{"id":64823,"date":"2023-03-10T10:19:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-10T15:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themainemag.com\/?p=64823"},"modified":"2023-03-10T10:19:12","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T15:19:12","slug":"how-to-go-antiquing-like-a-mainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themainemag.com\/how-to-go-antiquing-like-a-mainer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Go Antiquing Like a Mainer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Buy what you triple-love,\u201d says Portia Clark, who has been running Portia\u2019s Barn, a rotating collection of curated vintage and found rugs, furniture, art, and objects, out of her home in Portland since 2017. In Clark\u2019s opinion, one that has been honed and perfected since her high school days prowling Goodwill for vintage clothing, that\u2019s the number one rule when it comes to finding gems in the dusty corners of antique stores, vintage boutiques, and flea markets across the state. \u201cI don\u2019t want to buy something where, if I don\u2019t sell it, I\u2019m stuck with it,\u201d she explains. \u201cDouble love is okay, but triple love is when you wake up the next day like, oh, I hope that hasn\u2019t sold.\u201d The second rule? Be curious. Stop at a variety of places\u2014especially nonflashy or unmarked ones\u2014and stop often. The 30-mile strip of Route 1 that stretches from Kittery to Arundel, for example, is home to more than 50 unique antique shops. \u201cBe nice and ask questions,\u201d says Clark. Like the watches you see on display? Kindly ask if there are more stored behind the counter. \u201cA lot of times people will open another drawer for you.\u201d And don\u2019t be afraid to fix things, be it an old, beat-up dresser that needs a little elbow grease, or a lamp whose wiring looks a bit, let\u2019s say, sketch. \u201cThere\u2019s a wonderful shop in South Portland called the Lamp Repair Shop,\u201d says Clark, who takes her finds there to be looked over. \u201cI\u2019m usually like, okay guys, I think this looks okay, but is this safe?\u201d Another situation in which being nice often pays off is haggling. \u201cIf you\u2019re respectful and really like something, you don\u2019t have to be afraid to ask, \u2018What is the best you can do on this?\u2019\u201d says Clark. Especially in smaller shops, bargaining is expected. Are there rules on how many types of wood to place in one room? Yes. But also no. \u201cStop looking at Instagram,\u201d says Clark. \u201cIf you love a collection of items and they speak to you, they\u2019ll have a place and won\u2019t go out of style,\u201d says Clark. Finally, and perhaps the most practical piece of advice: rent a trailer and hitch from U-Haul to schlep your treasures home. \u201cIt\u2019s $19 for the day, and you don\u2019t have to pay for mileage!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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