Upcycling vintage furniture

In my new home I have gained a love of antique and vintage furniture from my OH (Sweep) who used to be an antiques dealer. His knowledge and enthusiasm for older furniture has inspired me and I've starting looking at these items with new potential. In the past I had delved into junk shops and found old pine that I've painted in eggshell white, such as my beloved dresser and my church pew that think came from a chapel in North Wales. I love the history that these items carry and the stories that they could tell. My church pew has a number on the side of it, I wonder who sat there and where they lives, what kind of life did they leave....

So....lately we have been going to local auctions and picking up all kinds of goodies, some unusual items for the home, things to sell on and furniture items to complete the home. It's an evening out with home cooked food and some funny characters, this is rural Shropshire and it's a whole new world to me. Whilst we have been going there, we have picked up cabinets and desks, some to give makeovers to. We both love Halloween, so we had the idea of making a Halloween cabinet for all our spooky treasures that we have been collecting. I love this upcycling  and so I was super pleased when Door Furniture Direct got in touch with regards their campaign around upcycling using their great range of crystal and marble door knobs. 

We have had the idea to paint the cabinets in a crackled black look with green underneath for a  Gothic feel and for door knobs I thought the quintessential Halloween colours would look amazing. I found these fantastic coloured cut glass cupboard knobs in amber, green, black and purple and I thought they would make for the perfect Halloween cabinet to display some of our delicate vintage spook finds so they are able to be seen but protected. I picked up two different sizes for a contrast on the drawers and cabinet doors. 

There are a choice of metal rose too, to compliment your piece of furniture - polished brass, polished chrome or satin chrome. I chose the satin and I particularly love the purple cut glass cupboard knobs, the light shines lovely through them and I think they'd be great on a bedroom wardrobe or dresser too. 

We are going to look for some paint that the vintage shop in my old town sells and Sweep might try some arty effects on another cupboard we have purchased, he really wants to paint a vintage style jack o'lantern. I know it's nearly Christmas but Halloween is such a collectable love of ours so it will carry on all year. We may even try to sell some for other enthusiasts. Back to the auctions over the winter to gather more interesting pieces of furniture and I hope to have a finished piece to show you soon. Upcycling is so satisfying and I'm glad to be having a go again, creating unique items for your home with your own stamp on them. Plus going to auctions is a lot of fun, quality pieces, well made and often purchased for so little so an inexpensive way to do the home up with furniture that will last. Adding different cupboard knobs instantly adds a new look and only takes minutes, it's a good way to match to any other colour accents in a room. 

Doing our home up is going to take a while what with work and children but upcycling gives me a buzz as it is a quick win, a lovely addition in not much time for instant room updates.



*Collaborative post

1940's Tea Room

Weekend, a little spring sunshine in Stratford-upon-Avon and a rumbling of tummies. Into The Four Teas tearoom, sweet notes of Somewhere Over the Rainbow like jam on warm scones and fragrant sips of rose tea. Chatter and clatter, freshly baked bread and blends of tea brewing in fat jolly teapots, shelves of vintage tins and cakes sugar glistening under glass domes....a setting to set off the bunting union jack version of me that likes to drink from teacups stored in parish church cupboards and pop flowers into pressed glass vases.

Inspired by a visit to The Four Teas,........a little selection of items.....

Union Jack bunting, Etsy, £15// Kilner red enamel jam pan, Wares of Knutsford, £49// Woodsware 'Beryl' teacups and saucers - see ebay for similar// Retro glass sugar pourer, Rex, £3.95// Ration book postcards and posters, Etsy, from £4 /// Akai Cream Vintage DAB radio, Very, £39.99// Spotty red PVC tablecloth, Dunelm, £10 // Personalised Union Jack print, Giddy Kipper at Not on the High Street, £13//

10 benefits of vintage furniture

These days we’re drawn to modern convenience, but what are the benefits of going down a more traditional interior design route?

For a long time, vintage furniture has been overlooked in favour of modern alternatives like flatpack, easy-to-assemble seating and surfaces. But it seems like the popularity of vintage and antique décor is starting to rise once more, as these beautiful furniture options begin to get the recognition they deserve.

So why is it that we can’t seem to ever truly let go of our desire for vintage décor in our homes? There are plenty of benefits for going down the antique route, so we’ve decided to put them all in one place to show you why vintage never goes out of style! Here are ten key benefits to filling your home with vintage furniture.

Image source Vinterior

Your furniture tells a story

When you invest in vintage furniture, you’re buying into a long and rich history just waiting to be discovered. Who knows what events that wardrobe or sideboard has seen? Who else has sat in this exact chair, eating at this exact dining table? There are hundreds of stories to be discovered with every item of vintage furniture, and that is one of the most exciting things about such an investment.

Furnishing your homes with antique furniture and décor is a great way to spark up a conversation when you have guests over to visit. These items remind us of long gone eras which are endlessly fascinating, giving us a world of conversation and speculation to enjoy and discuss. 

You are opting for quality

Vintage furniture is, as a rule, very well made. These are items which have been lovingly crafted as a one-of-a-kind treasure which stands the test of time, and if it has lasted this long then it’s pretty much guaranteed to stand sturdily in your home for many years to come.

The other aspect of vintage furniture that makes it stand the test of time is the fact that imperfections and wear can be embraced. Unlike more modern alternatives — where a mug ring or a scuff mark is often thought to be nothing short of a disaster — the scuffs and scrapes we find on vintage furniture can be enjoyed as signs of its long and fascinating life up until this point. 

