While Serwer has mastered the art of searching for and selling rare or unusual items, customers also come to her with specific questions, which she then looks for. <\/span><\/h2>\nW<\/span>When Sally Serwer was six, her mother, Adeline Steinman, would take her to antique shows at the Temple of Israel. “It was in my blood too early,” says the interior designer and antiques dealer.<\/span><\/p>\nFor more than 40 years, Serwer, 67, of Bloomfield Hills, has worked in interior design as the owner of Sally Serwer Designs. She has also sold merchandise at Berkley’s Masterpieces of individual colleagues<\/span> For 15 years as an antiques dealer, we have served clients throughout metro Detroit and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\nAt the forefront of Serwer’s unique style and flair is her willingness to classic and vintage pieces, which she aims to incorporate into any space she decorates. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n1960’s Rare collection of Abraham Palatnik Animals Lucite. Courtesy of Sally Serwer<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n“I’ve been known to be someone who uses antiques with all of my designs,” she says. “Even if it’s a very modern home, I feel like you need to have a new and an old home to make it different from everyone else’s.”<\/span><\/p>\nSerur picks up what she calls the “retail bug” from her father, Alvin Steinman, who owned the Alvin Pride women’s boutique in several locations across the state, and combined that passion with her mother’s love of antiques (another trait she says she relocated) to her own business.<\/span><\/p>\nThroughout her career, Serwer began collecting antiques that she could later sell to her clients. She collected a large group that she stored in her garage, and turned dealing with antiques into a side business she could add to her major interior design business. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“I sold it on my own, then went to the best store in town, Odd Fellows Antiques,” Serwer recalls.<\/span><\/p>\nSally’s booth at Odd Fellows Antiques Courtesy of Sally Serwer<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nInside the antiques trade<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n Odd Fellows Antiques is home to about 50 antique dealers. Once a week, Serwer brings her latest merchandise for sale in her stall, which includes a wide selection of everything from fine fine antiques to flea market.<\/span><\/p>\n“I have great artwork and furniture, mid-century chairs, and antique French chairs,” she describes. \u201cThere are a lot of antiques dealers out there, and they specialize in one area, and I don\u2019t really have a specialty because I like so many different genres. I have a whole chain for everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nWhile Serwer has mastered the art of searching for and selling rare or unusual items, customers also come to her with specific questions, which she then looks for. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThey hired me at first because they like my taste,\u201d she says of her clients, most of whom are high-end clients. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDepending on the day, Serwer can work with anyone from celebrities who live in Michigan to young families looking for unique furniture and artwork. \u201cI try to find things that are very classic and you never go out of style,\u201d she explains. “I try not to buy things that are too fashionable.”<\/span><\/p>\nWoody Allen autographed by Murray Eisner. Courtesy of Sally Serwer<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFind and collect antiques<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n For Serwer, the search for antiques never stops. “I crawl through holes to get things,” she laughs. Whether she’s traveling with her husband, William, discovering something special, or browsing estate sales, Serwer continues to anticipate her greatest discovery.<\/span><\/p>\nBefore selling any item, especially chairs, Serwer also makes sure that everything is in perfect condition. “If I find an old chair, I will always remodel it,” she explains. “I like the idea of \u200b\u200bhaving a new, modern canvas.”<\/span><\/p>\nOver the years, Serwer’s work has been mostly through word of mouth. “I don’t like to do a lot of advertising,” she says. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen an interesting piece or collection becomes available, the latter tries to put it together so people can get a matching d\u00e9cor, it will post the antiques on its Facebook page, which can generate anywhere from a single buyer to hundreds of calls.<\/span><\/p>\nSerwer explains that in dealing with antiques, it’s always a busy season. However, her favorite time to sell is the summer when she can offer outdoor items. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“I like anything that’s old stone or architectural,” she says. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe holidays are also a great time to sell antiques, thanks to the high interest among customers for antique Christmas furniture and decor.<\/span><\/p>\n“Odd Fellows are known for having vintage stuff at Christmas,” Serwer says.<\/span><\/p>\nAfter more than four decades in interior design and 15 years dealing in antiques, Serwer has learned exactly what it takes to find rare items \u2014 and everyone can do it, she says.<\/span><\/p>\n“Don’t turn down a garage sale,” Serwer advises. \u201cGo to the consignment stores. They are almost like antiques stores, but they don\u2019t make it to the antiques stores because the dealers buy from them.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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