Behind the Brown Door: Vintage Finds in OBA's Red Building in Skien
First comes the red timber frontage. Then the black and yellow sign, the flags by the brown door and a familiar Diplom-Is figure outside. Inside, blue-and-white tableware, decorated glass, colourful clothing and miniature cars offer more reasons to stop than you might have expected.
Welcome to Østlandet Brukt & Antikk's red building at Sliperivegen 28 in Skien. A search for something practical can also become an encounter with design, craftsmanship and everyday memories.
A shop for people who enjoy discovering
Some visitors want a missing cup, a glass or a garment for a particular occasion. Others simply want to look. Both approaches suit the shop. The photographs show a varied selection, from floral cups and serving dishes to bags, dresses and display-case collectables.
Objects find new uses here. A dish from a larger dinner service might become the serving platter you need. A dress can meet a new owner, and a small toy car can revive an old memory.
These photographs are a snapshot of the shop. Individual objects may have sold by the time you visit. Please contact us beforehand if a particular item catches your attention.
Blue and white: examine the tableware
Jugs, plates, bowls and dishes with landscapes and ornament share a colour scheme, but do not necessarily share a maker or date.
Blue-and-white ceramics have a long international history. Chinese examples were adapted by manufacturers in several countries. In British pottery, transfer printing made it possible to repeat detailed decoration using paper transfers. This explains the decorative tradition; it does not date or identify the pictured pieces.
If you are looking for a replacement, inspect the underside for a maker's mark, pattern name or number. Compare diameter, shape and shade. Two plates can look similar while differing in important details.
Bring photographs of the decoration and backstamp on the piece you already own, together with measurements.
A well-set table need not match perfectly
Floral cups, an older jug and decorated glasses can give a table character. A shared colour, similar shape or repeated detail can unite pieces from different services.
Check ceramic rims, handles and joins. Chips, hairline cracks and repairs can affect use and value. Crazing is a network of fine cracks in the glaze, distinct from a crack through the ceramic body.
For glasses, examine the rim and foot in good light, looking for scratches and cloudiness. Ask about materials and decoration when you want to know more about a particular piece.
Suitability for food, drink and cleaning should be checked separately. Age and appearance do not establish whether a piece can tolerate a dishwasher, microwave or particular use.
Clothes ready for another chapter
Bright colours meet darker jackets and knitwear on the clothing rail. Shoes stand beneath, with bags nearby. There is room for a simple addition to a wardrobe or a more individual outfit.
Fit and condition matter as much as a label. Check seams, linings, zips and buttons, with attention to collars, cuffs and underarms. Read material and care labels where present, and try the garment on when possible.
Fabric, cut and fit help you choose something you will actually wear. Examine it in good light and take time to try it.
Small toys, large memories
A display case contains little vehicles in red, blue, yellow and orange. For one visitor, a miniature is a memory; for another, it may begin a collection.
Collectors can examine maker's marks, correct wheels, missing parts and repairs. Original packaging may give more information. Our Norwegian tinplate toy guide explains useful details.
You do not need specialist knowledge to enjoy a visit. Curiosity is a good starting point: ask about an object you would like to understand.
Reuse in everyday life
A pre-owned object finds value when it is used again: the cup at breakfast, the jacket worn outside or the dish brought out for guests.
Ask yourself where it will go, how you will use it, whether the size fits and what care it needs. A thoughtful choice can give pleasure long after the shopping trip.
Finding the red building
Østlandet Brukt & Antikk, Red Building branch
Sliperivegen 28, Skien. Look for the red timber building and black and yellow OBA sign. The entrance is the brown door.
Regular opening times:
Tuesday 11–16
Thursday 11–16
Also open on the last Saturday of each month. Check current information for Saturday hours and additional opening days.
For a visit outside regular hours, contact us to arrange an appointment. Call +47 98 42 39 32 or use our contact page for current shop information.
Bring a wish list if you like, but leave yourself time to discover something you did not know you were looking for.
Background and photographs
Background on blue-and-white ceramics and transfer printing: the Victoria and Albert Museum's Chinese blue-and-white ceramics and V&A's guide to ceramics terms. Condition advice is general guidance for choosing pre-owned objects. Photographs: Østlandet Brukt & Antikk, from our own shop image collection.
