Celebrity Spotlight: Todd Peenstra, Appraiser

Have you ever wondered how much your family heirlooms are worth? Bring them to the Capital Home Show, taking place September 19-21, 2014 at the Dulles Expo Center, and find out! Todd Peenstra, President of Peenstra Antiques Appraisals will be offering free appraisals all weekend. Todd can help you determine what your items are worth and how you can sell them. He provides professional appraisals for valuation, estate planning, and insurance purposes. If you’d rather not bring your heirloom to the show Todd can also conduct his appraisal using a photograph. But before you find out the value of your treasures, enjoy our interview with Todd below.

MEET TODD PEENSTRA

Marketplace Events (MPE): What is the most valuable item you have been asked to appraise?

• Todd Peenstra (TP): “About a year and a half ago we appraised a Monet painting – it had been inherited. Another woman brought in a letter from Patsy Cline with a set list and it was worth at least $30,000 – she was a little girl when Patsy Cline played in her father’s bar and Patsy gave her the list and she saved it.”

MPE: What do you use as a tool in your trade? Or what do you always have with you?

• TP: “A jewelers loop, a flashlight, and a magnet to help test metals.”

MPE: What inspired you to do what you do?

• TP: “I started working at an antiques store in New Orleans.”

MPE: Embarrassing on-the-job moments?

• TP: “I had a customer hand me a glass figure and I turned it upside down to look at the mark on the bottom and did not know that one of the pieces was not attached! Luckily it did not break and it was not really that valuable to begin with.”

MPE: What’s your personal mantra?

• TP: “The Golden Rule – and to work hard and be nice.”

MPE: What is the most challenging part of your job?

• TP: “To constantly stay current as the market is always changing. Because I’m a generalist and I’m going into a house for estate sales, I have to know a little bit of everything and still stay current. Reporting can be very tedious too and I like interacting with people more than reporting.”

MPE: What is your favorite work-related phone app?

• TP: “I have an appraisal app that shows current pricing for metals, etc.”

MPE: If you were not doing this job what would you be doing?

• TP: “I would be working in an antiques store.”

MPE: What should people look for when hiring an appraiser?

• TP: “Word of wisdom – when looking for an appraiser, make sure there is no conflict of interest. That they are appraising and not buying and or selling and pay for the time that they spend reviewing your item only.”

MPE: When should you have something appraised?

• TP: “When people are downsizing they wait until the end – leave yourself enough time to at least sell the item or decide how you best want to downsize.”

Make sure to catch Todd at the Capital Home Show. And if you’re ready for fortune and fame, Todd and Steve Gouteman of Nova Gold LLC will be filming their local access program, Appraisals Roadshow, at the show on Saturday, September 20th - bring your heirloom for a chance to be on the show. 

Grab your show tickets now to get the best deals, we can wait to see you there! 

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Our Favorite Home Show Upcyles So Far...

9 Amazing Upcycles to Enjoy!

Jennifer Blevins and Amanda Geary's Change Table, featured at our Washington Home + Garden Show

As many of you may know, we at Home and Garden Events love to upcycle furniture.  We spent the majority of our last home show season asking you to vote on upcycled pieces from all over North America, and now it's time to stop the competition and showcase some of our favorite pieces.

Before we showcase our faves, check out this great video on how to easy upcycle a lamp and dresser.  With a little sanding and paint, you can really improve an old piece of furniture.

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TIDY TUESDAY: Repurposed Ladders

Via Apartment Therapy

Organize your clutter this Tidy Tuesday and use ladders to showcase your favorite pieces! Today I’d like to draw your attention to the repurposing of ladders (usually antiques) as furniture.

Typically used as shelving or unique storage, ladders are being used both inside and out to showcase beautiful plants, pictures, and other home decor elements. While some are placing wood directly across the ladder steps to create a more shelf space, others are leaning them up against the wall, or even hanging them from the ceiling. Personally, I like all these ideas, some of my faves below.

My Top Picks for Repurposed Ladders

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