Use this cheat sheet to score the best vintage items for your home.
Don’t pass up these timeless finds and valuable antiques! Here are the furniture pieces, accessories and decor items you should search for at estate sales — and how to fix ’em up when you bring them home.
Wingback Chairs
Soaring in popularity since the 1600s, its “wings” were designed to block smoke from the fireplace.
We love it for:Â Its heft. A wingback chair has enough presence to act as a decorative counterpoint to a sofa. Place it (still) near a fireplace.
Update it with:Â Upholstery in a large-scale pattern. Or try a two-tone approach: Solid (or small-scale) on the inside; large-scale pattern on the back.
Demilunes
This 18th-century staple of French drawing rooms is known for its wall-hugging “half moon” shape. (Jackie O was a fan.)
We love it for:Â Its compactness. Try it in an entry, in a hallway, repurposed as a vanity in a powder room, or flank a window with a pair.
Update it with:Â Paint. In a small space, consider coating it with the same color as the adjacent wall.
Settees
Often referred to as a love seat (designed to accommodate large skirts, not lovebirds!), this two- seater dates to the 17th century.
We love it for:Â Its versatility. Try one at the foot of the bed, on one side of a dining table, or below the stairs in an entry.
Update it with:Â A plush (and durable) cotton-velvet in a statement-making solid color. Or offset an ornate shape with simple stripes.
Dough Bowls
Used for making bread, these hand-carved bowls (sometimes called trenchers) were passed down for generations.
We love it for:Â Seasonal elements. As with the cloche (see far right), you can swap out natural items (pumpkins, pinecones, moss) as desired.
Update it with:Â Its one-and-done decorative punch. Place it on a kitchen island, an entry table, or on a dining table as a centerpiece.
Silver
The precious metal has been coveted for centuries. Silverware sets became popular in the 1600s and 1700s.
We love it for: Its heirloom cred. A full flatware set is a shopper’s Holy Grail — even better if monogrammed. Old trophies are prizes in their own right.
Update it with: Ketchup. (Seriously.) Submerge tarnished flatware in it for 5 to 10 minutes, remove, rinse with warm water and buff dry.
From:Â Country Living US
The use of door knockers goes back centuries before electricity made doorbells ubiquitous. People used to announce their arrival at a friend or stranger’s front door by lifting a door knocker and rapping it smartly against the contraption’s strike plate. They are usually made of cast iron, bronze or brass.  General, there were three types of door knockers – hammer knockers, figurative knockers and rings.
Door knockers instantly provide insight into a homeowner’s personality and tastes. Quirky, bold or folky door knockers come in endless varieties, from mythological figures or a ram’s head to a bunch of grapes, a winking Cheshire cat or a basket of flowers.
Additionally, they announce how important and historic a building is by how impressive or elaborate the door knocker is, such as the lion’s head door knocker at No. 10 Downing Street in London, the residence of the British prime minister.
They can also convey meaning, such as a lion symbolizing power and strength or in China, a dragon can also symbolize good fortune.  Christian symbols were often appropriated in Europe as a sign of perfection. In some cases, the maker pays attention to the striker, making it more ornate than the basic plated, while in some cases, the opposite is true and in the best knockers, both parts are actively embellished. Impressive wrought iron examples from Italy, France or Spain in the 15th Century designed to convey wealth and status are also highly collectible.
SAVE THE DATES:
Sat. May 4 and Sun.May 5th, 9am to 3pm
Pre-sale Event, Fri. May 3rd, 4pm to 7pm
$10 entry fee
ESTATE OF KAREN VAUGHAN
Interior Decorator , photo stylist and owner of Karen Vaughan formerly of Bellevue Ave. We are offering her personal collection, items from her Bellevue Ave design store and never before seen pieces.
More information to come – please check back Monday 4/22 for a link to all the details and photos of this exciting event!
This is a Pop-up event on Marlborough St in Newport
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND IMAGES, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.estatesales.net/RI/Newport/02840/2196339
Fri. April 26th, 2p – 6p and Sat. April 27th, 10a – 2p
IT IS RARE TO HAVE ITEMS OF THIS QUALITY AND CONDITION AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THESE PRICES. THIS SELECTION OF HIGH QUALITY, DESIGNER ITEMS ARE IN VERY GOOD TO NEAR NEW CONDITION AND THE PRICES ARE A FRACTION OF THEIR ORIGINAL COSTS. SO, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FURNITURE OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY FOR YOUR HOME OR YOUR CLIENT’S HOME, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING OFFERED THROUGH THIS BY APPOINTMENT SALE.
