Finding Vintage Furniture

A simple stroll in a antique mall or thrift store to buy vintage furniture is something I love doing.  I get lost in seeing all the ways I can reuse something old. One thing I learned, is that you could  spend more than you intended.  I have friends that do this as a job and they shared with me a few simple rules to follow when making purchases. 

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.

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. 

This is a great side table I bought for my dauther's room from Audrey's in Phoenix. She always has such great items and great prices.