Here are the fundamentals for buying authentic vintage furniture and adding a bit of je ne sais quoi to your spaces. If you want to furnish your home uniquely with a chair, fine China, home accessories, or even a sofa, you can’t go wrong with authentic vintage pieces!
Tip 1: Learn before acquiring vintage pieces
True vintage shoppers love shopping in person, exploring the endless listings of online stores and marketplaces, and studying a piece's history and designer. So, study the piece you are interested in and leave the house to source inspiration. You can source vintage pieces on online platforms like Legacy Gallery (for sure!) or through social media. However, you must visit flea markets, vintage tradeshows, and design events. They are perfect for good deals, understanding styles and connecting with experts in the vintage furniture world. Knowledge is king when buying popular vintage pieces.
Tip 2: Be patient
Think about the big picture, think long-term, and be patient. Buy one piece at a time, starting with the pieces that will make the most impact. Use different search terms online, visit as many stores as possible, and ask for photos and videos, especially details. Research can be exhausting. Be patient and have fun throughout the process.
Tip 3: Check for the authenticity certificate, tag or stamp
The Legacy Gallery's commitment is to sell authentic and rare furniture pieces. However, remember this when acquiring a vintage piece: check or ask for the authenticity certificate, tag or stamp as it can tell a lot about your new find, from its authenticity to its legacy and history. The authenticity certificate commonly includes price, provenance, condition, and designer, among other information. From the certificate to a tag or stamp, asking for it is a good strategy to buy the right piece and not a reproduction or replicas.
Tip 4: Make a shopping list before going out there
There are hundreds of online stores, social media accounts, vintage stores, and markets to visit. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by a chaotic searching quest. The secret is to think about the pieces you need and want, from style to category and dimensions. Go with a plan, but stay open-minded.
Tip 5: Search for quality
Vintage furniture is not a trend, but a style that illustrates the meaning of timeless design and aesthetic. Invest in pieces that stand the test of time and show high quality from details to the structure and materials.
Tip 6: Make questions and negotiate
Run away from deals that look too good to be true. But always grab the opportunity to negotiate! Who doesn’t like getting a deal? That’s why we are all about online auctions! One of the perks of buying vintage furniture is that the price isn’t set in stone, so use that to your advantage.
Tip 7: Look for something unique
Avoid boring pieces and go with unique, rare items that create special spaces full of personality. From vintage ceramics to bold sofas, rare rugs, cheerful textures, and functional tables, as long as you love, it will work! Finding something unique won’t be asy at first glance. But once you discover the thing that makes a piece unique and rare, you will now it is worth. Also, consider mixing vintage with contemporary furniture. As time passes, vintage furniture becomes increasingly rare, even those that were once mass-produced. This rarity gives your home a sense of style, personality, and individuality, allowing you to achieve a unique decor and vibe that cannot be replicated when furnishing solely with new pieces or by your friends in their houses.
Conclusion
Buying vintage furniture and popular pieces or designer icons adds character to a space that mass-produced simply can’t, it’s better for the planet, allows us to wear our hat of treasure hunters, is often of higher quality and gives meaning to the home you live in. However, buying vintage furniture requires patience, an eye for detail, knowledge, and a great will for treasure search. Stay tuned for more treasure-hunting tips from the experts.
The value of vintage furniture depends on factors such as its brand, designer, age, demand, rarity and condition. Start by research similar pieces in online marketplaces or seek advice from vintage furniture collectors, dealers, or interior designers.
Sources
Forbes Global Property, Interior Designers Share Their Best Tips For Buying Antiques And Vintage Furniture
House Beautiful, The 5 Rules of Shopping for Vintage Furniture
