PHOTO: Michael Metzger, Michael Metzger & Staff, Inc. - Events.org

CALEDONIAN CONSIGNMENTS along. So it’s better for both us and3330 Skokie Valley Roadthe customers to be choosy.” And847-681-6000to know what they want.Monday through Saturday,10-5; other by appointment Caledonian Consignments allowscustomers to keep a “wish list.”“A lady wanted an English Oak Welsh dresser. One came in to the shop,and ding! I called her. She was here in three hours; that’s how much shewanted it. But she still asked for a discount!”These days, most would-be consignors take digital photos of what theywant to offer. Brian suggests it’s best to add as much history as possible tothe pictures—who is the manufacturer, where and when was itpurchased—as well as details like whether a table stands on legs or on apedestal base. That’s usually enough information for Brian to make anappointment to see the piece in person.even if it’s not a pedigreed antique. “Twenty years ago, an Arthur Brett,two-pedestal, two-leaf dining table—the finest English reproduction—might have cost $6,500. Today, that same reproduction is twice that.These are ‘the antiques of tomorrow.’”Top quote: (from many young customers): “I swore I would neverown what my parents did, and yet, here I am!”Top picks: Audubon “Quadruped” prints, unframed, $90; Butler’swine serving table (perfect for that oenophile on your list), $1,150; roll-topdesk sans hutch (purchased as an antique by a Mrs. Diamond in 1924 inNew Orleans), $2,200.As long as you’re thisTHE ANTIQUE SHOP OFfar north, why notHIGHLAND PARKshoot east on Prairie2699 Waukegan Avenue847-681-1385(Route 22) and makeMonday through Friday, 10-5; your way under or overThursday until 8; Sunday 1-5. the tracks to TheAntique Shop ofHighland Park. This is a completely delightful store, with that traditionalantique store feeling. Sitting on the dividing line between Highland Park andHighwood, and where Highwood continues its redevelopment as an artsydestination, The Antique Shop specializes in 19th and 20th century antiquesand collectibles.Filled from wall to wall and floor to ceiling with furniture, accessories,glassware, porcelain and metalware, this shop also offers fine arts—oils andlithos—from the late 1700s through Picasso, Monet and Manet. If you’veever wanted to invite someone up to see your etchings, you can get thoseetchings right here.Karen Smith and Brian Heath with major pieces and decorativeaccessories at Caledonian Consignments.One of the more interesting people he met this way was an elderlyauthor who had a collection of walking sticks. We cannot mention hisname, but Brian enjoyed the photographs of this man in the Oval Office,with Winston Churchill and standing next to Princess Di.“Consignment is a very good process for people who have loved theirthings, but neither they nor their children have a place for them now.”Pick-up and delivery are very reasonable, only $60, “for one piece or awhole house,” says Brian.As we looked at antique secretaries and armoires, we couldn’t help butwonder: What if the key to a piece is lost? “That’s where our full workshopat the Northfield store comes in. They can get us out of a lot of jams!”Marking the right price also takes a lot of resources. “We got in abeautiful painting. To my eye, it was quite special, probably French,possibly very valuable. I wanted to do my best for the consignor and havespent more than four months researching who the artist might be. The ArtInstitute told me to go to France. I’m still working on that research.” Orconsider fine reproduction furniture; that becomes more valuable, too,34 / Spring 2007From the rugs on the floor to the pictures on the wall andeverything in between, The Antique Shop of Highland Park