And the better the neighborhood, generally, the better the garage sale. Look in newspaper classifieds for times and places. It s good to know what you re looking for, but learning is also part of the fun. If you develop a yen for something, antique Japanese tansus, for instance, look at as many as you can to educate your eye before buying. The library or a large bookstore where you can browse without buying is a great place to begin your research.
Dealers are another source.
As for buying, only you know if it s worth the asking price to you. It may not be antique, but an older, well-designed piece of furniture may still have value, especially if it s beautiful to you. But treasure hunts are so much more fun. Their rambling house in Miami is furnished like the English farmhouse where she grew up, with secondhand pieces recovered in linen chintz and French silk. She knew its value immediately by the joints and the rows of tack marks, left by centuries of reupholstering.