De-Light-ful Deals: Lighting fixtures are the best value in estate sale shopping

It’s no secret that you can save money by shopping estate sales. Just like cars, most brand-new housewares, furniture and home accessories drop in value once they leave the retail store. At our sales, we sell pre-owned merchandise and thus are able to pass this cost savings along to our customers. But, there are some things that retain their value better than others, and we’re happy to shed some light on that subject! (Pun intended!)

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This dramatic crystal chandelier from a recent Brentwood-area sale is a great example. Fixtures of this size, type and quality retail for tens of thousands of dollars at popular lighting retailers.  It’s easy to understand why; the sparkle and drama of a huge crystal chandelier makes a beautiful and timeless statement that instantly upgrades the look of any home.

At our sale, this fixture listed for much less than the retail price, but here’s where the value comes in–it was in the exact same condition as the day it was purchased. Classic ceiling lighting fixtures typically don’t incur much, if any, wear and tear. And lighting fixtures defy trends; this fixture wouldn’t have looked out-of-place 50 years ago, nor is it likely to look dated 50 years from now. Now that’s a deal!

While the condition of some items (for example, fabric-covered furniture) deteriorates with time and use, this isn’t typically true of lighting. An exception would be cords or shades on table lamps. However, replacing wiring or cords on vintage or antique fixtures is a simple matter; cord “kits” are available at Home Depot and a new cord can replace a frayed one in a matter of minutes.  And replacing a shade is easy; we tend to have a lot of them at our sales or big box retailers like Target carry them at low prices.

With the availability and abundance of both ceiling and table lighting fixtures at our sales, we can say with confidence that there’s no reason to ever buy a new lighting fixture.

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Here are a few great examples available at Michael Taylor At Home, where we showcase a tremendous variety of table and ceiling fixtures, from contemporary to antique. If you are looking to upgrade the look of your home AND get the most value for your dollar, we cannot recommend starting with lighting strongly enough!

Come see us this week at our 4 great sales in Madison, Old Hickory, Franklin and Thompson’s Station…or at Michael Taylor At Home. We’re happy to help you find a great new light fixture (at a great price!).

My best,

Michael Taylor And Company

Here’s Your Sign! Funny signs you definitely won’t see at our sales…

At Michael Taylor Estate and Moving Sales, we pride ourselves in our best-in-business practices, including our printed signage.

Ready...set...go!
Keeping it classy!

As a professional operation, we hold ourselves to the highest standards but we aren’t above having a laugh with (not at, we respect everyone!) the do-it-yourself-ers who take a lighter approach. Hey, we know better than anyone that putting on a sale is a hard job, and we see the funny side, too. Here are a few signs that we definitely won’t be using, but made us laugh anyway:

Photo credit: neverclassy.com
Photo credit: neverclassy.com

It’ll be huuuuuge! Well, we can’t get political, but it looks like they’ve got some hair-raising deals at this sale…

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Hey, it’s Lionel Ritchie…he actually lived here in Nashville when he was recording his country album and we know he’s a fan of local culture, so maybe he’d appreciate a sign like this? Funny stuff, but I think we’ll stick to our standard signs.

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Simpsons fans will appreciate this one. We’ve all had that “take all my money” moment when we see something great at a sale!

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Sometimes the truth is…too much?

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This one’s for you, Star Wars fans! May the force be with you and help you find amazing treasures at low, low prices!

Photo credit:
Photo credit: Jennifer Allwood, www.themagicbrush.com

Just trying to help good ol’ mom out of her hoarder situation! Hope she has a good sense of humor…

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We couldn’t agree more with the sentiment behind this one. You deserve it! And we’ve got 5 great sales this week just FULL of amazing stuff…check the listings on our home page for locations, dates and photos. Of special note is our Red Carpet Sale in Manchester, TN–just a short hour’s drive from the Metro area. That sale has a really unusual assortment of chinoiserie, clocks, antiques, glassware, patio furniture and much more.

We can’t wait to see you there….just follow the (informative and professionally printed) signs!

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company

 

Summer Tips for Successful Estate Sale Shopping

 

 

Ah, the great outdoors! Are you wearing your bug spray and sunscreen?
Ah, an estate sale in the great outdoors! Are you wearing your bug spray and sunscreen?

Is it hot enough for you? Summer is here for sure in Tennessee, and that’s great news for estate sale fans. This time of year boasts the largest number of estate sales, barn sales, tent sales…you name it! There’s lots of shopping fun to be had, but it’s also a time of year when you need to plan ahead and take a few precautions so that you don’t run into trouble when you’re on the hunt for discounted treasures.

