The proliferation of resale websites and apps—Marketplace and Kijiji at the top of the list—has brought the art of antiquing back into fashion more than ever. The duty spoke with experts and enthusiasts for whom the second hand is a philosophy of life.
As far back as she can remember, Catherine Lévesque has always enjoyed rummaging through antique shops and garage sales. Since becoming a museology technician, manual contact with objects and their stories have become part of her daily life. And the love of bazaars having not left her, she launched, in 2019, her Facebook page Patine&Poussière, where she offers accessories of all kinds that she unearths for her own pleasure. His logo also comes from a doily offered by his maternal grandmother, a pro at unearthing little treasures.
“My pleasure is to find things and offer them to others,” she explains. I also wanted to create a community, to bring together people who love vintage, but who don’t have time to rummage — whereas I love it! His advice for spotting treasures: look for the maker’s mark, avoid imitations, focus on textures, take the time to check if it’s really in good condition and see beyond the object. Catherine Lévesque gives as an example the lamps that she enjoys creating. “One day I find the lampshade, then the base some time later. I put them together, I polish certain details. I like the creative side [qui vient avec les trouvailles]. »
In their little book, My grandmother did the same. Restore antiquing, the authors, Anne Dufour and Catherine Dupin, offer various tips for cleaning or repairing objects altered by time without too much effort. “So don’t stop at appearances,” they say as an appetizer. To take an object is to revive the past, to continue the story. […] It is therefore up to you to keep it in good condition and then pass it on. Tips include powdered sugar to improve the condition of old lace, conditioner to soften silk, and lemon to polish a tarnished pan.
Giving a second life to an object, Karine Galarneau has made it her job. The scenographer, constantly on the lookout for decorative objects and accessories, is able to observe the effervescence in the second-hand offer, an added value for her work. “My advantage is that I don’t look for things that are fashionable or up-to-date. I’m not necessarily looking for furniture mid century “, she says. “The ballerina statuette that I found, I don’t think there were many of us to tear it off! »
She sees the popularity of resale sites as an opportunity to scout and compare prices with a new equivalent to find real bargains. She also assiduously frequents the EcoDepot, in Lachine, and Arté, in downtown Montreal, two places that sort and recycle waste from ecocentres.
At the forefront of the ever-increasing second-hand offer, Karine Galarneau has also made the decision, in her personal life, to buy as little as possible and almost exclusively from used goods. “I find it more interesting to have things that were given to me or that I found. It’s so beautiful to know that each object I have has a little story. And that one day he will be able to continue his life without me! »
“Made in Canada”
The impact of the textile industry on the environment has become a cause that actress Noémie O’Farrell champions, literally and figuratively. “From the age of 14, I started dressing in thrift stores, because I wanted beautiful things, but I couldn’t afford those luxury tastes! Quickly, she noticed the importance of natural fibers, the choice of textiles and the difference in cuts. Therefore, dressing with recycled clothes becomes a philosophy.
For those who want to learn about buying second-hand goods, she suggests visiting thrift stores that have done the initial sorting and cleaning work, and taking the time to try on the clothes. Noémie O’Farrell also specifies that certain treasures are hidden behind labels of unknown brands or of European origin. His advice: favor noble and natural materials such as wool or silk. “At one time, there was a whole ecology around clothing, people took care of it,” she says, adding that she can’t resist a label ” Made in Canada “.
From find to find, her collector’s spirit brings together unique pieces and even great designers. She takes pleasure in lending clothes or organizing spontaneous sales. For her, the pleasure is not in the accumulation, but in the sharing. “Finding, wearing, giving back, it’s all circular and that’s the most fun!” »