If you are the type who finds old world charm irresistible, vintage furniture may just be what you are looking for. But before we start on a tutorial on what to do with vintage furniture, let’s first try to understand what it is. Vintage is just a matter of time scale. Anything older than 100 years is considered antique, while anything that falls between 50 and 100 will be seen as vintage. Furniture that falls between 30 to 50 year span is often referred to as retro.
So, vintage is old, but not as much as an antique and not as new as retro! Working with vintage furniture can sometimes be tricky, but it can easily be made to fit in our modern homes. A few tweaks like new cabinet handles India and you’re set to go!
The Beauty of Vintage
Why is vintage so popular? This is in part because of a love for old world craftsmanship and the fact that it is not as hard to source as actual antiques. Vintage furniture, made when wood was not as expensive, is often made of only the best of wood, such as teak. Plywoods were yet to make their presence felt the way they have today. In the case of top vintage pieces, the quality of workmanship is also clearly superior.
These were not factory-lined, eye at the profit pieces. Instead many of these pieces were specially commissioned and clearly made with care, attention and time. All this made the craftsmanship just as important. The fixtures like cabinet handles India will also show the charm of the era, made of materials like brass.
Then there is the fact that vintage furniture is just easier to source when compared to genuine antiques. Being of a more recent pedigree, you can find these in old flea markets, garage sales and even as part of your own inheritance! If you have found a piece like this, but do not quite know what to do with it, read on:
Polish it
If it is a very high quality wood like teak or oak, do not tamper unnecessarily with it. If it looks shabby and old, it probably just needs a good polish. You can also smooth down any rough edges or surfaces at the same time. If the furniture needs minimal attention, just clean it properly. A damp rag is sometime sufficient. For a bit more, a mild soap solution will do the trick. Just make sure to wipe away all the moisture later. You can also use wax polishes to clean it and give it a shine at the same time.
If the furniture looks shabby, you may need some extra work. Perhaps the original owner carried out some misdirected paint job, perhaps the wood is not sealed or perhaps the varnish itself is chipping away. Just sandpaper it to remove the old paint. This should be done in smooth and clean action. Clean it with a rag to remove flecks or dust. Now apply varnish to seal the furniture, while highlighting its beautiful grain.
Making it functional
Sometimes we may need to modify the furniture to suit our needs. Ultimately this has to be functional and any modifications for that have to be carried out. For instance, if you think the drawers in a chest are to unwieldy, get your carpenters to lay them properly. You may also have to remove fixtures and replace with reliable and sturdy cabinet handles India. If an old dresser seems too fussy with an unnecessary mirror, just take out the mirror and make it work desk!
Fitting it to the decor
While vintage furniture is tailor made for vintage decor, it may not fit a more modern or contemporary look. Yet you want to respect its quality or are attached to it for sentimental reasons. In that case, you can easily rework it by giving it a contemporary look. You can achieve this by a simple paint job. Cover the furniture in a light shade for a more contemporary look. Try other clever design ideas like giving a table top an interesting inlay.
You can also try changing the fixture. Today cabinet handles India are available in a wide range – from quirky designs to a range of materials – you will find something to suit all decors and budgets.
