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Creative Collector: Spot a Vintage-Furniture Steal
Finding vintage furniture is easy, but is the price right? Get the best chairs, tables and more for your money with these guidelines
I'm a freelance editor and writer who lives right along NYC's East River—on the Brooklyn side. I've been in publishing since moving to the city in the late 90s, worked for many women's and shelter magazines and websites, and I'm now a freelance writer and editor. My side business selling mid-century antiques and collectibles and vintage clothing keeps me trolling flea markets, shops, and stoops for great treasures, here in the city and all over the east coast.
I'm a freelance editor and writer who lives right along NYC's East River—on... More »
A simple stroll into an antiques mall, around a flea market or into a thrift store to buy vintage furniture could have you spending more than you intended unless you follow a few simple rules. Here's how to make your next purchase an educated one.
First rule: Always go for what you’re drawn to, whether it looks like it’s old or made by a slick designer. You can suss out craftsmanship and markings later. Here are some pointers for buying, however, so you don’t lug home any lemons.
Turn the piece over. Make sure all the original wood, plastic, screws, nails and everything else is there, and that the wood matches. Differences in color usually signify repairs. Expect some wear and tear on older items. Sometimes, older pieces with repairs, especially professional-grade fixes, aren’t even devalued. Look for quality joinery techniques such as dovetailing, corner blocks and mortise-and-tenon (tongue-and-groove) joints — all great signs you’ve landed a gem.
Open doors and drawers. Wiggle knobs. Sit down. Armoires, buffets and dressers should be treated as such. If something’s amiss, you’ll know right away. Chairs, stools, benches and sofas shouldn’t give. Move along if the seller won't let you test.
Check the upholstery. Other than obvious signs of damage, do foam cushions seem hard? Is fabric torn along seams or slightly stained? If you’ll have to reupholster a piece, that should be reflected in its price; try to negotiate cost.
Inspect the finish. Wood furniture is generally painted, stained, lacquered and oiled. If you’re open minded about a few dings and chips, then the world is your oyster. Keep in mind: If you’re investing in something really, really old, its original finish should be intact, no matter how decrepit. Otherwise, it’s not worth as much — maybe not even half.
Antiques or reproductions? Both can be pricey, and there are benefits to buying either. Some people are sticklers for the real thing, while antiques just aren’t practical for others. Repros have come a long way, with improved finishes and solid construction. Baker (colonial revival) and White on White (midcentury modern) are two popular dealers.
First rule: Always go for what you’re drawn to, whether it looks like it’s old or made by a slick designer. You can suss out craftsmanship and markings later. Here are some pointers for buying, however, so you don’t lug home any lemons.
Turn the piece over. Make sure all the original wood, plastic, screws, nails and everything else is there, and that the wood matches. Differences in color usually signify repairs. Expect some wear and tear on older items. Sometimes, older pieces with repairs, especially professional-grade fixes, aren’t even devalued. Look for quality joinery techniques such as dovetailing, corner blocks and mortise-and-tenon (tongue-and-groove) joints — all great signs you’ve landed a gem.
Open doors and drawers. Wiggle knobs. Sit down. Armoires, buffets and dressers should be treated as such. If something’s amiss, you’ll know right away. Chairs, stools, benches and sofas shouldn’t give. Move along if the seller won't let you test.
Check the upholstery. Other than obvious signs of damage, do foam cushions seem hard? Is fabric torn along seams or slightly stained? If you’ll have to reupholster a piece, that should be reflected in its price; try to negotiate cost.
Inspect the finish. Wood furniture is generally painted, stained, lacquered and oiled. If you’re open minded about a few dings and chips, then the world is your oyster. Keep in mind: If you’re investing in something really, really old, its original finish should be intact, no matter how decrepit. Otherwise, it’s not worth as much — maybe not even half.
Antiques or reproductions? Both can be pricey, and there are benefits to buying either. Some people are sticklers for the real thing, while antiques just aren’t practical for others. Repros have come a long way, with improved finishes and solid construction. Baker (colonial revival) and White on White (midcentury modern) are two popular dealers.
by decordemon
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Brian Patrick Flynn, the Decor Demon, painted five thrift-store finds in a rich high-gloss red and used stylized trellis-patterned Robert Allen fabric ($22 a yard) on the cushions for a cohesive mod-retro feel. He picked each one for its interesting back. I've seen lone dining chairs like these go for as little as $5 at flea markets, and he spent just $85 on all five chairs.
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Who doesn't love a basic farm table? Perfectly worn, and likely passed from generation to generation, it usually has boards that run the length, not width, of the table. It should be sturdy, heavy and well constructed with mortise and tenon joinery. This one even has leaves.
by Kaylovesvintage
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Eames 1950s DSW (Dining Height Side Chair Wood) fiberglass armchairs and side chairs — with solid wood legs and chrome struts — encircle this mod kitchen table. These chairs were originally manufactured in organic colors such as Straw and Seafoam; turn them over and you'll likely see "Herman Miller" or "Zenith" (albeit rare) stamped onto the seats.
by Niche Interiors
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Some reproductions look as good as the real thing and are made just as well. Take this coffee table, for example. Can you tell it's not from the 1950s?
by A Beach Cottage
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Though repainted, this dusty rose dresser is still darling, befitting a romantic cottage boudoir and worth every penny. The original mirror and hardware are intact. Be sure to open and close the drawers before taking the plunge with something like this, though.
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I'm a sucker for a good leather chair. Worn out and scratched? No matter. The more lived in, the better. This armed, tufted, black number looks impossibly comfortable.
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Some genius designer repurposed a 1900s oak banker's desk as a bathroom vanity. I'll say it again: genius. The desk probably had a rolltop that was either busted or wasn't used. These are some of the heaviest, most solid pieces known to collectors. It's a great example of someone thinking outside the box.
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The designer points out that this vintage loveseat was reupholstered in Lee Jofa linen damask and that she put Larsen silk velvet on the 19th-century walnut side chairs. The luxe fabrics really bring these pieces back to their former glory.
More:
Warm Up Your Bathroom With Vintage Furniture
Sit Pretty With Mismatched Chairs
DIY Project: Slick Oilcloth Tabletop
More:
Warm Up Your Bathroom With Vintage Furniture
Sit Pretty With Mismatched Chairs
DIY Project: Slick Oilcloth Tabletop
into a sink. This idea is a real winner.
Alot of things we sell are antique replicas and
we may include this idea in our line. Thanks and keep
"creating"
tim judge
http://barscigarsandbrew.com
and remember , there's no place like gnome