac and your fav item has been sold to another bidder. It’s sensory overload on a level that surpasses Christmas shopping at the mall. And yet I know I’ll be going back for more!

    Reply

  10. Barbara
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:19 am

    Where was this auction? How did you find out about it? Couch was an awesome find and Elvis looks great on it!

    Reply

  11. Kimberly ~ SerendipityRefined
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:22 am

    I’ve never been to an auction. I’m still getting used to standing on line at the check out at the grocer. Some day, I’ll work up my nerves…who knows, I may attend an auction near you…you’ll recognize me because I’ll be the one with the ear plugs, standing politely near the back…and probably going home with NOTHING…although I do covet the chandelier that’s in the background of your photos. Elvis’ new sofa is lovely!

    Reply

  12. Susan A
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:23 am

    Please post more often. 🙂 Love your stories and the recent video was awesome! Elvis is spoiled…as he should be.

    Reply

  13. Ethel Sawpenny
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:23 am

    Oh, you are in BIG trouble now that you have discovered auctions. They are even more addictive than Craigslist. You can find hoards of giant fancy things at auctions. Say goodbye to life as you knew it. Paul is in for a lifetime of hauling auction finds now. I can’t WAIT to read your future “fresh from the auction” posts!

    Reply

  14. Briana
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:25 am

    Auctions are the BEST!! We have a small antique shop, and attend 3 local auction almost every week.
    Once you get used to the ruckus, you tune out all the gibberish and just listen for the numbers. And NEVER get sucked in to paying more than you want to. You’ll get an immediate case of buyers remorse if you do!
    I must say I’m SHOCKED that you, of all people, were an auction VIRGIN!!
    Welcome to a whole new addiction!!!

    Reply

  15. Di Elliott
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:26 am

    Wow what an ordeal but Elvis seems to appreciate it! And we know she rules the house lol. Nice sofa! Well done!

    Reply

  16. Linda Spiker
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:37 am

    Love the color. I have a velvet sofa in that exact color…but there was no sweat, no heat, no having to move it and the ladies at Pottery Barn were much easier to understand.

    Reply

  17. Elizabeth Speicher
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:38 am

    Elvis looks beautiful on your new settee. Auctions are the best! My own home is peppered with “finds” from all kinds of auctions. Estate auctions held on the front lawn of a house are my favorite type. I dislike it when multiple auctions are held at the same time, but they do seem to provide the widest range of possibilities. If you don’t mind a drive from Philadelphia there is a really unique auction held every Wednesday in Crumpton, Md., 4 auctions held at once. One is a riotous affair held from the back of a moving pick up truck. see http://www.crumptonauctions.com

    My advice is to attend as many auctions in as many formats as you can manage, from farm to Sotheby’s. Go with no intention on making a purchase, they are a great place to learn about antiques or collectibles. Find an auctioneer whose style you like and who generally has events that include the type of items that appeal to you. Go often enough that you can begin to recognize other frequent attendees and can distinguish the dealers/pickers from people like yourself. Generally dealers and pickers have lots of money to bid with, but they have to be able to make a profit on what they buy. If you find yourself bidding against them for something you truly like and win your item you really haven’t overpaid. However bidding against someone like yourself can proved disastrous (see rule number 2)

    But the two most important things about buying at auction are:
    1. Never buy anything that you haven’t examined. Attend the preview or arrive early to look things over, and ask for an auction assistant to move things that prevent you from getting a good look at all sides, even the bottom.
    2. Set a limit on what you will pay for each item and stick to it! Auction fever is contagious and deadly to the wallet.

    Now where are you placing your new settee and did it require a trip to the roof?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Speicher
      July 10, 2014 @ 5:56 pm

      Victoria, if you need further encouragement to attend Dixon’s Furniture Auction in Crumpton, MD take a look at this entry by Travel Hags. Her focus is on the more bizarre aspects, but there is some good stuff here too. I remember and episode of Antiques Roadshow that showed an Atlas purchased there for next to nothing that was valued at high 5 digits.

      Love your blog and look forward to each new entry.

      Reply

      • Elizabeth Speicher
        July 10, 2014 @ 6:01 pm

        Forgot the link: travelhag.com/2013/06/27/crumpton-auction/

        Reply

  18. Laurie
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:38 am

    Ah, well, if you need something to do on a Wednesday, you should check out Dixon’s Furniture Auction in Crumpton MD.

    Reply

  19. Karen
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:43 am

    I’ve missed you. So nice to have you back…. amongst the land of the living! Even tho you are a long way from Australia….

    Reply

  20. Patricia Mason
    July 9, 2014 @ 10:48 am

    It was all worth it for that yawn and stretch at the end ! So funny…. !

    Reply

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