Did you know that there are places around your house where art and antiques don’t belong?
Most of us know that attics and basements are poor choices for the storage of art and antiques, yet most of the time that is where the antiques are found. Antiques are commonly squirreled away in attics, rafters or basements, or beneath floorboards, etc. They are among the worst places to store antiques, but if you are looking for antiques in grandma’s house, these bad places are the first places you should look.
The foyer is not the best place to display your antiques. The front door is the major culprit. The door opens and closes as people enter and exit the house. As a result, temperature and humidity changes are often drastic in your foyer. These seasonal changes in temperature affect the condition of an oil on canvas painting, a Victorian hall stand made of oak, or a vintage ceramic floor vase holding umbrellas and walking sticks. This is why I suggest that you decorate your foyer, the main entryway to your home — which sets the tone for all of your home décor — with wreaths and such. Save the antiques for the main areas of your home like living rooms, studies and dens.
Art and antiques need ventilation, air flow, consistent temperature and humidity levels, and no direct sunlight. Don’t place art or antiques near radiators, heaters, air vents, air conditioning units, etc.
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The 10 worst places
for art and antiques:
• In an attic. Too much heat with poor ventilation.
• In a basement. Too damp with high mold or mildew levels.
• In a storage locker. You may forget about the valuable objects stored there. Many people do. I have appraised serious valuables in storage lockers near and far.
• In an exterior shed, garage or barn. This is not much different than putting your rare antiques directly outside in the elements.
• Under a bed. Laying your works of art flat attracts dirt and bugs. It is best to hang works of art or store them upright.
• In a kitchen. Heat, cooking odors and dirt can damage art and antiques.
• In a laundry room. Washing machine moisture and dryer heat — both very bad.
• In a bathroom. Water, odors, steam…need I say more?
• In an air-tight china cabinet. Make sure you open your china cabinet once in a while to let heat escape.
• Anywhere food or drinks may be served. Spills happen.
Art and antiques like to live where you like to live. If I had a dime for each time I have made this exact statement in front of my live audiences around the world, I’d be banking with Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates.
Happy collecting.
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