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Warmer temps mean that sales are held outdoors as well as inside. When you’re picking through items that have been stored in barns or sheds, you might want to bring along a pair of gloves to protect your hands from dirt, rust, splinters…and the occasional spider. A little good planning helps make the experience safer and more fun.

Park smart and avoid trouble! It's worth the effort.
Park smart and avoid trouble! It’s worth the effort.

Estate sale parking can be challenging, especially with larger summertime crowds. Neighborhoods are rarely designed for the influx of vehicles that a sale can attract, and often times people are in a rush to park and get inside to shop. However, it’s important to remember that there’s not ANY deal that’s worth a scraped bumper. Take special care in older neighborhoods with narrow streets (Inglewood) or inside condominium complexes not to park on both sides of the street–there must always be a clear path for emergency vehicles. Summer often brings heavy rains; if an area looks muddy, be extra careful about parking your vehicle!

Yeah, that's how you roll your ankle on the uneven terrain or rickety basement stairs at an estate sale. Wear closed-toed shoes!
Yeah, that’s how you roll an ankle on the uneven lawn or rickety basement stairs at an estate sale.

Can we talk about flip flops? We love our flip flops in the summertime…but they are a hazard at estate sales. Often, older houses have uneven flooring, or steep/slippery/narrow basement and attic stairs. Navigating narrow hallways in a crowd of estate sale shoppers while wearing flip-flops can be dangerous to your toes! Please consider saving the flip flops for the beach, and wear your closed-toed shoes to the sales.

Hydrate, hydrate! We'll have the lemonade waiting for you at our summer sales.
Hydrate, hydrate! We’ll have the lemonade waiting for you at our summer sales.

Summer estate sales are often hot…especially outdoor barn and tent sales! Be sure to stay hydrated in warm weather. We offer complimentary lemonade, coffee and ice water at all of our sales, so please be sure to take advantage of this.

Keep bugs and sunburn at bay!
Keep bugs and sunburn at bay!

If you’re out at estate sales, it’s good to keep a bottle of sunscreen and bug spray handy. With the warmer weather, often times we will have items for sale outdoors; and y’all know that mosquitos are out in force this time of year. A little spray will help keep ’em away!

Join the fun and line up early!
Join the fun and line up early!

If you really want to beat the heat, arrive early. Our sales open at 8:00 a.m., and folks generally start lining up on the first day at about 7:00 a.m. It’s generally as cool outside as it’s going to be at that time, and there are lots of friendly people to chat with in line.  We really do have the best customers and we love seeing them each week!

Check our estate sale listings (link on our home page) for where we’ll be, and come join us for great deals and a glass of lemonade. See you there!

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company

 

Behind the Scenes: Setting the Sale!

Believe it or not, this closet will be clean, organized and ready to shop in a few short days!
Where’s Waldo?? Believe it or not, this closet will be clean, organized and ready to shop in a few short days!

It’s no secret that we host some of Nashville’s largest estate and moving sales. While many local firms also handle single family homes, our area of specialization–and we really shine here!–is in liquidating the contents of larger properties. We have the experience, staff volume and knowledge to set even the largest of sales in 3-4 days. One of the most frequently asked questions we get from estate sale clients is, “Will you be ready to go on time?” because they can’t believe that we can clean, organize and set up large and complicated sales in such a short time frame. But, we get it done!

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Supplies are key, and we bring them to each sale. Cleaning supplies, trash bags, light bulbs, extra lighting, air fresheners…we bring it all in and get right to work!

Sometimes treasure, sometimes trash. We sort it out!
Sometimes treasure, sometimes trash. We sort it out!

Every sale has some items that need to be thrown out to ensure that the property is clean and the areas in the home are shopable. Some homes will have larger items in need of disposal; in these cases, we call in a dumpster to make clean-up easier.

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And then once the cleaning is done, we start setting the sale. All furniture, accessories, etc. are arranged and priced for easy shopping.

This guy! (Hey, we've got to have a little fun...)
This guy! (Hey, we’ve got to have a little fun…)

And once the sale is all set, we try out the bathtubs! Ha ha…no, we totally do NOT do that; our fearless leader, Michael Taylor, is just joking around in there.

Tool guy/gal alert!
Tool guy/gal alert!

This particular sale (located in Brentwood, TN, starting Friday, 7/1 and running through Monday 7/4) has something for everyone–from antiques to Craftsmen tools and cabinets.

Need glassware, crystal or barware? We've gotcha covered!
Need glassware, crystal or barware? We’ve gotcha covered!

