Timeless Treasures

For decades, the brown furniture of our parents’ and grandparents’ homes sat unloved in thrift shops or was dumped in landfills. Even good antiques only saw appeal from dedicated collectors.

But all that has changed. Now, vintage furnishings are being updated and proudly displayed all over social media.

The change was brought about by a convergence of events.

First, pandemic lockdowns caused many homebound to reconsider their surroundings. When choosing ways to revamp lived spaces, orderers face lengthy delivery dates on new furniture.

Secondly, environmental concerns kicked in; dumping 10 million tons of furniture a year in landfills no longer seemed acceptable.

Thirdly, inflation hit, making us a nation of price tag watchers.

Jenna Mann of Decorating Dilemmas in Tallahassee finds that upcycled vintage furniture such as this desk, armchair and side table is comfortable and familiar. “And, let’s face it,” she said, “the quality of vintage furniture surpasses that of most new furniture.” Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: FollowTheFlow

According to designer Jenna Mann of Decorating Dilemmas, Tallahassee is all in and embracing the used furniture trend. She routinely shops estate sales and online sites for pieces that deserve a makeover and will fit her clients’ homes.

While many designers usually recommend avoiding upholstered pieces, Mann is unafraid.

Reupholstering is one of her specialties, and she admits to enjoying giving a tired old sofa or chair an up-to-date look while still preserving its good bones.

“I’m especially attracted to upholstered chairs with prettily turned legs,” she said. “I also look out for great tables and cabinets and give them whatever TLC they need. Upcycled vintage furniture suits so many homes — it’s comfortable and relatable. And, let’s face it, the quality of vintage furniture surpasses that of most new furniture.”

Vintage 101

Vintage furniture “mixes well with modern pieces and creates great personal style,” says Paul Shalako of Memory Lane Antiques in Tallahassee. “Even homeowners living in a newly built house want one-of-a-kind pieces to warm up their spaces to balance the newness.” Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: FollowTheFlow

Used furniture hunters can find treasures at thrift shops; neighborhood, yard and estate sales; antique emporiums; auctions; and online sites, such as eBay — though buying from nearby sources is the eco-friendly way to go.

Consider one’s trash as another’s treasure. That might seem tacky, but realtors say they’re amazed at how many people will leave perfectly good furniture at the curb rather than transporting it to a new house.

Designer Anna Osborne of Studio A Interiors, recommends always looking for quality.

“Ask yourself if the piece of furniture looks cheap or is a solid piece that’s just outdated,” she said. “If it looks dated, reupholstering, staining and new hardware can bring it into the here and now.”

The size of each piece should also be taken into consideration. Consider whether new-to-you furniture will be a good fit for your home. Mix intricate pieces with heavier items. Osborne also recommends mixing metals — but never more than three types in the same room.

“Go for pieces you find beautiful and meaningful,” she continued. “You’ll love the soft and lived-in feel they’ll give a room.”

Antique How-tos

Paul Shalako, owner of Memory Lane Antiques in Tallahassee, is in agreement with Osborne — go for quality.

“Be it Victorian, Mid-Century Modern or Americana, check for sturdiness and good bones,” he said. “If the quality is there, the piece will hold its value.”

Shalako also believes these quality pieces have soul.

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Maxshot

“They mix well with modern pieces and create great personal style,” he added. “Even homeowners living in a newly built house want one-of-a-kind pieces to warm up their spaces to balance the newness.”

Antique furniture also comes with a history and a story to tell.

Shalako has an antique worktable dating back to 1750 that was used for the ritual of keeping candles and wicks in good order. The table has a small drawer for the lighting tools, and Shalako calls it the perfect end table.

“In fact, you might call it the forerunner of the end table,” he said.

When considering reupholstering, Osborne has a word of warning.

“Use a professional upholsterer,” she advised. “The fabric can be a print, solid or texture as long as it doesn’t compete with the shape or form of the furniture. Otherwise, you could sacrifice the charm of the original piece.”

Upcycling Guidelines

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Andrey Sayfutdinov

RUST-OLEUM, whose product lines include brush and spray paints, offers on its website six tips for making the most of an upscaling experience.

1. Pace Yourself – Don’t tackle something huge on your first go. It will seem daunting to you, and you are more likely to give in and give up half way through. Start small, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with knowing that no matter how small, you made it yours.

2. Have fun – Upcycling is supposed to be fun. Don’t shy away from a project, but avoid touching up expensive or sentimental pieces until you’ve practiced on similar surfaces and can approach them with confidence. Instead, revamp dated furniture around the home, or check out a local secondhand shop — you might just discover
a bargain.

3. Prepare – Give yourself the time and space to complete a project. Make sure you have all the tools you’ll need before you start.

4. Prime – An old or secondhand piece is likely to have been treated in the past with coatings that may contaminate your new paint or varnish, causing a reaction and an upcycle fail. In most cases, prepare the surface with a primer. Depending on the paint you use and the surface you are painting, you may not have to use a primer, but a light sanding is always recommended. Just remember to wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth before you start work.

5. Where will your piece live? – Thinking about how the upcycled piece will fit into the color scheme and decor of an existing room will help you figure out the color, finish and accessorizing needed to make the furniture stand out while simultaneously complementing a room.

6. Find inspiration – There are oodles of tutorials, guides and brilliant bloggers to discover and learn from.