Interested in antiquing? Join me on the vintage trail in Coastal Maine. You’ll learn all about how to navigate antique stores and thrift shops while having loads of fun along the way.
Let’s go antiquing and grab a lobster roll or two along the way.
Antiquing Meaning
Antiquing is a popular hobby and pastime for many people who enjoy collecting and appreciating items from the past. It involves searching for, evaluating, and acquiring antique and vintage items, such as furniture, artwork, jewelry, clothing, or our favorite home decor. If you’re interested in getting started with antiquing, here are some tips to help you navigate this exciting world:
Thrift The Vintage Scene at Cabot Mills Antiques Maine
Explore the vibrant world of vintage and thrift in Brunswick, Maine. Join us as we visit the top antique store and uncover unique finds.
Your Antiquing Questions Answered
What are the basics of antiques?
To be considered an antique, an object must be 100 years old or older and often artistically or historically significant. Vintage items, also found in antique stores, are considered to be 20-99 years old and usually more affordable.
How do I get good at antiquing?
Start out going antiquing with experienced antique shoppers. They will know all the ins and outs, such as what things are actually worth, fair pricing, and where to go to find good deals. I’m so grateful that I had my parents to teach me all they knew about antiquing.
What are the latest trends in antiquing?
Vintage furniture is always on trend. Both vintage furniture and antique quilts are not just a fleeting trend but are here to stay. Vintage pieces that tell a story are always in high demand. Architectural salvage, mid-century modern, and Asian antiques are also on trend.
Is Thrifting and antiquing the same?
Not quite. Thrift stores are known for selling merchandise inexpensively and usually are for nonprofits, or they donate their proceeds to the local community or charities of their choice. Antique shops are quite the opposite. The merchandise tends to be more expensive, and the shops are for profit. But you can still find great bargains antiquing.
Why do people go antiquing?
Many people enjoy antiquing as a hobby and enjoy it in their free time. The allure of unique decorative items that tell a story is often the attraction. Treasure hunting, collecting, nostalgia, interior design, investment, and the appreciation of craftsmanship are just a few reasons why people are passionate about antiquing.
Antiquing Near Me
I’d like to invite you to join me on the antiquing and thrifting trail for a few wonderful days in Coastal Maine. It’s officially spring, but we’re getting our first snowstorm of the season! So my heart was calling for a vintage shopping road trip to visit our home in Maine and my friend Molly in Maine.
The stores are reopening and restocking, and the crowds are at a minimum.
To find antique shops or markets near your location, you can use various online resources and tools. Here are a few suggestions:
Antiquing Principles
It’s nice, not necessary, but nice to have a few goals when you set out to go antiquing. It helps you stay focused and makes the trip more enjoyable as you set out to go vintage shopping.
You may enjoy the What is Thrifting and How to Get Started post.
Bargain Shopping
For instance, I have a vintage booth that I would like to restock for spring. Therefore, I will be looking for vintage pieces that are marked way down that I can resell. This is when thrift shops and Habitat for Humanity shops work best.
Antiquing New Hampshire
So, the first stop on my way to Maine is always the Savers store in Portsmouth, NH, where I look for items that I can resell at bargain pricing.
Savers
Check here for your nearest Savers store. It’s basically a thrift shop department store. It’s hit or miss, but I have found some really great bargains here. From vintage fur hats to dinnerware, you never know what you’ll find!
Have you ever been to a Savers?
Here’s a glimpse into what I found at Savers.
Preparations & Preparedness
Antiquing Online
Can you find antiques online? Yes, you most certainly can:
Auction ninja
You may enjoy my Guest Curation on Auction Ninja.
The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
See our feature on the cover of The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles.
Country Sampler
Featured Story in Country Sampler Magazine
Do you have any tips or comments that you would like to add to these antiquing lists? Please leave them in the comments section below.
You may also be inspired by this Cottage Farmhouse Decor Trending Finds post.
Negotiating for the price you want
It’s always okay to ask for a lower price. Did you know that antique dealers expect customers to ask for at least 10% off, and that is standard in the industry, especially when paying with cash?
If a dealer needs to contact a vendor on your behalf to negotiate the price down, you are expected to then purchase the antique you negotiated if the seller agrees to your offer.
It also helps to know how long the piece you want to negotiate has been for sale. The longer it’s been in the store, the more likely you are to get a good deal for it. Get creative with your negotiations. Remember, antique dealers want to sell their pieces as badly as you want to buy them.
Apothecary – A Vintage Apothecary Cabinet Story
When I found this vintage apothecary at an antique shop in Kennebunk, ME, it was more than I wanted to pay. I noticed a missing drawer on the bottom right of the apothecary. I asked if we could negotiate using this empty drawer as my leverage.
Apothecary Drawer
They agreed to drop the price by 15% and made me a matching “dummy” drawer to fit into the empty space. It was a win-win!
Antiquing Road Trips
Antiquing road trips can be a fun and exciting way to explore different regions, discover hidden treasures, and add unique pieces to your home collections.
Antiquing road trips are not just about the destination but also about the journey. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt, embrace serendipitous discoveries, and have fun exploring the world of antiques.
Arundel Maine
On this day, I headed up to Arundel, Maine, just north of Kennebunk, Maine. The night before, we received about 2″ of snow, so it was a little slow going up the highway. And the more north I went, the more snow had fallen. I made it just fine, but the unfortunate part was that because of the storm, many of the shops on the Route 1 antiquing trail were closed or had delayed openings.
