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Interior Design is a very personal choice, and not everyone will agree on the best practice. We can comment, however, on how we see things through our own business. We have now been trading for a couple of years and It is interesting to us, how some trends appear out of nowhere, or reappear and yet some never go away.
Pieces such as kitchen items, old wooden frames, vintage artwork, classic mirrors, vintage seating, and unusual lighting seem to be an ongoing theme for us, whereas other items like brown furniture, industrial pieces and the quirkier items are just starting to pick up. We are sure that if you asked 10 dealers of vintage, collectables or antiques they will all have a different take on it – which just makes it even more interesting for us all.
To a large extent, it depends on several things, such as the location, our clientele and sometimes, simply ‘what we can get our hands on’. We can never get enough good quality side tables, consoles, and garden items. It does seem that interior design trends are looking for the lovely combination of old and new, so this helps to drive demand on props and practical classic pieces that are out there.
We are sure – like all dealers – we are all drawn to what we like and sometimes we cannot help ourselves from buying random items that may not, in fact, be very commercial or practical. We can only hope that if we like it someone else might too. It’s not always great business sense, but it’s very rewarding to see unique pieces find their way to a new home.
We guess the key for us is going for quality, or something unusual, or an item that has a niche interior appeal. Where can we see it going, in someone’s house, garden, or shed? Can they use it today or can it be put to another use? This is the game we play and then we invest in the things that tick some or all the boxes.
So, coming back to what’s hot and what’s not…. Well in a nutshell and in our opinion, it is less about ‘antiques’ and more about the right ‘look’. It could be something made in 1970 which is only 51 years old, but the styling might be timeless, the quality and design is something that simply cannot be bought today.
In summary it doesn’t really matter if something is ‘hot’ or ‘not’ as it is asking the wrong question. You should be asking yourself the following questions: Is it well made ? Does it offer a use or function in the home ? Does it really appeal to you? If yes, then it is worth investing in.

The problem :

When our old sofas, chairs or footstools finally give out, many of us would think,
“Great, lets buy a new one!”. However, it can be sad to lose a ‘trusted friend’ that has offered comfort and support for so many years. The solution to this problem is simple – do not throw it out!

The solution :

Try to renovate the item to save it from going into landfill. You may need to adapt the style to suit your needs, but now is the perfect time to adjust the look and feel of your ‘old friend’.

You may need a firmer seat to give extra support or higher back cushions for added comfort. At the very least, new interiors can change the seating immediately.
Often, a valance or skirt on the base of a sofa can make it look more classic or formal, so if you are going for a more modern look, lose the valance and have a plain front. You may be able to change the colour and design of the leg to make it look less traditional. Try changing from a turned leg to a tapered leg. These are some things to consider if renovating – and they can completely change the look and feel of your old furniture.

Generally, renovations should cost around 75% the cost of new furniture. I am basing this on good quality frames that often have at least 25yrs warranty on them (but often last a lot longer than that.)
Springs may need changed, but a good upholsterer will always check thoroughly to ensure the complete item is sound. The items will come back to you as good as new, looking fresh with your new choice of fabric and design tweaks added. It is very rewarding when doing projects on old furniture as they really do get a second life.
So, if you are considering throwing out your old upholstery furniture, think again. The planet will thank you, and so will your bank balance ! Plus, good friends are hard to find so if you have one keep them close.

You can have a look at some of our renovated items in our store.

Now, more than ever, we need to think about repurposing, renovating, and reinventing old pieces of furniture and homewares. The throwaway culture we are accustomed to is slowly dying and we are turning to more sustainable and eco-friendly options. It makes sense that we stop needless waste and enjoy using older pieces of furniture in our homes.
Often, older pieces of furniture were made to last with quality wooden frames and intricate details. They would have been very expensive in their day, resulting in an item that has been made with real craftmanship.
When you place an antique or upcycled piece of furniture in a room it can offer a unique look. It may have been painted, wallpapered, stencilled or just lovingly sanded and oiled. It can make a room feel lived in and offer an interesting feature in an otherwise plain room. If you decide to renovate an inherited chair or sofa, the fabric you choose might be quite modern – and this does work incredibly well with the older frames. Go bold, bright or patterned or if you prefer, then plain natural linens can also look great. Basically, have some fun with it!
You will often find the design of the more classic pieces of furniture offers unusual shapes or extra comfort due to high backs or recline of the item.
There are plenty of ways of incorporating recycled and antique furniture into a room – whether you have a modern, or period home. Be creative and add other interesting curiosities that mean something to you like an old picture, retro mirror or decorative vintage boxes. It must be personal, or you must be attracted to a particular item for it to work, in our opinion. Part of the fun is finding something that you fall in love with even in its shabby or unloved state. It is rewarding and you are doing your bit for the planet. Most importantly enjoy the challenge!!
So, if you have read my blog this far please do have a look at our online shop and find yourself a gem!