Two Day Magazine

I have a confession to make.

My husband and I like to watch Antiques Roadshow.

I'm not sure how we became obsessed with this show but I can tell you this much: We don't have cable so television watching is limited in our home.  We do stream Netflix through our Wii console, but for the most part, our television is off.

Or, should I say, was off.  

Every Monday, we now turn on PBS at 8pm and watch with unabashed rapture.  I'm not sure when I started caring about obscure paintings, weird pottery, and old wooden furniture. I have a hunch, however, that it has something to do with being an old married lady and wanting furnishings that you won't find at your typical Pottery Barn.

Antiques, it turns out, are not just for old people.  In fact, I have discovererd that antiquing is attracting a pretty young audience these days. My theory is the appeal of old furniture and reused furnishings have more personality and are cheaper than buying new things. It's no wonder estate sales and antique stores are more popular than Ethan Allen.

We humble middle-classers aren't the only ones getting in on the action, though.  Celebs are into a more eclectic decorating experience, too.  My BFF Sarah told me today that Tori Spelling (of all people) has a lovely antiques store called, Inventori, on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, California.  Who knew?

In the little neighborhood right outside Pittsburgh’s city limit where Jason and I live, there are several large antiques stores just packed with goodies.  I have driven past them many times but so far, have not gone in to any of them.  One store in particular  has this divine little Tiffany-style stained glass lamp that sits in the front window.  I have wanted to go into the store for the better part of two years now to see how much it costs, but I haven't done it.  Occasionally, the employees unknowingly play with my emotions and move the lamp around.  For a few seconds, my heart breaks because I think someone has bought it, but then I see it is just in a different spot.

What keeps me from buying this lamp that I lust over?  And what keeps me from going in to these antiques stores that are right in my backyard?

Simple.  I don't want to open the flood gates.  Watching Antiques Roadshow is one thing but actually becoming an antiquer is quite another.  I'm terrified of getting addicted.  And I have to tell you, our house isn't big enough to hold lots of antique bits and pieces.

All of this self control I have built up to keep myself from going into that store to buy that Tiffany-esque lamp is slowly being unraveled by this new tv show fetish. I have to wonder if other people have this self-deprivation approach to certain things too or am I just beating myself up for no real reason?  My mother always told me that self-control is what separates us from wild animals.  I hear her voice in my head every time that I want to impulse-purchase.

But dammit, all this antiques porn on tv really makes me want that lamp even more than I already did! 

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