The 38th Annual Summer Antiques Sale at Sherway Gardens August 3, 2009

For seven days in August, Toronto’s coolest blend of hip retro, vintage, collectibles and antique items can be found under one roof at the 38th Annual Summer Antiques Sale at Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW). Featuring fresh discoveries from Toronto’s edgy vintage fashion scene to ultra-fashionable furnishing from Paris, Toronto’s oldest and largest antiquing event has it all - decorator delights, one-of-a-kinds and fabulous finds. The show opens at 10am on Civic Holiday Monday August 3rd and runs through Sunday, August 9th (Monday 10am-6pm; Tuesday-Friday 10am-9pm; Saturday 9:30am-6pm; Sunday 11am-5pm). Free admission and parking. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.asinter.com.

“From hip Manhattan glassware to glamorous vintage Chanel accessories and original Hollywood art, the search for antiques and ‘uniques’ has never been more fun,” states Peter Sutherland, Summer Antiques Sale Producer. “The Summer Antiques Sale has expanded to include all things retro, vintage and of course antique. Whether you relax on it, drink from it, sit in it or even wear it, the new world of antiquing is all about using it!”

With 1.2 kilometres of antiques and collectibles from premier dealers, there are great finds for every room in the house with more than 10,000 antiques on display including folk art from the Maritimes, restored mahogany dining room tables, white-washed cottage furniture, vintage timepieces, armoires from France, ancient coins, pine harvest tables, sideboards, blanket boxes, brass beds, pressed glass and estate jewelry.

“The Summer Antiques Sale is not only for the serious and experienced collector, but it is the perfect introduction to quality antiques and collectibles for those who are just starting to collect,” adds Sutherland. “Our top-notch vendors know what is hot in the market at any given time and know what people are looking for and set aside select pieces throughout the year specifically for the show at Sherway Gardens. This is part of the ongoing attraction of the show.”

The first antiques show to be held in a shopping centre in Canada, the annual Summer Antiques Sale has remained a draw at Sherway Gardens for 38 years.

SPECIAL GUEST JOE L'ERARIO KNOWS FURNITURE

For ten years, Joe L'Erario was the co-host of the television programs Furniture on the Mend, Furniture to Go and Men in Toolbelts. He has been finishing furniture since 1978 and has taught seminars on wood finishing and decorative finishes throughout North America. He is also co-author of The Furniture Guys Book, Creating The Perfect Wood Finish with Joe L'Erario and Wood Finishing Simplified with Joe L'Erario, published by Popular Woodworking books. In addition, Joe is an artist who has been painting for as far back as he can remember. To view Joe's artwork you can log onto www.paintrunsdeep.com.

Joe will be near the Customer Service information booth by Sherway Square on Tuesday, August 4 from 11am – 2pm to answer any “wood” related questions for inside projects, outside projects, finishing or refinishing.

TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WOOD by Joe L’Erario

1. Never try and clean older furniture with spray cleaners that contain ammonia. Many older finishes (mid 30's and before) are shellac based and ammonia loves to eat away shellac finishes.

2. Be aware of what you are about to strip. If you think the piece may have some history and value to it, removing its finish because it doesn't go with you color scheme in the living room is going to kill a possible market value. Always have something you think is bona fide antique evaluated by a professional, er, ah, bonafier!

3. Outdoors decks and wooden furniture will last much longer with a new coat of marine varnish every couple of years. Marine varnish is the best possible finish for out door wooden surfaces---except for boat wood that is beneath a water line.

4. But first more about Marine Varnish: Part of the reason that Marine, or, "Spar" varnishes are so good for exterior wood is that they contain UV blockers which protect the wood from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

5. Never cut the legs or top from an old piece of furniture just to get it into your house. I will come and find you and hurt you.

6. Finishes are not impervious to human behavior. Do not cut rolls, meat, or flower stems on wood surfaces that are finished with lacquer, varnish, polyurethane, or shellac. What are you crazy?

7. Dryness and dampness are the bane of old antique furniture.

8. If you have rickety dinning room chairs the only way to repair them properly is to bang them apart, clean all the ends of the wood parts that go into the other parts, (peg and dowel, mortise and tenon etc.) re-glue and then clamp with the appropriate amount of bar clamps. Don't use nails or angle brackets.

9. I’ll bet you didn't know that black Kiwi shoe polish is and excellent wax for wooden surfaces.

10. If you have an old secretary, get yourself a younger one.

DRESS YOUR BEST WITH VINTAGE CLOTHING FROM KAROL’S KOLLECTABLES

Whether for prom, a wedding or the next night on the town, be the Belle of the Ball in one of these vintage fifties prom dresses from Karol’s Kollectables. From traditional to modern, or fun to funk, vintage gowns will ensure a dramatic and glamorous entrance to any room. Altering a vintage gown for such a special occasion adds a sense of pride and accomplishment to any special evening. Karol’s Kollectables is located in Rockwood, Ontario and owned by Carol-Anne.

THE 38th ANNUAL SUMMER ANTIQUES SALE
Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW)
Civic Holiday Monday, August 3 through Sunday, August 9
Monday 10am-6pm; Tuesday-Friday 10am-9pm; Saturday 9:30am-6pm; Sunday 11am-5pm.
FREE admission and FREE parking
for more information call 416-621-1070
visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.asinter.com.

Official Website: http://www.sherwaygardens.ca