KATHY'S ADVICE

Fort Worth has a true gem in the privately owned business, K. Flories Antiques. K. Flories has been in the antique buying and selling business for over 40 years. Her shop on Camp Bowie Boulevard is a testament to her discerning eye and business savvy. Ask a Fort Worth native where to find unique, one-of-a-kind furniture and you will hear "K. Flories Antiques." Designers and collectors from all over the country frequent her shop regularly and rarely walk out empty handed.

Unique Antiques

There is a fine line between collecting and clutter, notes Kathy Flories of K. Flories Antiques in Fort Worth, Texas.

"The danger of collections is you wind up with something you can't sell and it takes over your house. That's the problem with collecting tea cups or plates."

And so, with 40 years in the antiques business, Ms. Flories advises you to collect what you like and can comfortably display in your home.

"Buy what you enjoy so you can have all the years of pleasure, no matter how the collection is disposed in later years. I have had so many people come to me with large collections, such as salt and pepper shakers, and there is no market for them. They were collecting in the hope of making money from them," she explained.

The key to successful investment collecting is to buy items that are valuable in the first place.



"Then you might get your money back. Current solid investments are period pieces from the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. They have to be in good condition. These aren't secondary pieces like you might find in flea markets," said Harks.

Do your research.

"I am now helping the children and grandchildren of my original customers and they know the market and know what they are looking for. They are very knowledgeable."

That doesn't mean to give up collecting items that may have little resale value. Flories collects "ugly old portraits and I admit to something of a chair fetish."

But, in her business, she buys anything upscale or things that she knows will sell.

“I have some customers who come by every day just to see what is new."