Furniture, Art and Object Auctions

 

Even though I have been in Australia for nearly 4 years and styling properties practically since I set foot on this red earth, I still find it hard to get my head around the fact that most properties in this country are sold under the hammer. My friends and family back in America can hardly believe it either. ‘What do you mean they auction off properties?’ They ask ‘ You know,’ I reply ‘ It goes something like this – A crowd of 30 to 100 people gather outside a property in the street or on the sidewalk and a fast talking man in a suit stands in front of them and talks loudly about how great the area is and how its in walking distance to cool shops and the best schools – he talks about the layout of the house or apartment and the high ceilings and European appliances – hands start going up through out the crowd and 15 minutes later someone’s bought themselves a home.’ I have to say even now I still find it a bizarre concept. I mean, I get it – but it’s still bizarre.

What is not bizarre or unusual to me is another kind of auction – a furniture auction. Be it eBay or some country farmyard auction, I confess I find these quite thrilling and there are some weekly Melbourne auctions that have become the highlight of my week.

My first auction purchase was in fact on eBay and it was just a few weeks after arriving in Melbourne. We had moved into our apartment in Collingwood where we were sporting a rather ‘minimal’ interior due to the fact that our furniture was delayed to arrive from Milan by about 6 weeks. Perhaps that’s why I was (and still am) so fond of the 1950’s cabinet with a beautiful honey coloured patina that I picked up for $150 – more than I should have paid due to the on line bidding war I got into with my sister in law over the same piece, but it was still the deal of the century.

These days I prefer to preview an auction as you get the opportunity to see what you are bidding on – you get to dig around, to touch and sit and wiggle and turn things upside down – I have learned over the years that what you see on line is often not what you get in real life (and that goes for any online buy, not just from an auction).

The preview is the best part. Auctions can be like the best Op shop you have ever been to by the power of 10. You never know what you will find or snap up for a bargain price. There are treasures galore from antique oddities to vintage European lighting to contemporary furniture – even Jardan pieces in nearly new condition.

Furniture, art and object auctions tick all the boxes for me. Firstly, I love the hunt, secondly I love the score, thirdly I love the win. They call it a ‘winning bid’ or ‘winning lot’ due to the fact that all items have a lot number, and even though you pay for it you still feel like a winner. I don’t always go to the auctions but leave absentee bids so I don’t find out until hours after the auction what I have won or not – which adds to the excitement.

One final point about why I love auctions so much – it’s a green way to shop. If I can minimise our footprint by buying pre-owned not ‘assembly line’ new items AND get amazing pieces at amazing prices, a happier designer you will never meet.

I am getting better at the score and every time I go I find a whole lot to love. Design & Diplomacy is amassing quite the unique and varied collection of art, objects and furniture and it is the one off pieces I have scored at various auctions that sets our collection apart. Auctions have made shopping fun again because they add an element of adventure and mystery to the act of shopping for furniture.

It’s all about the big win, and winning big.