Vintage wares to sigh for

A dilapidated warehouse in Highgate became the perfect backdrop for collector Gerard Chipper to display his eclectic array of artworks, vintage furniture and antiques.

Inspired by the idea of converted warehouse galleries in New York and London, Mr Chipper stumbled across a Stirling Street space up for lease.

"We found it quite difficult to find an actual warehouse in this area," he said.

"And we were trying to organise it along the lines of more international business like in New York and London, where there are more apartments like this.

"The idea was to decorate it in the way of a New York industrial loft apartment."

After several months of work - which saw the ceiling repaired, the concrete floors polished and fresh coats of paint applied to the stark walls - the rundown warehouse was transformed into a clean industrial-style space that sets the tone for Mr Chipper's gallery Artepodean and his covetable range of vintage pieces.

Collecting is a favourite pastime for Mr Chipper, but it was only eight years ago, after setting eyes on a striking Clement Meadmore chair, that he became a serious furniture collector.

"I had collected things before that but as far as furniture goes that was one of the pieces that kind of started off more serious collecting," he said.

Over the years, he has accumulated a diverse mix of global and local furniture pieces that reflect designs from the modernist, abstract and vintage eras.

Filling the edgy warehouse space is a series of lovingly restored furniture pieces, from circa 1950 buffets, dining tables and display units to original Grant Featherston dining chairs and classic Sandwich lounge chairs by Brunati for Italian designers T. Ammannati & GP Vitelli.

Much of the furniture was sourced from collectors in WA and the Eastern States, who had acquired the pieces from European families that had immigrated to Australia during the 1950s and 60s and brought with them their belongings.

But Artepodean is not limited to furniture. It also encompasses a striking range of vintage lamps and sculptures as well as abstract and fine art, including an original oil painting by renowned English painter Walter John Beauvais.

"They are actually very relevant to the contemporary," Mr Chipper said.

"You don't just have to have all the 1960s pieces; you can have a mix, whether it's an old cabinet together with a contemporary painting or a modern lounge suite.

"We're quite inspired by mixing things all together, so if you like antiques, it doesn't mean you have to sell them all when you start liking the more contemporary.

"They can all go well together, if done properly."

While mid-century pieces dominate the gallery floor, there are also a number of collections that stem from the late 80s through to the early 90s.

"We don't really intend to be 100 per cent mid-20th century," he said. "We appreciate modern design."

It's a melding of styles that since Artepodean opened three months ago seems to attract a diverse range of customers.

"We have some of the younger customers who are fascinated by our pieces because they haven't grown up with them around," Mr Chipper said.

"But we also have the older customers who are a bit nostalgic and are amazed that it's there and it is in its original condition."

Tips for selecting and restoring vintage furniture and antiques:

• Opt for well-cared-for vintage pieces that are as close as possible to their original form and require little or no restoration work.

• Don't go overboard with restoring pieces — for some vintage pieces it is more valuable to retain its original character by allowing it to look slightly worn, weathered and used. If unsure whether restoring a piece will hinder its vintage value, seek advice from a professional collector.

• For more weathered pieces, consider the extent of restoration needed. The more work that needs to be done, the costlier it will be.

• Look for makers and labels to identify a piece.

• If a piece comes without a label or brand mark, source old magazines from flea markets and swap meets and browse through the advertising to help identify its origins.