Antiques USA was my first stop of the day. It is a large antique and collectible shop with over 60 vendors. I was mostly shopping for myself today, looking for unique coastal decor items that I could add to our Maine home. And they were having a large sale too. I found a few fun pieces, like a set of vintage trophy bowling balls
( because I loved the color), a cake stand to add to my Vermont collection, a few decorative architectural wall medallions, 6 antique dinner bowls for $6, and a vintage blue monogrammed tea towel. Unfortunately, the prices were a bit high overall, so I passed on quite a bit. I know my limits, and some of the prices were making me feel a bit uneasy.
Breakaway Designs and Antiques
So, I decided to press on down the road. Again, because of the weather, many of the shops I wanted to go to were closed, but to my surprise, one of my favorites, Breakaway Designs and Antiques, was open, and Paula rarely is this time of the year. It’s the cutest store if you ever find yourself in the area of Wells, Maine. But call ahead first to be sure she’s open.
They were in the process of restocking for spring, and the shop looked absolutely gorgeous. It was filled with trending neutral and gold furniture tones, lots of vintage globes, and greens for spring, and Paula had all her creative touches everywhere.
A Little Green Basket
On this day, I picked up this little vintage green basket that I’ll bring back to Vermont to decorate with. Here are a few ideas swirling around in my head for it:
vintage finds at home
Watch my video to see more of the day’s antiques
This day called for Bolognese
To complete the day, I stopped by Bitter End in Wells, Maine, one of the cutest area restaurants that we love to frequent. It was now pouring rain outside, and it was oh-so damp and cold. A bowl of their famous 9-hour bolognese was just what the end to a fine day of antiquing called for. No lobster rolls today…
Thrifting with the Gals Excursion
Thrifting with the gals can be a fun and memorable experience. Join me today as I meet up with my friend Molly at one of our favorite shops, Cabot Mill Antiques, in Brunswick, ME. Molly lives in Downeast, Maine, so this is the ideal destination for us to reunite.
Cabot Mill Antiques and Collectibles
A renowned destination for antique enthusiasts and collectors, this vintage store is situated in a historic mill building and offers a wide array of unique and high-quality antiques, vintage items, and collectibles.
The Cabot Mill complex is housed in a former textile mill dating back to the mid-19th century. The mill building itself holds significant historical value, adding to the charm and character of the antique shopping experience. As a visitor, you’ll explore the multi-level store, greeted with a wide selection of antique furniture, artwork, jewelry, silverware, pottery, glassware, and other collectible items.
Walk and shop with us around Cabot Mill Antiques:
Antique Haul
The joy of an antique haul lies in the thrill of discovering unique and rare pieces, each with its own story and charm.
After a long morning of antiquing, we headed out to find some lobster rolls and to catch up. However, due to the storm earlier in the week, the entire town of Brunswick, Maine, was still out of power, except for Cabot Mill. So we missed our chance for a lobster roll at The Sea Dog and headed out of town to Molly’s favorite cafe, Wild Oats.
Molly in Maine found these fabulous botanical prints. Wait until you see what she plans to do with them in her bathroom.
Antique Lobster Mold From London
For those of you who saw this lobster mold over in my Instagram Stories, this is a vintage lobster mold from London. A decorative item used for molding or shaping lobster-shaped desserts or dishes. It is typically made of porcelain or ceramic and features intricate details to replicate the appearance of a lobster. These molds were popular in the past for creating lobster-shaped jellies or mousses. They are now considered collectors’ items and are often sought after by those interested in vintage kitchenware or culinary history. Now you know!
Antique Showcase Displays
I feel like I need to address the locked antique showcases that you may stumble upon in almost all antique stores on this Antiquing 101 post. To me, they look intimidating. I may be wrong about this, but I rarely browse these showcases. Unless I’m looking for a unique, valuable, small, specific piece, I find these cases are home to high-priced valuables. Not always! But mostly… I’m not suggesting you ignore these showcases; I’m just saying this kind of antique shopping hasn’t been for me. Do you have any thoughts?
Antique Painting
It’s been since last summer when I last went antiquing with Molly. At that time, I shared with her how much I loved finding and collecting vintage Montague framed sailboat prints for our home in Maine. The Clippers have really become a theme of our coastal vintage home decor.
The next day, at an auction she attended, Molly picked up this vintage framed print of “Fiery Cross” by Jon Schmidt to enjoy in our home. I am finally able to add it to our living room now, which, of course, has me changing the entire living room.
“Fiery Cross” Clipper Ship
The Fiery Cross was a clipper ship built in 1854. It was one of the famous clipper ships of the 19th century. The ship was known for its speed and elegance. The Fiery Cross was primarily used to transport goods, especially tea, between China and Britain. It had a sleek design with three masts and a sharp bow, allowing it to sail at high speeds. The ship was named after the Fiery Cross, a symbol of clan unity in Scottish history.
In Conclusion
Phew, it was a long week of antiquing. I hope you were inspired to plan your own antiquing road trip today. Whether you are a seasoned antique collector or a beginner exploring the world of antiques, antiquing can be a delightful and fulfilling experience. It allows individuals to connect with history, preserve artifacts, and enjoy the timeless appeal of these treasured items.
Antiquing is a journey of exploration and appreciation. Enjoy the process, learn from each experience, and let your passion for history and craftsmanship guide you. Be sure to follow along in our favorite blog series, Thrifting with the Gals, too.
Happy antiquing!
Gratefully Vintage
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
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Hi Ann! What a fun post! I had so much fun meeting up with you on Monday. It is always great to get together! Of course I need to head back to Cabot Mill for one more botanical…. And I thought I had too many!