Vintage Savvy
by
Amy Helmermann, Interior Stylist Retropolitan
Vintage furniture is and has been all the rage
in many parts of the world for some time now.
Maybe it’s their charm. Maybe it’s their spunk
and personality. Maybe it’s an appreciation for
our modern roots. Vintage pieces can be
found in a variety of places these days from
Grandma’s attic to garage sales to modern
furniture auctions. Expect to pay quite a bit for
an authentic piece at an auction, provided the
piece is in very good original condition and
bears a maker’s mark of some sort. But good
pieces don’t have to be expensive. You just
need a good eye and a little luck.
Being up on the popular color palette of your favorite vintage era is a must, as well as being familiar with the
types of fabrics and materials used. For instance, vinyl became very popular
in the 1960’s, and you’ll find many a sofa set or armchair decked out in a
shiny, tufted version (Above photo). And much of the time, that
vinyl was in an artsy shade of orange, chartreuse or aqua. Of course,
graphic black and white were popular as well. And if you find a great piece
that just needs some reupholstering, vinyl is often an inexpensive,
and highly appropriate choice.
While sometimes the reupholstering of vintage pieces can be expensive,
it can be well worth it if the piece is in otherwise great shape or bears a
particularly valuable maker’s mark. However, since vintage pieces are by
nature less than antique, many pieces still wear their original upholstery (Left photo). Just be aware that
fabric can become brittle or weak with wear and may not hold up as well as reupholstered ones. So...handle
with care.
It’s quite vogue to paint vintage pieces in need of a little TLC. This one
(Right photo) is a beautiful example of a Depression era piece with a new
paint treatment. If you’re buying one like this that’s refinished, though,
and you want to be sure it’s really vintage, check inside the doors and
drawers for dark stain and/or maker’s marks. Another way to test a piece
for authenticity is to check for dovetail construction in the joints of the
drawers. Newer pieces are often lacking the integrity of the dovetail
construction most vintage pieces have. You’ll also notice the difference
in the way the drawers operate, the thickness of the wood the drawers are
made of and the weight of the piece in general
Vintage lighting is one of my favorite things. What great personality many of those fixtures had (photos 6 and 7)! Often you find lamps in need of new shades. I find that most shades of the vintage era tended to be much bigger than the average contemporary shade. Many of them were drum shades, which can be expensive to replace. So if you have to purchase a new shade, be sure you’re getting the lamp at a good price and that the wiring is in good shape. And speaking of wiring, when in doubt...rewire!
A last word: Vintage pieces can add charm and real punch to your decor. They’re usually made well, they mix
well with other pieces, and they all have a story to tell. Don’t be afraid to work a little vintage into your style.
Viva la vintage!
Amy Heimermann, interior stylist
Retropolitan
615-429-5000
www.RetropolitanStyle.com