WE WILL BE ACCEPTING APPOINTMENTS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH BETWEEN 2PM – 6PM AND SATURDAY APRIL APRIL 27TH BETWEEN 10AM – 2PM. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT BY CALLING, 401/465-2115. LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH 2 PREFERRED TIMES, LEAVE US YOUR CELL PHONE # AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU TO CONFIRM.
TRESOR’S CLIENT WORKED WITH A DESIGNER AND SOME ITEMS WERE CUSTOM MADE. WE EITHER HAVE THE NAME OF THE FURNITURE DESIGNER OR THE VENDOR THROUGH WHICH THE ITEMS WERE PURCHASED. BELOW IS A LIST OF DESIGNER NAMES AND SHOPS. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND IMAGES GO TO,
https://www.estatesales.net/RI/Tiverton/02878/2181723
CURRENT SALE ITEMS:Â Â https://tresorestatesales.com/tresor-resale/
All items are in very good to near new condition.
Custom tiger maple dining table in the style of Dakota Jackson, 6- Dakota Jackson upholstered side chairs, 2- Dakota Jackson leather upholstered arm chairs, Calligaris “Hyper” opaque glass top dining table w/leather wrapped legs, 6-Calligaris brown leather side chairs, Rolf Benz cubed leather club chair, Rolf Benz Performance microfiber sectional sofa, Rolf Benz matching upholstered bench, Poliform 3 part wardrobe, dark oak with mirrored coplanar doors, Holly Hunt Japanese style paper lamps, custom “A” frame book case, Roche Bobois side table, pair of antique white iron twin beds, pair of Donghia Murano table lamps, Brunswick custom made solid mahogany and brass pool table ( made for a Boston based rock musician who never picked it up), 3 – Frag “Evia” leather counter height bar stools, leather Barcalounger recliner, Donghia Sage colored mohair velvet 3 cushion sofa, 98″L, vintage Jay Specter for Century Oak 7 drawer chest, Schonbek “Refrax” linear Swarovski Crystal Chandelier, West Elm “Austin” leather wives chair, Grange leather arts deco style 2 seat sofa,88″l. Presotto from Il Decor custom king size leather channel back headboard and platform bed, Presotto “Inside” from Il Decor 3 drawer lacquer bedside tables. CARPETS: there are 5 DellaRobbia Studio DR Collection New Zealand Wool abstract design carpets of various size and color.
2 Seaview Ave. Newport, RI
Fri. Mar.15, 4p-6p, Sat. Mar.16, 9a-2p Sun. Mar.17,9a-Noon
#1Â Commission Structure
While the amount of commission an estate sale company can earn isn’t regulated, you’ll find it’s pretty common that most estate sale companies earn their living based on a commission structure from the proceeds of an estate sale.The commissions will vary based on many factors including the size of an estate sale, anticipated gross revenue, type of items to be sold, and/or geographical location. One big variation you will find with commissions is whether labor is included or not included within the commission structure.There are no set estate sale regulations on commissions. Thus, each company will create their own commission structure and it should be clearly outlined in an estate sale contract to the client. Please read your contract thoroughly and ask your estate sale provider to explain the details of their commission structure.
#2Â Estate Sale Contract
Most professional estate sale agents will only perform a sale with a written estate sale contract. There are no estate sale industry guidelines on what type of contract to use, or a government accredited contract to follow.
Companies will establish a contract between them and the client which outlines all the details and responsibilities of all parties involved. It is a written agreement that protects both the client and the company. And, all parties will sign this binding document This step is key because a verbal agreement is not enough in terms of legal protection.
#3Â Estate Sale Marketing
Proper marketing is extremely important for estate liquidators, it’s their way of getting buyers to the front door.
There are no set rules for marketing estate sales, however companies do understand the importance of it, therefore the professional companies have established common procedures and guidelines they follow with every sale in order to generate estate sale leads and reach buyers. There may be additional cost associated for expanded advertising if the desire is to reach a specific target market. Please ascertain from your provider which print and online methods/sites they will use to advertise your sale and if any additional costs are specified. Any professional estate sale company will use all of the following to optimize the reach of their advertising of your sale.
