Editorial and Photography By: Ellen Vanbeek Berry
Antiques and old-world charm bring me joy. It’s the warmth I feel when surrounded by early painted furniture burned with years of built-up patina. I am in my happy place when surrounded by old textiles, quilts, samplers, folk art etc.… It is all beautiful to me. If they could only speak if years gone by. The best antique I have ever purchased was the house I call home. It is an 1860 simple 1.5 story farmhouse in Haldimand county.
I purchased it in 2015. It was in “as found” condition. You could say it was a diamond in the rough. It was clad with a red insulbrick. The inexpensive siding of its day if you wanted the look of red brick but not the expense. It was put over the original 1860 covering of the home, a very worn wooden board and batten. The home was a “purist dream”. Little had been fixed up and all maintenance in its lifetime was minimal.
Little or no change from 1860! Pure and true to its form. You knew what was right and wrong about it. It was the beginning of my new project and my new life. It brought my love of antiques back to life for me. I kept most of the inside of the house as original as possible. Most of the plaster walls were kept. Smoothed out with some repair and repainted.
The kitchen had the most work. Some jacking up to level the floor. The walls were drywalled and painted. The kitchen cupboards were a combination of old cabinets for uppers and new more updated cabinetry for the bottoms. Some new plumbing and electrical were much needed. The attic (1/2 story above the kitchen) was cleaned up, wiring added, insulated and dry walled. All the original pine floors were painted.
The 19 months to get it ready flew by. The painting and cleaning up finally cleared the way for decorating. When it was mostly ready for move in the house was quickly filled with all my collections of antiques and old stuff. The house started to become a home. It was like sitting in another time. It was a dream come true for me. And antique filled with antiques. It made me want to start sharing and selling again. I love sharing my joy of antiques with like minded people. I’ve learned a lot over the years. I know enough to be dangerous. What I know best is I’m always learning by listening to many of the dealers I know.
Soon after moving in, I started to clean out and paint the 1860 drive shed. No plans just a vision. I though I would start slowing by opening for a month with what I had brought with me from my previous house. I had dealt in antiques for quite a few years participating in many antique shows I collect as well as sell.
My love is old painted Canadiana furniture, old fabric, quilts, samplers, and old folk art. The month of October 2018 was the beginning. It was an exciting month. I knew I wanted to pursue a part time fun antique shop. I love the people, the conversations and watching someone leave with a much-loved piece! I started to see old friends from years gone by and re-connected with fellow dealers. As the next few year went, I added hours. Navigating through Covid was tricky. I moved a lot of the shop outside to make everyone feel safer. I am on the search all the time for antique furniture and smalls fitting in with the overall Canadiana presentation in the shop. I mostly like to find pieces for the shop out of homes. I frequent auctions online and on site when I can. Many times, pieces are recycled through my house. I borrow them for a bit then they make it into the shop eventually. The shop is part time, weekends only. This year the hours will go back to the pre-Covid hours of twice a month, weekends only.
Company is Coming This Weekend at the Yellow Farmhouse!
This year the plan is to grow the show to 15 exhibitors. Currently there is no show in the Hamilton/ Niagara/ Haldimand and Norfolk area. Visitors to the show have come from as far as Dufferin County, Cambridge, Bracebridge, Elgin County, and North of Guelph. Dealers come to participate from all over too. The show is a one-day show from 10-4. The addition of two shows has added much interest. It is a joint effort with all the dealers participating sharing in the expense to run the show.
With the cancellation of Christie, it was a perfect time to introduce a smaller and more personable show with a well-rounded choice of good dealers attracting all levels of collectors. It is an easy show to visit and spend some time chatting with old friends about everything old! The plan is to keep it fun. The dealers come with new treasures every year keeping it fresh. I enjoy the show from the planning up to and the event day. I hope to keep it going as long as the dealers want to participate. This years show dates are June 3 and Sept 16. These dates fall between the new Cookstown show, the Aberfoyle show and the Woodstock show. This way the dealers can participate in all of them if they choose to and visitors have a good choice of shows to attend. Watch for my frequent posts with enticing photos before the shows. There is something for everyone.
Hope to see you then.
A few Images from Last Years Show!
Photography By: Dr. Christopher Cooper
Old Home Living 