We’ll have tons of glassware, crystal and bar accessories. The homeowner was a former antique dealer, as well, so we have some really great antiques.

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Lighting, candlesticks and crystal pieces are a special feature of this sale.

You are definitely going to need a ladder to reach the top shelf!
You are definitely going to need a ladder to reach the top shelf, Michael!

Not to mention, these 12-foot tall cabinets (set of 2). Michael is in the photo to provide scale; he’s well over 6 ft tall. These are huge cabinets!

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More china, glassware and lighting! This really is a huge sale. Antique dealers, take note!

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Plus, we’re selling a boat. Boats, cars, jet skis…if the seller has a clear title, we’re always happy to add it to the sale! These items usually move VERY fast, so be there early if you’re looking for a vehicle or watercraft.

Ready...set...go!
Ready…set…go!

Our last step before opening a sale is to get out our signage…after that, we’re open for business and ready to go!

Information and more photos about this Brentwood-area sale are available under the “Estate Sale Listings” tab on the home page of our website. It’s truly a don’t-miss sale and we look forward to seeing you there!

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and the struggle is real. What to get good old Dad? He’s probably got enough barbeque grill paraphernalia, neck ties, travel mugs and “Our Dad’s The Greatest!” t-shirts, right?

This year, take your gifting game up a notch with something different, unique and totally unexpected. We’ve got some great stuff that he’ll never see coming.

Is Dad a classy guy? How about one of these two new-in-box Yema brand stainless steel watches for 20% off $125?  Yema is a French subsidiary of Seiko and known for European quality and style. Or is Dad more of a fan of classic rock?  This vintage Boston logo belt buckle will take him back to his rocker dude days. Hey, he’s still cool! (right??) It’s 20% off $20. And, we don’t condone smoking, but this antique cigarette/cigar box would make for a fantastic desktop catchall box for Dad’s spare change and receipts.

If he’s an outdoorsman, how about this hand-carved and hand-painted duck decoy? It’s a great accent piece for his office or man cave, and 20% off of $345. Speaking of the great outdoors, campers will love this vintage multi-purpose utensil set for 20% off of $45. Plus, we offer an assortment of vintage and antique pocket knives and lighters and we’ve got great examples at a variety of price points; ask gallery manager Jerry to help you find just the right piece.

If the Dad in your life is a guy who loves the History Channel, how about this merchant marine certificate; an interesting piece of Titanic-related memorabilia for 20% off of $95? Or, wish him luck with these carved jade elephants, 20% off of $125.  Another idea is to add a vintage Coke bottle caddy with the original bottles to his bar or Coke collection, 20% off $150.

Whether you’re shopping for Dad, or looking to decorate your interior spaces, we’d love to see you this week at Michael Taylor at Home!

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company

 

New Vs. Vintage

Decorating can be daunting, to say the least. Big box furniture retailers and chain stores offer the concept of “buying the room”, where they sell you a matching set of trendy new furniture for discount prices. One-stop-shopping, right?

We aren’t opposed to trends, or new furniture, but we find that there are several key reasons to consider purchasing vintage, antique or estate items rather than defaulting to a room-to-go.

1. What goes around, comes around. Mid-century modern styles that were popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s are once again popular. Knockoffs of 1950’s dressers, dining room sets and coffee tables abound in popular furniture stores; both low and high-end. But guess what? There’s a lot of authentic mid-century styled items—the real deal!—on the market in estate sales and in antique stores. We see them weekly in our estate sales and feature them at Michael Taylor At Home.

2. Quality matters. Antique or vintage fine furniture is often made with quality hardwoods like cherry, maple, and oak, whereas cheaper new furniture is frequently made of pine, pressed wood, or laminates. Older furniture is often put together with dovetailed joints, a feature that adds strength to drawers. New furniture is often constructed with cheaper methods. While some antiques can be delicate, there’s a reason so many have survived for so long!

3. It’s really not more expensive. Remember our warehouse clearance sale this year, where we had deals up to 75% off? Here at the Michael Taylor Company, we challenge the belief that antiques or vintage furniture is “too pricey”.  Local antique dealers shop our estate sales to stock their booths and stores; but anyone can get those deals and save on the antique store mark-up! If estate sales aren’t your thing, our retail store provides 6,000 sq ft of shopping with a convenient location and hours that work for busy people.

4. It’s green. Reduce, reuse, recycle…right?  When you buy antique or vintage rather than new, you’re making a great decision for the environment. Purchasing existing items rather than supporting the manufacture and sale of new is one of the ways that you help conserve our planet’s resources. Not to mention…you’re supporting local jobs and small business in the community in which you live. Who doesn’t feel good about that?

