Mantiques

My husband Matt, helps out the fellas by explaining how he puts up with my obsession with antique shopping.

Being married to someone whose passion is home design comes with many highs and lows. The highs come in the form of an immaculately decorated apartment, while the lows tend to appear as the world’s largest and most diverse collection of photo frames and an inordinate number of visits to vintage décor, antique stores and flea markets. Swings and round-abouts I suppose. Rather than begrudgingly go on visits to these design treasure troves, I now embrace them as a chance to unleash my own inner creative and relive some great memories. So, here’s my guide to ‘Mantique’ shopping.

Feel free to use it for;

1. Interesting present ideas for the guys in your life,
2. Anyone looking to unleash their inner-nerd, or
3. The psychologists/psychotherapists out there amongst you – the opportunity to use this article as your very own diagnosis case study!

1. Vintage Toys

Nothing at a flea market or antique store catches my eye more than a vintage toy that I used to own, or one that I wished I’d owned as a kid. For me, this is generally anything fanboy – Star Wars, Marvel/DC Comics, He-Man, and anything vintage that has 4 wheels and/or the words ‘Tonka’ on the side. Anyone who remembers the joys of ‘Battle-Armor He-Man & Skeletor’, or the pure jealousy of your neighbour getting the full working ‘Millenium Falcon’ or ‘Turtle Blimp’ will appreciate this. A few finds from our latest expeditions…

2. Sports Memorabilia and Cards

My love for American sports was fueled at a young age by NBA Basketball cards and a collection of Highlights videos showcasing my favourite player Dominique Wilkins. Clearly, the joy (read addictiveness) of opening a new pack of cards and hoping for that illusive ‘insert’ does not diminish, as every time I’m in one of these stores I am drawn like a moth to a flame – to the Sports section – which is often filled with cards that would’ve made me the envy of every 4^th grader at the school. As a great present for any sports fan, buy them an unopened pack or box of vintage cards from their favourite sport and watch their face fill with glee as they madly rummage through the common cards to find their first Rookie or Insert. For sports memorabilia items, check out Australian store HTFM Framing and Memorabilia.

Another option would be to track down any vintage sports memorabilia like these hats or glasses:

3. Watches and Clocks

Seeking a more socially acceptable hobby for someone who is in their thirties, I have discovered a love for vintage watches and clocks, and at flea markets and antique stores there seems to be an unending supply. As a result, in my opinion, all homes should have an oversize station clock somewhere on their wall. Not a digital or modern piece; but a classically styled, mechanical, roman numeral bearing clock that takes up a considerable portion of wall.

4. Bikes, Trikes and Scooters

I gave up on Mountain Bikes after an over-the-handlebars experience at an ‘Adventure Camp’ in Year 10, but since seeing the amazing collection of vintage 50’s, 60’s and 70’s bikes and trikes by Schwinn, Fuji and Trek in the vintage stores, my appreciation for these roadsters has been restored.

The only moment of design inspiration I’ve ever had, came when I spotted a vintage scooter at a flea market and could picture it mounted on the wall of a kids or games room.

5. Old Musical Instruments

Brass instruments are not just the focal point of an orchestra, they are also clearly on the wish list of all good antique store owner out there. This leads me to one of two conclusions; vintage instruments are in such demand as a decorator piece that they move off the shelves, or, a lot of trumpet players end up running flea markets. My orchestral history suggests that in the interest of all involved, any instrument that I buy is probably best used as decoration rather than for its original purpose. Here’s a few that I’ve spotted along the way:

Safe in the assumption that everyone has at least one IKEA 4×4 Expedit bookcase in their household, this blog acts as a call to action – it’s time for at least 1 of those 16 ‘boxes’ to be re-claimed from the existing collection of photo frames and decorative crystal bowls, to a genuine ‘Mantique’. What would you fill yours with?

– Matt