Image source: Vinterior

There is a lot of choice out there

Vintage doesn’t have to just mean one thing. It could mean a Victorian item with all the bells and whistles, or a 1920s art deco statement piece. History is an expansive and diverse subject, and with so many items from so many eras there is bound to be an item of vintage furniture which fits perfectly into your home. 

Vintage is a green option

Opting for vintage furniture is a delightful way to treat your home and do your bit for the environment. By their very nature, antiques are recycled and reused time and time again. They are built to last and to thrive, meaning they won’t need replacing any time soon.

So by purchasing a piece of vintage furniture, you are carrying on the life cycle of an item with a long and (perhaps) illustrious history. 

You can create contrast

You might think that the option of vintage furniture is off the table unless your home itself is old and grand, but this simply isn’t the case. Contrast is always a good thing when it comes to interior design, because it makes people sit up and take notice of the effort you’ve put into decorating your home. So even the most contemporary space can benefit from a touch of something more traditional.

Antique furniture brings its own energy and personality to any part of your home, with a unique design and texture you can play off in the rest of your décor. Choosing furniture from various periods of time will allow your items to balance each other, coming together to create something interesting, fun and truly original. 

Image source: Vinterior

Vintage pieces are above trends

Vintage furniture may be less likely to be the trendiest item on the market, but these pieces are also unlikely to go completely out of fashion too. There is a reason why vintage furniture has lasted so long — it is always welcome and showcases the very best of design from a particular era. Vintage furniture is by definition a classic, meaning you can never really go wrong with it.

So when you invest in a piece of vintage furniture, you never have to worry about updating your décor in a few years’ time to fall in line with current trends. A stylish, stunning piece of furniture with a long history behind it is always a fashionable choice. Just be sure to source your furniture from trusted and experienced marketplaces like Vinterior. 

They will increase in value

They say that when you buy a new car, the value starts to decrease as soon as you take it off the forecourt. The same rule can be applied to new furniture. As soon as you get it home and start to actually use your new dining table or armchair, the value begins to fall rapidly. But this isn’t the case when you decide to go vintage.

Antique furniture is a good decision when investing for the long haul. Vintage furniture which is well-cared for can even increase in value as time goes on and it gets older, meaning if you do decide to sell it on you may be looking at a tidy profit.
They are also surprisingly cost effective

One thing which often puts people off investing in vintage furniture is the perception that it’s going to cost an arm and a leg. But you may be surprised to learn that, more often than not, going vintage can be an extremely cost effective decision to make.

While the rise of big brands has led to firm favourites for new furniture increasing their prices (like IKEA’s infamous price hike in late 2017), you can take advantage of the situation by snapping up some stunning antique items for less than you might have thought. 

Image source: Vinterior

You are making a statement

Having one or two vintage items will help them act as centrepieces in your home, whether it’s a dining room table, a bedroom wardrobe or a living room armchair. These are the kinds of items which command attention from both you and your guests, helping your interior design flourish.

The details you find on vintage furniture items mean they are guaranteed to make a statement, and you can use this as inspiration in the rest of your wider décor. 

Vintage furniture is truly unique

The final and best benefit of vintage furniture is that you know you are getting something which is unique to your home. No two pieces of vintage furniture are exactly the same, meaning your home is the only place to find an item which is as stunning and eye-catching as the one you have chosen. 

Image source: Vinterior

Morecambe Vintage by the Sea

{restored Midland Hotel, a streamline moderne Art Deco style built in 1933}

{vintage folk all around Morecambe for Vintage by the Sea}

{old electricity substation Trip the light fantastic}

{A classic car rally}

{WWII Spitfire}

{Vintage ice cream by Kate Sundae, a creative lady that as well as icy treats did the urban murals around Morecambe}

{The old railway station in the background, now the tourist office and an arts venue}

{Neptune and Triton medallion by Eric Gill and is at the top of the circular staircase in the hotel’s central tower}

{A nice trip along the prom in one of the Ribble Vehicle Preservation’s Trust’s heritage buses}

 Morecambe is such a hive of art with so much to see, second visit this year and it's clear to see the magnitude of effort put in to ensuring that this seaside resort is not forgotten. Vintage by the Sea is just one of the many initiatives for the town has something on each month. With a beautiful shoreline too and views across the bay to the hills of Cumbria, Morecambe is perfect for a stroll and an ice cream.

Market day

 More an afternoon out for me but a great learning experience for my son with so much to see, hear, smell and taste at the market in our local country town. Live music played by the town church and a man squeezed the air out of an accordion with a little French sounding tune. Vintage curiosities shouted 'buy me, buy me' , a feast for the eyes of stalls laden with colourful china plates and cups or terrecotta pots filled with flowers. We ate, we looked, I quizzed his knowledge of what he could see.

Mushrooms, cakes, dolls, giraffes.

A jolly coloured tin came home and so did bellies full of coffee eclairs and cheese. A winning combination.

Oh là là

 I love France but haven't been for so long. Part of the master life plan is to move down south so we can get to France a lot easier and start exploring the country. Until then, a little bit of France can come to us. 

The precious trend: Graham and Brown

With living in a Victorian house I gravitate towards old items and have quite a lot of treasures that are precious to me, usually with a little story attached to them. 

 “Precious is an appreciation for all things vintage and antique. W​hether you are redecorating, buying a few wall art pieces, or simply making a statement of your attic treasures, make sure you have fun with this one. Create your very own museum of you, full of memories.” – ​The Precious Trend

My house has been called a museum on more than one occasion and I can't deny that I have a bit of an obsession with creating vignettes for the seasons or for putting together a little collection. I tend to do this on the mantle, the dresser and in the printers tray on the wall. I collect such an array of trinkets and have great enjoyment in what I call faffing.