True vintage addicts are never afraid to go the extra mile to get their fix of antique fodder. When their eye is on the prize, they’ll go to extreme lengths to source, collect and transport their fabulous finds home, often throwing logic, rationality, practicality, safety and sanity, to the wind.
I once spent an entire Sunday journeying from south London to Yorkshire and back again to pick up a rare black Ercol coffee table that was just £9.99 on eBay. Three overland trains, two underground trains,
Last time I went on a vintage binge, I ended up lugging a large wire potato basket around for the whole day. Happily, although it was enormous, the handles meant it was comfy to hold and, in fact, it served as a useful container in which to carry all my other smaller purchases. It now sits in the bathroom filled with rolled-up towels, but it could be used as a log basket beside the fire, for storing fruit and veg in the larder, for toys, magazines, or as a laundry bin. Baskets like this were used for ‘the tattie harvest’ back in the day, designed to carry heavy weights and withstand bad weather and hard labour, so they’re incredibly robust. No wonder designer brands such as the achingly-cool trend-setting Danish label Ferm Living are churning out contemporary versions. With geometric wirework and generous proportions, they’re all very lovely – but I still prefer the real deal, in distressed zinc, preferably with a few imperfections or dents and bags (or should that be sacks?) of history.
You can find so many antiques, vintage and collectors items, including vintage potato baskets, at iacf antiques fairs. If you have found some inspiration for vintage styling in your home, make sure to visit our upcoming antiques fairs to source all the vintage interior design inspiration you need! Take a look at our fairs gallery page for inspiration!
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