A little advice from an antiques expert

Collectors are in for an educational evening Wednesday when one of the world's leading experts on antiques comes to Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh for a reading and book signing.

Judith Miller will make a fourth trip to the area, this time on the heels of finishing up not one, but two books: "Chairs" and "20th Century Design: The Definitive Illustrated Sourcebook." Both are stunning, coffee-table-worthy books, chock-full of beautiful photography and interesting details on items ranging from the Arts and Crafts movement to George III- and Louis XVI-style armchairs.

In a recent phone interview from England, Miller, who is an appraiser on the BBC's "Antiques Roadshow," shared a bit about the books, good style and how to shop with the best of them.

Q: Both books are not only wonderful to look at but packed with information. What kind of challenges did you face, other than having to write both books simultaneously?

The difficulty was with the chairs and cutting down to the number of chairs that we had. We wanted the chairs to be the stars of the book so we shot them to be really wonderful.

Q: Why write a book about chairs versus sofas or china or anything else?

I think they depict the style of a period perfectly. Every designer has tried to design the perfect chair. The chair has to be very much a part of our body. Twentieth-century designers spent a lot of time on the ergonomics of the chair.

Q: What would you say is today's style?

That is interesting to say. We're still at the moment looking back a lot. I think at the moment, if anything, designers are doing a lot of different things with different materials. I think that's really like the Art Deco era.

Q: Where are some of the best places to shop for good 20th-century pieces in the U.S.?

Lambertville, N.J., and New Hope [Pa.] and Philadelphia. Philadelphia is good for period pieces. There's Freeman's [Freeman's Auctioneers and Appraisers], which is one of the oldest auction houses. There are some fantastic shops there, such as Calderwood Gallery. Their specialty is Art Deco and later pieces.

Q: What should we buy now that will have the same impact later as something like an Eames chair?

One of my favorite designers is Julia Krantz. She is not well-known, but she's a real artist. Philippe Starck is another. He's designed a lot of furniture for hotels around the U.S. and in Europe.

Q: What is your favorite style?

I'm really quite eclectic. My dining room is oriental, with Japanese and Chinese pieces. I'm very interested in Chinese design and influence.

Q: If you really want to become a better antiques shopper, what's a good strategy?

Getting your eye in is very important with antiques. You need to go to auctions, go to museums, where you can actually spot something. People have been faking for a long time. You need to shop from a recognizable dealer. Go to a good auction house. If you really like something, ask to speak to someone about it. Maybe it doesn't matter to you that it's a fake, as long as you know what you are getting. Really, you should buy something you really like. Don't buy what I say. You are the one who has to live with it.

Q: What's hot right now?

Costume jewelry has gone up a lot in value lately, the Chanel brand and others. Anything from the '30s to '50s, as well. Anything Arts and Crafts, whether it's Stickley or Rookwood, Roseville, Van Briggle. They're really going for a lot. We're also seeing a lot of German dolls. But they have to be in good condition. People underestimate how much condition makes a difference in value.

Q: Is there a consistent lag for what's hot? Meaning, in the '50s, people loved things from the '20s or '30s as we are now appreciating things from the '70s?

Yes, there's consistent lag. I grew up in the '50s and a lot of things that my parents had I didn't like. But now my daughters really like things from the '50s. There is always that lag.

Q: In what styles or periods would we find good buys now?

Victorian things are really out of fashion right now. It's too fussy. It's too over-decorated. If you like that style, it's a wonderful time to buy it.

Q: Are there ways to get value out of antiques?

You could buy single chairs. That's a really good tip. You could be like me and have chairs from the same period. I collect from the 1770s and 1780s, in all different styles from the same periods. I bought them all singly. That was much, much cheaper.

Q: What tips do you have for getting the most out of an afternoon at an antiques show?

If you go to an antique show, turn left and not right as you go in. Most people are right-handed, so they go right, and those dealers would have been picked over first.

Q: Do you have any rules on bargaining?

Always take cash with you. You can get a much better deal. Don't be rude to dealers on your offer, but always ask 'What's your best price?' or 'What if I'm paying cash?' Really do look at things carefully. There's nothing worse than getting home and seeing that the decanter top isn't the right one.

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