5. Vintage tells stories. While none of us want to live in a museum, having a few items in your home that tell the story of an earlier era can spark conversation with your guests, or bring back memories. People often point out items in our estate sales and gallery and remark that their grandparents had a similar one. Things from earlier times remind us of family, days gone by, and where we come from, create a special environment. As they say…home is where the heart is!

Ready to shop yet? We’ve got 5 great estate sales this week in Franklin, Brentwood, Clarksville (glad to be back in Clarksville, we love our Clarksville shoppers!) and metro Nashville. Thanks to everyone who came out last week to Michael Taylor At Home for our huge semiannual warehouse sale; this week we will be closed to re-set and refresh our Gallery I and Gallery II spaces with new-to-us inventory. And congrats to Matt Mercy, winner of our $350 gift certificate. We’ll be doing more giveaways this summer so if you didn’t win, stay tuned for future opportunities!

In next week’s blog post, we’ll have lots of Father’s Day gift ideas. You know he’s got all the barbeque grill accessories and neckties he can handle…we’ll help you find something unique and different!

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company

Estate sale shopping strategies: Tips from the experts!

Ever wonder how people seem to find the perfect item at a great price at estate sales? Do they have a special “in” or secret? We’ve found that planning and strategy make all the difference when it comes to estate sale shopping.

Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks to get the most from your estate sale shopping experience:

1. Arrive early. In the busy summer season, for the best deals, you will want to arrive up to an hour prior to the sale opening time to get a place in line. Here in Nashville, it’s customary to bring a shopping bag or box to mark your place in line if you wish to wait for a bit in the comfort of your car…but get ready to line up in person as the sale time approaches.

2. Take advantage of discounts. While most sales start at full-price on the first day, the price will drop on subsequent days. If you’re looking for a real deal, head out to shop on the last day of the sale. (Hint: at Michael Taylor, we offer a 20% off code good on the FIRST day of our estate sales to email list subscribers…subscribe and save!)

3. Don’t like the price? Leave a bid. If you fall in love with an item, but the price is more than you prefer to spend…most sales offer the option to fill out a written bid form with your best price. At a certain point in the sale, the estate sale staff will evaluate unsold merchandise. If your bid meets their requirements, they will contact you by phone and let you know that you’ve got a deal!

4. Keep measurements handy. With estate sales, the time to buy it is when you see it, but knowing that a furniture piece is the right size will help you make confident buying decisions. We have tape measures available at all of our sales to help you figure out if the perfect dining room table will fit your space, but it’s best if you have the dimensions of the piece you’re looking for with you.


5. Bring a friend! Our estate sales are packed with great items. A shopping buddy can help you lift and load items, and is another set of eyes to help you find just what you’re looking for. Plus, it’s more fun to shop with a friend.

6. Shop for the opposite season. Christmas stuff is less popular in July, and we’ve got lots of lawnmowers for great prices in January. Buy for the next season, and you’ll save money for sure.

And remember…the more sales you visit, the more likely you are to find the treasure you’re looking for. Get out there and have fun…we’ll see you at the sales!

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company

 

Updating Your Outdoor Spaces with Estate Finds

Spring has arrived here in Nashville! It’s time to freshen up porches and patios, but how do you re-create the designer looks featured in decorating magazines?

Whether your decorating style is vintage or contemporary, we’re the experts on sourcing everything from retro garden accessories to modern outdoor seating. Here are a few ideas for using estate items to enhance your outdoor landscape…

Vintage concrete and cast iron planters add charm and curb appeal to outdoor spaces. The weathered patina of these planters lends rustic elegance to front entryways and porches. Widely available at our estate sales AND our Michael Taylor at Home gallery, they are an era-appropriate complement to historic homes, or give a touch of retro charm to new construction.

Fill them with annuals now, and switch out seasonal flowers for pumpkins and mums in the fall.

Now is the time to enjoy meals outdoors with family and friends. Add a cast-iron patio set to your patio, or a painted wood farm table to your porch. Accessorize with a vintage thermos, or 1950’s-era ice bucket. Mixing old and new is how you add a personal, fun aesthetic to your outdoor décor.

Don’t be afraid to add a whimsical touch to your outdoor space! A vintage bicycle or a cast concrete statue are great focal points for a porch; accessorize with florals for a unique vignette.

From topiaries to tablescapes, we’ve got a 6,000 sq ft gallery full of unique ideas and inspiration for spring! There’s something new to see every week; come in and let us help you put together a look for your home.

My best,

Michael Taylor and Company