June 29, 2009
Adding Soul With Vintage Finds
I’ve decided that June is my favourite month because it’s usually the time of year when I get to scratch that itch I call, ‘a project’. I thrive on having a project to tackle, and even though it’s what I do for a living, I still get pumped about transforming a piece of furniture or a room.
These days I’ve been hitting the jackpot with some of my thrift/Craigslist/curbside scores, so I’ve got lots of projects to complete. But it has me wondering — why do I do this? What is the purpose of all this dumpster-diving, and why do I feel the need to collect all this junk? Well, for me, the answer comes easily: these pieces add soul.
Take a look at this home, designed by Windsor Smith for example. Tons of soul!
This room simply wouldn’t work if everything in it came brand new from a showroom. Sure, the sofa and ottoman may be new (although they each have a historic form) but look at those inlaid chairs! What about the quirky chandelier (in a living room no less!) and that collection of pottery on top of the vintage armoire? This is why I hunt junk.
When used carefully, flea market finds add history and layers to a room. They are the antithesis of that new car smell, and give a home a relaxed, personal vibe that is inviting and oh-so-much-more-interesting.
Now, onto those projects! This week I picked up two Chippendale-style chairs from Craigslist for $50 each and a classic spool-style bed in a perfectly untouched, raw-wood state of unfinish (also Craigslist for $100). The bed, I know will be left as is, and used in a client’s guest bedroom against a wall in Farrow & Ball’s Pale Powder. The chairs are for another client and I haven’t decided whether or not to paint them and cover the seat in linen, or leave them natural and cover the seat in something punchy. Any thoughts?
But my BEST scores last week were five vintage Thonet wooden chairs painted Pepto-Bismol pink. They were spied on my way home from the magazine, poking out of a heap of garbage bags. You know I had to grab those! Turns out the same ones are published in Domino: The Book of Decorating! I’m not exactly sure where these will end up, but you know they’re going to take a room from ho-hum to hallelujah!
So please, my little bloglettes, don’t turn your nose up at vintage finds (even those in the garbage) because when you give them a new home — your home — they will reward you with stylish soul.
For more hunting tips, check out our Top 10 Flea Market Finds.
Photo credits:
1. Windsor Smith
2. Windsor Smith
3-5. Michael Penney
6. Windsor Smith
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Comments
I love the vintage chairs as well. I don't see the need to re-upholster these pieces, but that always seems to be the advice I get whenever I find one that I want to purchase. To me, if the material is in good condition, no stains, why change a good thing, right?
Thanks Samantha! I'm so glad you've been inspired to hunt junk a little! Let me know how your finds turn out...
Michael, your blog has inspired me to start keeping one eye on the road and one eye on the curb when I am driving along. I'll admit, I have pretty much been a "brand spanking new" kind of girl when it comes to, well, everything. I've always thought that I liked the look of something crisp and clean and modern and NEW. But, as I look through your pictures and read your thoughts, I am realizing that my "brand-new" furniture doesn't hold a candle to your vintage finds. So...following in the steps of H&H's affordable style guru, I recently picked up an old bench on the side of the road, a little rickety and weather worn. It's certainly not an antique and probably isn't worth a nickle. But hey, it's a jumping off point. I fixed it up a bit and now it looks great in my garden. I also stopped by a yard sale yesterday...which I have always been kind of scared to do but your blogging wisdom has softened my fears a bit. Again, bought something for the garden. Maybe someday soon I will come across something for indoors! In the meantime, keep the good ideas coming!
Janice - Windsor Smith has got TALENT, non? I love her work, too! The walls in the dining room - I can't tell! They may be wallpaper (my first guess) but the way the pattern starts just above the chair rail makes me wonder if it's painted on... Either way, there are papers like this on the market - search for ones with a "tree of life" motif, which has been popular for years and years. Thibaut is a wallpaper company with a good website for ideas and products. It's available at Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics.
As for the bookcases - check out the video of my apartment on our website to see how I made my faux built-ins out of inexpensive Ikea basics. And thanks for the feedback!
It's ironic, isn't it, how dumpster diving can result in such a classy room? I love it all - my heart pines for a set of bookshelves like the one in the second picture, to pack full with the books and trinkets that I love.
I have to ask about the wall in the last picture, though. Is that floral pattern painted on, or is that wallpaper? If it is wallpaper, I'd love to know where to find it.
My bedroom is currently empty, except for the bed. I've been determined to track down some bedside tables and a dresser at garage sales or auctions, and then paint them to suit my style. I've been frustrated with the search - I wish I lived in a bigger city with more choice - but you've inspired me to keep looking. Thank you!
My blog: furflies@blogspot.com
Wow, what great finds! Good headboards can be hard to find and often pretty pricey - I love the one you have found on Craigslist. As for the chairs, I think my vote is for painting them. Let us know how everything turns out with some "after" shots!! Thanks for your ideas and fun-to-read blog, Michael.
I adore a good hunt. Windsor Smith's room is charming. I love the coffee table/bench. You give terrific examples of repurposing "finds". It is truly rewarding to give a piece a new life and save it from a landfill. I love the fact that they have history even though you may have to invent it. Soul indeed!
Deb @ dumbwittellher.blogspot.com
Wow, that made me really love vintage! I love the chandelier (even in the living room). I really like the walls with the flowers and birds in that last photo. And that is hilarious that you took chairs straight out of the garbage on your way home from work! haha, they're pretty cute. I have Farrow & Ball’s Pale Powder walls in my bedroom, and I LOVE that bed. Great find!