Toronto Auction Action

In keeping with loving the area around the Flatiron building, I did a bit of exploration around the eastern area of King Street tonight and was struck by some fond memories.

For the better part of 25 years I found myself drawn to auction houses around King, Sherbourne and Richmond Streets, at first lost in the sea of stuff that seemed to overflow from estates, stores and dealers who just needed to move dead stock! Then, eventually I would happen upon some great deals, and a few duds, though mostly I was getting a great education in the arts, in furniture construction and learning how to identify quality over crap.

For the past 10 years, Toronto (and for the most part the rest of the industrialized world) has seen a decline in auction attendance as well as the quantity of the product found at auction houses.

The current trend towards "Edit Your Life" design has kids snubbing their noses at that solid wood dining table that their parents wanted them to take as a hand me down or the old teak sideboard that was in the basement since they were kids.

It just seemed like the old stuff was baggage. Instead, we as consumers head out and buy that sleek looking fiberboard console from some trendy Queen or King Street furniture shop or some chain store, when we could have taken that sideboard & lamp-table and called the best independant refinishing shop in Toronto Johnny's finishing on Advance off Islington Avenue. That sideboard could look good as new for less than $300.00 and the table would have been around $250.00 to be redone in the oh so current Wenge stain!.

Suddenly these pieces arrive back to you looking more like they were purchased in a boutique shop than any mass-made product found in every store.

I haven't attended any general estate auctions for at least the last 5 years, so was surprised to find a "new" Auction House on King Street East (197 King Street East -The Auction House) operating for about 6 months; housed in a building that was built in the 1880's currently in a state of ongoing renovations.

Owner Francis Satto has big plans for this spectacular space but is still working on drawing in crowds for his regular Wednesday auctions first.

Auctions start at 7 pm every Wednesday and usually are finished by 9pm.

By the time I arrived there were about 10 people in attendance, however sparse crowds often mean great opportunity for good deals on any item you might have your eye on.

There were approximately 150 lots ranging from dishes to dining sets, art and collectables.

By the time of my arrival they were at lot # 135 a large rectangular coffee table, passed over because it was too big for those 600 square foot apartments but perfect if you have a cottage and wanted a $20.00 deal!

I missed most of the items that I would have considered bidding on though did catch the frenetic paced bidding on a carved wood rocking horse 3' tall which eventually sold for $55.00.
I watched as a vintage light fixture from the 30's with classic style (one that's knocked off by lighting suppliers and sold in retail stores for about $350.00) sold for $25.00.

In the end I didn't buy anything but was tempted by a couple of pieces that went well below what they would be in any retail store.

I'm thinking that Toronto needs to find a resurgence in these types of general estate auctions, the original ultimate in "Green" retail. If you're a person with a good eye you could have had a great marble side table, a super chandelier and an original piece of artwork, all for less than $150.00. Now that makes for smart shopping and a guarantee that you will have a signature space when you are done decorating your new home.

King Street continues to reveal some great spots, but next week the posting will move to the west end as I feature a great date spot - see you then.

Cheers,

Philip