For homeowners, antique shows shops can offer unique and rare items that you can use to decorate your home. Many items can even be transformed and used for a practical purpose, like storage. Not only do they make an interesting addition to your home, antiques offer other benefits as well.

When you buy an antique to use or display in your home, you’re reusing and repurposing an item that might have otherwise been discarded. Most antiques tend to be pieces that were made by hand with good quality materials. Though there may be some wear and tear, many of these pieces can be fixed up and look as good as new.

Most antique items are more cost-friendly than their modern-day counterparts, which can help homeowners cut down costs when styling their home. Even if repairs need to be made, chipped paint can be easily fixed without adding too much to the costs. Some people may already have antiques that have been passed down from family members like old furniture that can easily be repainted and given a new life.

Thankfully, Calgarians who are interested in adding antique finishes to their home don’t need to look far – shops like Inside Avenue Antiques (3419 8 St SE), which offers a large selection of items including furniture and jewelry, and Hinchcliff & Lee (1217A-9th Avenue SE) which specializes in Asian antique accessories and furniture. Circa Vintage Art Class (1226A 9 Ave SE) offers truly unique antiques – the shop sells a collection of mid-century modern and vintage art pieces made of glass from countries around the world.

Later this month, Antiques by Design will be hosting an “Antiquing in the ARC” event at the Acadia Recreation Complex (240 – 90th Avenue SE) on Saturday, April 28 from 9:00am-5:00pm and on Sunday, April 29 from 10:00am-4:00pm. This event will feature different antique vendors from across Canada, providing a large variety of vintage finds. The company hosts two shows in Calgary each year, and the next show is expected to take place in the summer.

Admission for the show is $6 for adults, and free for children aged 13 and younger. More details on the event, like parking and accessibility can be found on the website.

Antiques and memorabilia including furniture, art prints, clocks, jewelry, toys, coins, and more will be available for guests to purchase. For homeowners who may have antiques they want to sell, or just know the approximate value of, a free antique identification clinic with a certified appraiser will be available at the show. The service is open to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guests are encouraged to attend early if they’re interested in an appraisal.