Antiques Trade Talks – Sourced and Collected

Kent-based Sarah Farr has been running her decorative antiques and interior pieces business, Sourced and Collected, for 18 months. She stalls out at fairs across the UK from Cornwall, along the South coast and up into Yorkshire. She also posts weekly collections on her Instagram and takes part in several virtual fairs including Salvage Sundays

What is the unique appeal of antiques?

I have always loved sourcing antiques, whether for a personal project or now helping others who approach me to help them find specific interior pieces.

For me they can transform a space, they often create warmth, add character and a sense of story to an interior space.

What areas and items are currently selling well?

Right at this moment in time, it’s small decorative items, things such as antique oil paintings, quirky original advertising pieces; people are looking for things they can carry away and use easily to offer interest within their homes.

What are the ones to watch/future sellers?

I think more traditional items are making a resurgence, thank goodness, as these in my eyes should never have been forgotten. Classic brown furniture, joint stools, those type of items that once people disregarded as old-fashioned now seem to be starting to be sought after once more.

What antique items do you have at home?

I am a self-confessed hoarder, it’s one of the reasons I started in the trade as I couldn’t give up hunting for antiques when technically I had room for no more. I am proud to stay that most of the furniture I own is antique or vintage. It’s come from skips, shops, auctions all over and I loved finding every single bit of it. Why buy new when you can often buy better with an antique that will be personal to you?

What do you think will be the antiques of the  future?

I would like to think that people are becoming more aware of environmental factors, therefore I hope that there will be a shift to valuing items that are well made and designed by craftsman rather than short-term fixes and trends that won’t last the test of time.

How is the industry changing and is it a good thing?

Change is always a good thing and I think the antiques trade has long been due a change. I am not a man, I am not of a certain age and I wear whatever I like and here I am sharing my opinion on antiques, that wouldn’t of happened maybe five, definitely not 10 years ago. The industry is still very male-dominated but times are a changing, at last!

Is new technology good for the trade buyers and collectors?

Definitely, yes, my business began on Instagram. It’s where I share all of my stock on a regular basis and allows people to see a little bit of what life is like as an antique dealer, which I think can sometimes be eye opening and needed realisation.

Tell us some trade secrets?

Do the leg work and the hours, set those alarms and get up and out early!

What antiques/ artwork would you buy if money was no object?

Always original signage, hand-painted, beaten up old signs always catch my eye and steal my heart.

Favourite antique hunting destination?

The places people don’t go! If a shop is neat and tidy sometimes I won’t go in, I want the places where you can’t see the floor and you have to rummage to find the hidden treasures.

What are some of the biggest mistakes that buyers make?

They wait, there is no worse pain than the feeling of missing out. Or they have to go and ask a partner, if you like it follow your gut because the very best stuff never hangs around for long.