- Website
- Local online business listings
- Social media marketing
- Estate sale listing sites
- Local Classifieds site such as Craigslist and Newspapers
- Email Marketing for Upcoming Estate Sales
#4Â First Come, First Served
Estate sales can be a competitive event for shoppers. People will line up really early to get first dibs on the items inside. One of the most common estate sale rules is “first come, first served”. Each company will establish their own guidelines on how to manage the process, but as a general rule, shoppers that arrive first, get to shop first. Shoppers are usually instructed as to what time the company will distribute number the morning of the sale, or clip board for sign up may be available or the first to arrive may begin their own casual sign up sheet.
Each companies process will vary. There will likely be something posted on their website, estate sale listing site or in their advertisements that indicate their process. That said, the only way to secure that must have item is to GET TO THE SALE EARLY AND PAY FOR YOUR DESIRED ITEM IMMEDIATELY.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!!
#5Â Pre-Selling to Shoppers
Some situations may require pre-selling or consigning of items, especially if certain items are highly desirable and/or extremely valuable.  Auction brokering or sales through dealer networks may make sense prior to the sale date, but as a general rule at estate sales, no pre-selling is allowed.
Again, since estate sale shopping is highly competitive, and a lot of effort is put into marketing the items to potential buyers, it’s considered poor business practice to have clients show up at the start of a sale and not find the item that was advertised. Please know that this may occur at times because the client changed their mind and didn’t want to include something in sale, but it’s a rare occurrence and not something an estate sale company can always control.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!!
#6Â Estate Sale Policies on Proper Conduct
Proper etiquette rules at estate sales are very common. If you visit an estate sale on any given weekend, you’ll find that clearly defined and possibly displayed throughout the home on signs. Here are some of ours:
- A zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful shoppers
- Shoppers are required to respect employees on site and vice versa
- Estate sale company reserves the right to refuse service to anyone
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- There is no negotiating of prices on the 1st day of a sale
- Clients bathrooms are unavailable to the public
- The furniture in the sale is not to be used for lounging/waiting.
- Where signs state “NO ENTRY” or cabinets secured, customers shall not enter
- Etc…
#7 Estate Sale Guidelines on Customer Payments
Because estate sale professionals must pay their clients quickly at the end of every sale, you’ll find many companies that accept cash only, some that accept cash and credit cards, and only a few that will accept a check as a form of payment at an estate sale. Some companies may choose to accept a check from a shopper they know and have previously sold to in the past. Rules should be posted on site as to check policies and which credit cards or online payment methods the company will accept.
Additionally, charging tax at estate sales is another variation you’ll find. Each state has its own tax requirements for estate sales.  Companies will follow their local rules and regulations based on jurisdiction.
What is an estate sale?
An estate sale refers to the sale of personal property, i.e. furniture, china, artwork, jewelry, household items, etc. It can involve the sale of partial or the entire contents of a household and is generally conducted within the home. On occasion the contents are at an alternate location and the sale is conducted off-site.
An estate sale may be needed after a loved one passes away, moves to an assisted living or other facility, or if one is downsizing or moving a current home as a result of divorce or some other lifestyle change.
What is the first step in the process?
Each sale is unique. First, Trésor provides you with a verbal or on-site consultation. We sit down with you to discuss your needs, and, we agree on what it is you wish to accomplish so that we may achieve your goals.
What are you fees?
Trésor Estate Sales charges a commission on what we sell. The commission ranges from 35% – 55% of the gross completed sales.
Services provided with this fee;
• Inventory.
• Research and pricing of items.
• Advertising and marketing.
• Staging of the home.
• Staffing including security
• Coordinating the clean out of the home (if required) including items remaining from the sale.
How do you know what to charge for my items?
With over 20 years of combined experience, we have expertise in the fields of:
• Antique, modern and contemporary furnishings.
• Pottery, porcelain, glassware and fine china.
• Vintage and contemporary automobiles
• Silver and Sterling Silver
• Fine Art, sculpture and prints.
• General household goods and sports equipment.
• Vintage and modern designer fashion.
• Fine and costume jewelry.
• So much more…
We are overwhelmed by all the stuff. Is there anything I can throw away?
We advise clients not to throw anything away until they have met with us. There is truth in the adage “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure ). Virtually anything can bring revenue at your estate sale.
What if there are items we wish to keep?
When meeting with us for the first time, be clear about the items you intend to keep so there are no misunderstandings. We often recommend you remove these items and put them in a secure designated location within the house.
Why should I hire Trésor Estate Sales?
We offer experience, integrity and professionalism. We handle all the details in a friendly, discrete manner and we provide prompt payment.
