Hello one and all! It's Monday again and you know what that means!
If you've been following my blog, you'll know by now that I've been catching up with industry legends to find out how they got into the trade, about their favourite finds and their biggest regrets, and to get some advice for myself and for anyone else thinking of getting into the trade. These short interviews will continue to come out over the course of the next few months, depending on who I can persuade to take part.
So far we've chatted to 'Dickinson's Real Deal's' very own Tim Hogarth, 'The Urban Vintage Affair' and 'The Bidding Room's' Natasha Francis and 'Bargain Hunt's' Gary Pe.
This week I had the pleasure of chatting to Hoof Brocante's very own Adi Higham, whom some of you will also recognise from new BBC1 antiques show, 'The Bidding Room'.
** You can see Part 2 of my chat with Adi Higham by clicking HERE, and you do not want to miss it! **
Now, here's a fun fact for you. I actually appeared on the first series of 'The Bidding Room' and Adi bought my item! To this day it has been one of my favourite finds and it's something I've regretted selling ever since! Who knows, with Christmas coming up, Adi just might find it in his heart to return it to me...
If you're interested, you can see Adi and I discussing that particular episode of the Bidding Room and all of the mishaps in my YouTube video below or, alternatively, you can read more about it here.
Anyway, enough of these shameless plugs...! Let's get down to business! Get that kettle on and let's find out what tickles Adi's fancy in the world of antiques...
Q. How did you get into the antiques and vintage trade?
Adi:
I fell into the antiques trade after buying a mountain bike in a local village auction for £10 and then selling it for £90. The buzz was incredible. So then I started going to loads of auctions and bought bits I liked. This is where my journey started.
Q. What is your current genre or speciality?
Adi:
99% of what I buy is from France. There is something very romantic about buying in France. They are just very passionate about their history. I adore it.
Q. Who or what has been the main influence on your style?
Adi:
Tara my partner is a massive influence in my style of buying . She has an amazing eye and picks out things I would never have bought before, but now love.
Q. What has been your favourite find?
Adi:
My favourite find. Easy. A 1969 Peugeot french fire engine.
Q. Has there been a particular item that you missed out on and wish you had won in 'The Bidding Room'?
Adi:
I missed out on a Donald Campbell lighter. It was beautiful. But it's okay, I've bought another one since.
Q. Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into the antiques and vintage trade?
Adi:
My advice for anyone entering this business. Take your time. Start slowly and find your style. Buy something and sell it. And repeat!! Only spend what you can afford, because mistakes happen. And if you try to be too clever, too quick, you could lose your pants!
You can find Adi, Tara and 'Hoof Brocante' at Brookland on the East Sussex/Kent border, on the A259 coming from Rye. They're located on an old RAF base. I'm yet to visit, but I intend to... to get my model spitfire back of course...! But, seriously, I've heard it's eccentric and very well priced. I mean, come on, "eccentric" and "very well priced" are right up my street! See you soon Adi!
** You can see Part 2 of my chat with Adi Higham by clicking HERE, and you do not want to miss it! **
Well, that's it for this week folks! I hope you've enjoyed finding out a little about Adi, Tara and 'Hoof Brocante'. Be sure to give Adi a follow on Facebook and Instagram, and more importantly, get yourselves over to 'Hoof Brocante' for a visit! Oh, and if you think he should give me back my spitfire, get that petition started in the comments section below!
So, until next week, stay safe, keep buying those antiques and keep spreading that Source Vintage love!
Stephen
Owner Source Vintage
Shop from Source Vintage here
Hi Adi
My mother is 85 yrs old and has a beautiful Chinese silk that is 100 yrs old (framed). She also has 2 Thai paintings and a north Chinese painting done by the farmers who help subsidise their earnings by painting as they are illiterate. We do not know who to contact for the most honest evaluation of these. Please can you help. She also has a teddy bear 100yrs old and a Panda 85yrs old. Not sure if you may be interested. I can send pictures.
Thank you so much Debbie
Love the program you are so funny but do not like that Jane how rude to call your partner and I loved the heads the male looked like Michael Foot mp x
Hi adi love the programme,bought a napoleon clock from a brocante in France,dabbled in small priced antiques in the past.Car boot sales is the one for me,and my budget.My partner a that time was taking a clock restoration course,so he restored my napoleon clock I french polished it .All spic and span my ten euros turned into 40 euros what a buz.However,couldn’t rely on these bargains ,as they are hard to find now.So went to uni and became podiatrist.Really I am missing those times but if opportunity comes up ,obviously I buy.However won’t go on pontificating Adi keep safe please do keep this series going regards Trish x
A massive thank you to everyone who has commented on this post. I have passed all of your messages on to Adi and he is blown away by all of your love and support! I have a feeling this is just the beginning and we’ll be seeing a lot more of him on our screens in the future! Thanks again everyone!
Hi Adi, we live in Bexhill, quite near you. My husband unfortunately has had a stroke and dementia, I am his carer, yes, it’s hard and lonely but I so enjoy watching you on tv, I can still smile. But I miss home made curry, my husband was a fantastic cook and listening to you struck a cord with me. I keep looking at his ingredients cupboard knowing I have to clear it out but so far cannot bring myself to go there. I know it’s silly and he’s end of life but I still hope. Please keep entertaining me and your many admirers and make plenty of fantastic curries. Best wishes. Madge.
N