Buying Vintage Furniture

Choosing vintage furniture is a good move, it's usually solidly made, it reduces your impact on the environment and can give your home a point of difference, but how do you choose wisely?

A 1950's piece.

First of all vintage furniture is not antique furniture, it's between 30-100 years old so that would be anywhere from 1913-1983. Most people when buying vintage furniture tend to look at the 1950's-1960's but remember the scope is much larger than this. If you are looking at buying a piece because you want to reflect that era, then make sure that the piece (or pieces) are of a classic shape and design. It would be a bit pointless to buy furniture that although was made at the right time, looks like it was made 20 years earlier or later.

For example if you are looking at a piece made in the 1930's it should have an Art Deco look, and may have lacquered wood. 1950's Mid Century pieces often were made with brightly coloured fabric, and chrome tables were also very popular at this time.

An Art Deco seat.

So when you come across a great looking piece at your local garage sale, what do you look for? Make sure it is well made! Trying it out before you pay money for it is a smart move. Feel if the legs are sturdy, if the back is wobbly or if there is any sagging in the seat. Keep in mind that if the bones are good, you can always get it reupholstered to bring a tired piece back to life. Tired looking pieces are usually pried accordingly so it's often a great way to to not only get the right look but also have it fit with your surroundings.

When you purchase from a vintage dealer, you will be paying more, but this is because they often have restored the piece first and they have chosen furniture that is likely to be in better condition than you local op shop.

Here is a great video from a woman who runs a vintage furniture shop in Austin, Texas.

Have you purchased a good piece of vintage furniture? Did you leave it as is, or did you have it reupholstered?

Furniture Trends

I'm sure over the years, you've seen trends come and go, and it's no different with furniture.

What are some of the trends that we've seen recently:

Environmentally Conscious Furniture

With the environment being top of mind in all areas, 'eco-furniture' is here to stay. This means recycled or repurposed materials, wood from sustainable forests, and chemicals that have a lesser impact on the environment.

What girl could refuse?

In 2008 Bruce (my husband) alluded to a romantic leisurely drive from Christchurch to Wanaka. Winding our way through rugged mountains, coffee and champagne lunches beside picture perfect lakes with spectacular snowy alpine views, all to celebrate our 29th Wedding anniversary, I just couldn't refuse.

But there was more to it than that: Warbirds over Wanaka.  Adding that into the weekend would be the icing on the anniversary cake. However, what that truly meant was walking the talk…sales and marketing…with over 80,000 people in attendance and the aircraft manufacturers, pilots, engineers, and enthusiasts lined up to hear about our Amazing Leather Repairs.

Yes it turned into a fantastic opportunity to display and talk about Fibrenew.

How Big is it Really?

You're considering buying a piece of furniture, it's the perfect colour, it's the perfect shape, it would look great in the room, but will it fit? 

It happens to a lot of us; we we see a piece of furniture sitting in someone's house, or on a showroom floor and it doesn't seem so big, and then you bring it into your own house and what do you know, it's much bigger than you really thought. That plush upholstered couch takes up a 1/3 or your living space, and lets not talk about the fight it was to get it in the front door?

So where do you start?

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