Where Everything Old is Better Than New

When financial times get tough – now, for instance – shoppers revert into hunters and gatherers for the lowest prices in every area of retail.  When it comes to furnishing your home, and feeling comfortable whenever you need to just get away, the secret may be what you least expect: antiques.

Inside the works of antique furniture and art, there are years of care that emanate a calm, elegant fashion.  At Art and Antiques on Lake, customers come in seeking something that will make their home warm, and often get even more than that — the traditional style becomes a unique and outstanding piece of art.

In the earlier part of the past century and even well before that, furniture was made to last.  Today old world craftsmanship is frequently replaced with self-assembly of particle board jigsaw puzzles. Most people don’t realize that the good stuff isn’t far away.

“A lot of people think that antiques aren’t affordable or out of their price range.  That is a common misconception,” said Kathy Shifs partner at Art and Antiques on Lake.  “For the quality and classic styling that an antique piece has, a person could come into the store and buy something for a lot less than a new piece, and a piece of superior quality.”

Another way to look at it is that most of what Art and Antiques sells, from its Vintage California, American, and European Fine Art to its furniture and accessories, becomes a way to invest in your living space.

“Many times what markets go down and things lose value, art and antiques will increase or continue to hold their value, ” said Shifs, “It’s kind of like gold; at least you have a tangible asset, plus the bonus of enjoying your fine art and antiques.”

But unlike your stock investments, in furniture you’ve got more than just a slip of paper.  The key then, is making sure you can find your antiques at the right price and the common misconception is that because it’s older, that means it’s pricier.  The truth of the matter is that antiques are not that much more expensive than recently manufactured pieces that skimp on materials – many are even less.  Where the savings come in, though, is the time that they’ll outlast the assembly line material.

“Back then you bought it, and you lived with it the rest of your life, that’s how they made it. That’s why this stuff is a bargain,” said Ron Vander Molen, who co-owns Art and Antiques on Lake with Kathy Shifs.

The owners at Art and Antiques on Lake are always hunting for the best in fine art, furniture, lighting, etc., and the focus on quality remains No.1.  But our prices are always fair; we love to give our customers a lot of bang for their buck.

The shop’s customers will find the best variety and selection of Vintage California, American and European Traditional fine art in Pasadena, as well as neighboring cities.  “We have great quality at any price range, including the beginning collector on a limited budget,” says Ron Vander Molen.

“Art and Antiques make me happy. They warm up a house,” said Shifs.  “I don’t want to go into a house that looks like a cookie cutter.  I don’t want all my matchy, matchy furniture, or boring botanical prints.”

The goal of Art and Antiques on Lake, explains Vander Molen, isn’t just to present its customers with comfort at home, but to make them comfortable when they are shopping.  The store itself doubles as an art gallery for many customers who, not familiar with works of art, feel entranced by those hanging on the walls.  And the store makes sure to sell only actual artworks, not prints.

“We’re not an average antique shop, which will buy a mom and pop painting at the yard sale. We’re very, very much focused on quality,” said Vander Molen.  “So people come in here and they look at the art and see that beauty.”

There is a revolving door of articles in the store, from the furniture to the art and even to the frames, and that’s what makes the selection so engaging.  Art and Antiques on Lake is meant to give their guests the full experience, so they will want to take it home with them.

“I want them to come into my store and never expect the usual. I want them to see a great piece of art, a great piece of furniture, something eclectic, something fun. I want them to see all those things,” said Vander Molen.  “I want them to come to my shop as often as possible, and know that they will always see something fresh and beautiful!”

Art and Antiques on Lake is located at 60 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena. For more information call (626) 356-0222 or log onto www.artandantiquesonlake.com.