A vintage splash: Add a piece of history to your home

BRING HOME A PIECE OF HISTORY

Antiques can add a splash of vintage flavour to any style of home.

STORY: CHARMAYNE ALLISON PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE

From stylish velvet couches to pristine dining tables from 19th century France, high-quality antique pieces can add a dash of one-of-akind class to your home. But the wide world of antiques can be a bewildering one. And it can be tough to sort trash from treasure. Thankfully, Shepparton’s Albury Antiques has you covered. Launched in March, the new onestop antique shop aims to bring a wide range of quality antiques to Shepparton. And backed with more than 40 years’ experience, the shop’s owner, known simply as Roy, is just the man to advise you on your next antique purchase. “Albury Antiques specialises in quality, range and good prices,” he said. “And every piece we have has a story.” While many items in the shop are sourced from Australia, a massive 60 per cent were hand-picked by Roy from as far away as England and France. These include more than 100 dining tables, 100 side tables, 50 wardrobes and 100 cabinets, as well as more than 25,000 small items. Most pieces are more than 100 years old, but some are as old as 350 years. Only selling the highest quality items, Roy said his antiques could offer a “touch of class” to any home. When searching for an antique, he said it was important to look at an item’s condition. “You can get a lot of antiques that are broken or knocked around,” he said. “But we hand-pick our items so they are all in excellent condition.” Roy said antiques could suit any home, even those with a modern flavour. “A lot of our customers are actually from modern homes, and they come and buy one or two pieces,” he said. “If you have a modern home, it’s better to only introduce a couple of antique pieces, especially because of the low ceilings. “But if you have a larger home, you can buy five or 10 pieces. “We have antiques of different sizes and a different nature.” When caring for your precious new antique piece, Roy recommended using a polish provided by the shop, which protects and infuses fresh life into timber surfaces. He also advised regular cleaning with a cloth. Where antiques used to be very expensive, Roy said Albury Antiques had brought prices down so anyone can mix a little bit of old with the new, without breaking the bank. “People can afford it now,” he said. Best of all, each piece is one-of-a-kind. “You can’t replace them,” Roy said. And if you have any questions, Roy is on hand to share his encyclopedic knowledge on each piece. “I know what materials were used, how it was made, I could tell from which country it’s originated, I can tell the approximate age. “We often have young customers come in who have little knowledge of antiques, they only know all the newer furniture, the flat-packs. “But they are amazed to see the furniture here, and for many people,

antiques bring back memories of past generations.” As for what kind of vintage look you want to introduce to your home—Roy says that’s completely up to you. “People often ask my opinion, but I don’t force them into anything,” he said. “Some people like to mix and match—they’ll even buy a table with alternate chairs. “So antiques can be used in various ways.” The shop has already garnered a dedicated following, with some customers visiting weekly to explore Roy’s ever-growing collection of treasures. And with new items added every week, there’s always something more to discover. The shop has also introduced a ‘market day’ on Saturday between 10am and 4pm. “Customers bring in their pre-loved items such as china and silver, and sell them for cash,” Roy said. “And sometimes people will exchange and swap items as well.” And no matter how much time passes after your purchase, Roy is always on hand to offer free advice. “I am passionate about antiques. This is the reason I run this shop. “It’s a passion more than anything else, and I want to pass it on.” At 159 High St, Shepparton, Albury Antiques is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.

Backed by more than 40 years’ experience, Albury Antiques owner Roy can help you sort trash from treasure when searching for an antique piece. Albury Antiques has a 1985 Riley Automobile on display.

A painted side table is a one-of-a-kind piece of history.

Rhys Cottrell | 0409 408 380

rhys@cottrellselectrical.com.au

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