Thirty years ago Darrell Munn started collecting American art pottery and glass. He didn’t know then that what started out as a hobby would turn into an obsession that would expand.
One of his most exciting finds was some Moser glass, which is hard to find from the Victorian time period of the late 1800s. He discovered it 10 years ago in Issaquah.
Now he’s surrounded by home decorations, glass ware, sterling silver, furniture from eras new and old in his 2,400-square-foot store Black Chow Antiques.
The store is one of many participating in the sixth annual Art and Antique Walk this Saturday in downtown Renton.
More than 100 local artists will display their works on the street, while area antique stores will offer sales and refreshments.
The Art and Antique Walk will take over South Third Street between Main and Whitworth Avenues.
Antiques, collectables, books and art will be on display and for sale at area shops.
Black Chow Antiques has been in downtown Renton for six years and Munn said the event is one of his favorites of the year.
Over the years he’s amassed quite a bit picking up items on vacations, at auctions and antique stores.
“Then as I would buy something, I would need to get rid of something,” he said. “I started out just renting a booth in an antique mall and having things there and then I just kept expanding.”
Munn says he has an eye for antiques and has become self-taught and trained throughout the years.
Antiquing is an all-ages activity he said, as he’s noticed a lot of younger people interested in it.
He’s even noticed children that come in with their parents remark, ‘Oh look at this, isn’t this pretty,’ instead of, ‘can we go.’
What’s really popular right now is mid-century, 1950s furnishings and items up to the 1970s.
Munn gets them in and soon after they’re out the door.
“It’s kind of a generational thing because it’s mostly younger people in their 20s, 30s,” he said. “And then the hard core people that are probably in their 50s that maybe remember it or something and they are going back.”
Munn guessed the attraction was due to the time period’s clean design lines that aren’t overly carved like a lot of antiques.
He has a lot of high-end glass from the late 1800s on and said that sterling silver is really popular right now. The oldest thing he has is a coffee pot that dates back about 300 years. The most exotic or unusual item he has is a West African mask from the Dan tribe that is four feet long.
Munn doesn’t buy items anymore he just does consignment. During this down economy, he has noticed a lot more people come in with things to sell.
Although business has been slow off and on, the last six months have really picked up in sales, Munn said.
He’s encouraged that things seem to be getting back to a normal pace.
Another part of his business is selling to interior designers. They come in with their clients or will take pictures to take back to clients.
His glassware was featured in Seattle Bride Magazine after a designer shopped at his store.
Of the Art and Antique Walk Munn said, “The whole atmosphere, with everyone serving food and all the artists outside, it’s kind of fun.”
The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information visit www.facebook.com/rentonartwalk.
ART AND ANTIQUE WALK
• Restaurant Luther’s Table will hold a drawing to win original artwork by painter Ned Mueller. The painting is valued at more than $1,000. Mueller has a studio in Renton, but exhibits nationally. Walk attendees get one entry per person.
• Live music presented by Ian Jones, Charlie Beck, DJ Brian Larson, Baker Street Blues Revue and Fable at various locations downtown Renton during the event.
