Wanted: Retro Furniture

In my quest for a new life I am seriously contemplating turning my hobby into a new career as a 20th Century furniture dealer specialising in G Plan, Ercol, Eames, Panton, Welch etc. My question to forum members is do you know of any good antiques markets, flea markets, boot sales in your local areas (not neccessarily London) which might be a good source of second hand furniture/ Lighting / ceramics / fabrics. Any leads much appreciated.

While I'm at it, I will have a teak 1970's G-Plan coffee table for sale next week, PM for details if it might be your cup of tea. Thanks

PS: ebay and Gumtree are saturated before anyone suggests it!

http://www.dmgantiquefairs.com/

Thanks for that lolster

Speak with Organicorigin on the forum.

great, will do thanks

Try Graham Mancha

also try using the word retro correctly, otherwise you'll be dealing in lots of new furniture made in the style of yesteryear.

Thanks Markyboy, looks like he's got some good shit, problem is he's where I need to be as in that stuff is already found, bought and marked up for sale, it's the places to source I'm after.

@RPM good point however I do know my stuff, just need to expand where I get it from. 'Retro' is possibly not the best word, yet 'antique' is'nt either. 'Previously enjoyed modernist furniture' maybe?

retro is correct in this context, all dealers of g-plan/ercol etc badge themselves as retro.

'Mid-Century Modern' is probably the best term to use.

Try the YMCA furniture shop in Staines, they get stuff like that in all the time. You just have to check regularly.

Good call, I have a regular little place like that in east London I go to, it's basically waiting for old people to pop their clogs which feels a little mercinary but there you go

should be able to pick up ercol and g plan from the small ads, local papers, loot etc or you could try getting in touch with local house clearance companies

I would imagine getting more quality stuff at the right price would be much trickier, a small dealer near me trawls round europe for a couple of weeks at a time filling his van along the way,(the strong euro is going to up the costs though)

if you want generic stuff it's out there just put in the leg work, if you want high end architect designed pieces you need contacts, a lot of cash and then you need to know buyers who will pay the prices.
i take it from the word retro your after generic pieces, thats a lot of work for very little return, g plan sells for nothing, you can buy cheap but you don't make much.ercol is a little better but even car boot people know what is.you'll find it very difficult to pay rent on a shop selling that kind of stuff.

if you open shop in manchester do it somewhere like didsbury, go for a lifestyle element, then you don't need to go for high end you can just sell stuff that look like named pieces.

if you want generic stuff it's out there just put in the leg work, if you want high end architect designed pieces you need contacts, a lot of cash and then you need to know buyers who will pay the prices.
i take it from the word retro your after generic pieces, thats a lot of work for very little return, g plan sells for nothing, you can buy cheap but you don't make much.ercol is a little better but even car boot people know what is.you'll find it very difficult to pay rent on a shop selling that kind of stuff.

if you open shop in manchester do it somewhere like didsbury, go for a lifestyle element, then you don't need to go for high end you can just sell stuff that look like named pieces.

Thats good advice thanks. I buy alot (new) through my current job and so can get good trade discounts on new Eames etc which I am hoping will help support the vintage stuff as I can still do it when I leave.

I've been making reasonable mark up on G plan etc as a hobby but you are right the leg work probably negates the profit a lot of the time, guess there is a huge difference between doing it because I enjoy it and making a living. Think my escape plan back to the north needs a lot of consideration.

Try talking to Chris from Modern Metropolis in Earlsfield and I have some G-plan sidetables n dressing tables, magazine rack and some other bits garaged if your interested

Thanks, will do, would be interested to see what you have. Are you in London? maybe we could arrange a time for a look or maybe you have some pictures?

restoring and re-upholstering g-plan might be a way to go.
I have a set of wing-back lounge-chairs that i'll be doing in leather when funds permit. if you find a friendly upholsterer i think there's a market for redoing the old PVC covered stuff in luxury leather.

Sounds good although I guess the leather and labour does'nt come cheap

Guy that worked at the same company as me years ago runs this not much help if you want to buy but it may give you some ideas.

http://www.hipprops.com/

Ade,
I source most of my mid century items form Denmark and Sweden, prices there are very good. If you want more info, let me know.
Cheers
Mark

Guy that worked at the same company as me years ago runs this not much help if you want to buy but it may give you some ideas.

http://www.hipprops.com/

Now that is a good idea for a company

Ade,
I source most of my mid century items form Denmark and Sweden, prices there are very good. If you want more info, let me know.
Cheers
Mark

v.interested yes, have messaged you

my girlfriends has this in her place in london... gonna plonk it on the 'bay

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomcutting/sets/72157622767535258/

fraid it's not eames or gplan though - a buddy of mine has a garage full of gplan stuff, will try and get a list

How much does an Eames club chair and ottoman go for trade?

Vitra?