Tips For Buying Vintage Furniture
5/31/2020
 As I wrap up my design topic 'Vintage' for the month of May, I wanted to share my top tips for buying vintage furniture because let's face it, it can be a bit overwhelming because you don’t know which pieces to buy and which to avoid.
1. Avoid Pieces That Are Unstable This seems like a given. If the piece has been exposed to water and/or extreme temperatures. These conditions cause wood to swell and shrink as well as loosening glue in joints and destroying paints and finishes. These pieces will not be functional again without a lot of repair. 2. Make Sure The Piece Fits In Your Space If you are like me it is easy to get distracted by the beauty in a piece of furniture, but that doesn't mean it is going to be the right piece for your space. Prepare before shopping by making a list and taking measurements (height, width and depth) of the space you’re hoping to fill. 3. Avoid Pieces That Are Stained, Stinky, and Potentially Infested As a matter of fact, burn them. Okay, obviously I'm not promoting arson here, but always give a piece of furniture the “sniff test”. Mustiness can be aired out, but strong pet or smoke odors are next to impossible to remove from all the layers of foam and batting. 4. Timeless Pieces Are Always A Win The best thing about buying vintage or antique furniture is the timeless quality they give your space. If the style of a piece looked good 50 or 100 years ago and it still looks good today, it’s a purchase that’s likely to look good in another 50 to 100 years. 5. Just Because It's Cheap, Doesn't Mean You Should Buy It When making a buying decision, take the price out of the equation. Even if it’s $5, would you pay more for it? Do you love it that much? Do you have the perfect spot for it? If the answer to those questions is yes, go for it! If you wouldn’t pay good money for it, it’s not worth buying. These tips are based on years of experience shopping for, fixing up, and reselling antique and vintage furniture. I made all of the mistakes, so you won’t have to.
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  Photo Courtesy of Knotly Handcrafted *this post contains affiliate links My design topic for the month of May is- 'Vintage' and it is no surprise that these vintage staples have made a comeback! In fact, they are better than ever! Gold Did it ever really go out of style? I don't know about you, but gold is one of my favorite finishes in a home. Champagne bronze is fresh and subtle. Faucets, frames and fixtures are taking a break from chrome and brushed nickel. Macrame Hell yes!!! This kitschy look dates back to the 1970s. Macramé is a form of textile-making that’s made up of hand-tied knots instead of knitting with needles or weaving on a loom. Many of the original ’70s designs have resurfaced, like plant holders and wall hangings but with a more minimalist touch that makes the designs less “groovy” and more boho chic...refer back to my last blog post. I used macrame dream catchers in my daughter's room. Not too mention Toscano Interiors carries some pretty awesome macrame wall hangings. Graphic Art Another cool trend from the 1970s, graphic art often showed up as framed posters. These pieces are impactful and unique, perfect for a dramatic focal point in a room furnished with clean-lined furniture. Geometric Patterns Taken from ancient Greece and Morocco, this trend was huge during the Art Deco period in the 20's. These patterns offer classic bold aesthetics with a sharpness that feels both playful and sleek. Mirrored Kitchen Backsplashes I wonder where this trend could have derived from??? Well the disco era of course!! The 70's and early 80's this look was all about adding a touch of glam, and even opening the room up a bit. Today, this trend is popping up in traditionally styled kitchens, infusing the simplicity with some glamour.  Photo Courtesy of Designing Idea |
Author, Candance Toscano"You can design the life of your dreams and acquire that luxurious, fulfilled and empowered lifestyle you know you have always wanted." Archives
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