At The Warehouse Antiques & Collectibles, every dealer has a unique story and a carefully curated selection of items that tell their own history. Among them, Nick and Tracy Wyatt, based at Stand H6, have built a reputation for sourcing quirky, unusual, and high-quality antiques that intrigue both seasoned collectors and casual buyers alike.
With a love for collecting that eventually turned into a thriving business, Nick and Tracy bring a wide-ranging mix of antiques and collectables, carefully selected based on their own appreciation for craftsmanship and history. Rather than specialising in one particular category, their philosophy is simple:
"We struggle to specialise as we like a wide variety of items, and our motto is really only to buy things we like and would be happy to keep," they explain. "We sometimes keep things for a little while before passing them on to sell so that we can enjoy them for a bit longer."
A Passion for the Unique and Unusual
Nick and Tracy’s interests in antiques stem from their personal collecting habits. Nick has a fascination with old toys, particularly Dinky and Swoppits figures, while Tracy is drawn to antique jewellery, vintage glass, textiles, and ceramics. Over the years, their individual interests have blended into an eclectic mix of stock that is always changing.
While many antique dealers focus on a particular period or style, Stand H6 is all about variety. Tracy has a passion for Art Nouveau, Georgian, and the Arts and Crafts Movement, but they are always open to purchasing any item that has the right price and appeal. Their buying trips often take them hundreds of miles away to auctions, estate sales, antique fairs, and even Instagram, always in search of their next great find.
"We source our items in a variety of ways, such as auctions, estate sales, antique fairs, and online through Instagram," they explain. "We are always on the lookout for treasures, and our buying trips can often take us over 300 miles away!"
Memorable Finds and Hidden Gems
Over the years, Nick and Tracy have come across some truly unique items. One of their most unusual sales was a dinosaur skeleton—not particularly old, but a fascinating conversation piece that Nick was especially fond of.
"The weirdest item we sold was a dinosaur skeleton, which wasn’t very old, but Nick loved it,"
Tracy recalls with a smile.
Another standout item was a Regency-period Silk Thread box, which was still intact with silk threads inside—a rare find that provided a glimpse into the everyday life of its time.
Like any seasoned dealers, they have also encountered their fair share of hidden gems
"We have been fortunate to come across a few ‘sleepers’ at auction," they say. "However, the person who purchased the John Maltby ceramic from us at The Warehouse got a bargain a few years ago—so it is still possible to find treasures in antique centres!"
Sourcing, Pricing, and Market Trends
In the world of antiques, trends can shift quickly. Just when they think they’ve mastered what buyers want, tastes change.
"Trends in this business can be quite fast-moving—just as you think you’ve cracked it, suddenly no one is buying it anymore!" they say.
This is why Nick and Tracy focus on items that can be repurposed or reused, ensuring they always have quirky and practical pieces available.
They take pricing seriously, believing that fair pricing benefits both the dealer and the customer. Unlike some venues where antique prices can be inflated, Stand H6 is known for its reasonable pricing.
"We believe we are very reasonably priced compared to other venues where we have seen similar stock," they explain. "We think it is important to buy at a reasonable price, and if we can secure a lower price, we will pass that onto the buyer."
One significant market shift they’ve observed is the decline in demand for large antique furniture.
"Before COVID, we sold a lot of bigger items, mainly to London dealers, but since COVID and the rise in fuel costs, these dealers don’t tend to travel as far," they note. "We now sell a lot more decorative smaller items, so we have a steady supply of glass, ceramics, baskets, etc."
The Art of Antique Dealing
Being an antique dealer is about more than just buying and selling—it’s about researching, preserving, and presenting each piece. Nick enjoys creating displays and grouping items together to create an engaging focal point, while Tracy’s true passion lies in sourcing and researching antiques.
"For Nick, it’s getting the statement at the end of the month—lol!" they joke. "But seriously, he loves creating displays and grouping items together to create focal points and cohesive stories. Tracy also loves the display aspect, but her main interest is buying and researching antiques."
When preparing items for sale, they take great care in preservation, using polish and wax to maintain the patina of wooden pieces but avoiding excessive restoration.
"We clean our treasures and may use polish or wax to ensure they retain their patina, but we rarely do anything more than that," they explain.
Stock rotation is another essential part of their strategy. They refresh their stand weekly or fortnightly, shifting items around and curating themed areas to keep things visually appealing.
We regularly move our stock around, create themed areas, restock, and tidy at least fortnightly—sometimes weekly, depending on what new stock we have or if a major item sells. We are already planning a spring display!"
Why Visit Stand H6?
Nick and Tracy’s dedication to their craft and their friendly, approachable nature make Stand H6 a standout destination at The Warehouse Antiques & Collectibles. Over the years, they have built strong relationships with customers, even selling to Hollywood celebrities and making lifelong friends through the vintage trade.
One of their most memorable customer interactions involved a large Jesus statue that was missing its hands.
"One chap purchased a large Jesus statue that we had which was minus his hands," they recall. "The chap was a mechanic and put spark plugs in the sockets and sent us a photo of it on display. It looked fab!"
They also find joy in seeing where their items end up.
"We love it when our customers get back in touch with a photo of the item they have bought and what they have done with it," they share.
Whether you’re a collector, a decorator, or simply looking for a unique gift, Stand H6 offers an incredible variety of items at fair prices, all backed by a genuine passion for antiques.
Buy things that you like and would be willing to have in your home," they advise. "Also, consider the price and whether you would purchase it at the price you want to sell it at."
Next time you visit The Warehouse Antiques, be sure to stop by—you never know what treasure you might find!