My last post started with the notion that furnishing a new apartment or dorm could easily be accomplished with a couple of visits to antique stores. Basic items purchased at reasonable prices with an eye toward quality, usefulness and potential profit, could readily be found. We selected the Fox Lake County Antique Mall in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin for its typical size and variety of dealers, plus the bonus of having a new consignment area. We found approximately 95 dealers in 150 spaces, occupying booths and showcases and located in an upscale suburban communiity. This mall represents a good example of a well-run, friendly, knowledgeable staff and a wide selection of vintage items. The type that attracts buyers from several surrounding states.
After the basics that I suggested in my last posting, I’ll continue to illustrate useful items for that new castle of yours. Keep in mind that we’re looking for near perfection in items that have already withstood the test of time.
I’ve always like advertising boxes of various sizes as storage units and happily found a good selection. The American Soda case already had record 
albums stored in side, and that’s exactly how I would use an old soda case.
Old drawers from sewing machine cabinets, or like these examples, from a desk, offer stackable storage. The three here are perfect for CDs or DVDs.
An old ice box, although on the more expensive side, makes a great storage unit (our own acts as a canned goods cupboard in our back hall.)
Stacked suitcases work well in a corner to keep little used or seasonal clothing, blankets and even tax records or other papers, stored and out of site. Add a lamp to the top of the stack to brighten a dark corner.
Wall decor was in abundance, but these items struck me as useful. Print drawers are easily found and very handy for displaying small collections when hung on a wall. It could also be stored under a bed or sofa to hold trinkets or jewelry, placing the items in the dividers to keep them from tangling together.
Then there are whimsical examples of framed prints cut from old books, magazines, or sheet music, which offer inexpensive wall hangings. You’ll often find these in the $10-20 range. Examples of Coke ads, especially from Christmas, tend to run higher.
Dish sets and table ware are always in abundance and the blue and white example is plentiful and offers a wide variety of serving pieces too. Barware and kitchen glassware along with serving bowls and kitchen accessories can be found in virtually every mall.
We’d like to thank the staff of this fine mall, Donn, the manager, and co-workers, Larry, Jerry and Deb, for pointing us in the right direction and helping us with our quest.
