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Effectively Consignment Shopping for Home Décor Items
September 27, 2010 in Uncategorized | Tags: accessorizing a home, antique, antique shopping, buying local furniture, consignment shopping, decorating with antiques, decorating with consignments, green decorating, green design, green interior design, recycled furniture, reusing furniture, unique home decor | Leave a comment
I am an avid consignment and antique shopper. For me there is nothing like finding that uniquely perfect treasure for the perfect spot in my home. Its like a treasure hunt. I love the idea that I’m also giving an old piece a new lease on life, thus recycling it and helping to keep it out of the landfill.
Recycling high quality older pieces is a fantastic way to low cost decorate, to give a great piece a new life and to add unique and one of a kind pieces to your home décor. However, there are some simple strategies to effectively maneuvering the consignment shops so that you are getting the most for you money and time.
*When it comes to consignment shopping, not all shops are created equal. Look for shops that discriminate. Good consignment shops will only accept pieces that are in good shape and that have good potential for someone else. Ask the store owner what their policy is for accepting consignment items.
* Keep an open mind. When shopping a consignment shop, try to think beyond what a piece is to what it could be. An old lamp can be given new life with a new shade. Curtain panels could be converted to valances or accent pillows. Focus on the potential of a piece versus its current state. Can it use some paint, a new shade, a light sanding? How can you transform that piece into something spectacular?
*Let your creative juices flow and don’t be afraid to try something new. Consignment shopping provides an opportunity for trying out new decorating techniques and ideas. Since you are typically paying lower prices for these pieces, it would not be so painful if something went wrong with your creative project.
*Look for quality. Just because the piece is being consigned doesn’t mean it should be sturdy, of good quality and safe. Be cautious of peeling paint or rusting nails and screws. Just like if you were shopping for new items, consider the quality of piece being purchased.
*Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Some consignment shops will keep items for only thirty days. After fifteen days, the price is usually dropped and the consignment shops and consigners are typically more willing to negotiate the price of an item. I always say, if you don’t ask you won’t know. See if the shop would be willing to reduce the price or sell a combination of items for lower price.
*Get to know the shop owners or staff. Getting to know the store staff will allow them to get to know you and your tastes. Perhaps the next time something that would appeal to you comes in, they will contact you directly to let you have first dibs. Or perhaps you are looking for something specific, if you know the staff you can ask them to keep an eye out for this item on your behalf.
*Drop by your favorite shops often. As I mentioned before, good consignment shops will keep items on display for about thirty days, which means there will be a lot of rotation and fresh items coming into the shop weekly. By stopping by often you reduce the risk of missing out on that perfect items you’ve been looking for.
*Consider consigning your older, good quality pieces. You can make some money towards your your items and will give someone an opportunity to give your great piece a new life. Be sure to think about the minimum you are willing to accept for the item and speak with the shop owner or staff to make sure you can get that for your item. Also, if you want your items returned if they do not sell, you must make arrangements to return and pick them up at the end of our consigning period. Make sure they make a note of it and make sure you keep track or your consignment timeline.
Consignment shopping is a fantastic way to add unique, one of a kind pieces to your home décor. I hope you find these tips useful for effectively shopping your local consignment shops. Good luck and happy hunting!
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Choosing the Perfect Accent Chair
July 20, 2010 in Uncategorized | Tags: accent chairs, accessorizing a home, beautiful home, chairs, custom window treatments, decorating, decorating with antiques, furnishings, furniture, green interior design, home decor, Interior decorating, interior decorator, interior decorators, interior design, interior designer, perfect accent chair | Leave a comment
I love accent chairs. If it were up to me, the whole house would be full of beautiful accent chairs in all sorts of fun and funky fabrics. I guess it is up to me, however, having a home full of fun and funky accent chairs would not be very practical for my growing family. So I’ve settled a few beautiful accent chairs in interesting design styles and textures to finish off my living room and family room and am excited because I have found the perfect fabric for some accent chairs that I will one day have in my master bedroom. Accent chairs are a great way to add additional, movable seating to a space and to add pops of color, texture and/or interest to as space. Because they are usually a bit smaller, they can easily withstand a bolder fabric that really reflects you style. Because they are smaller they are also easier and less expensive to reupholster if you happen to get sick of that bolder fabric. There are many incredibly beautiful chair design styles you can use in your decor. The slipper chair has become quite popular in recent years as a great accent chair choice. Here is a picture of a pair of slipper chairs I have used in my family room. If you read my blog this is not the first time you’ve seen these. Recently we purchased the second chair to match and finish off the seating in the living room. It is the Bassett Furniture Chandler Chair in Raffia. You’ve also seen the beautiful, t-back exposed wood chairs upholstered in a blue knit fabric. These finish off my family room so nicely. The fabric is actually quite soft and the chairs are really comfortable. Yes, I said I was done in there but honestly, my work is never done. We switched the wood coffee table we had in the family room to the living room and bought the Peekaboo Coffee Table (www.cb2.com) CB2 last week. We love how it opens up the space and allows a full, clear view to the fireplace. Here are other beautiful accent chairs from other projects we’ve worked on:
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Should I Reupholster that Sofa? or Chair? Or…
July 14, 2010 in Uncategorized | Tags: accent chairs, accessorizing a home, antique, antique sofa, beautiful home, chair reupholstering, chairs, choosing a fabric for reupholstery, custom draperies, decorating, decorating with antiques, furnishings, furniture, green decorating, green design, green interior design, green paint, Interior decorating, interior decorators, interior design, interior designers, refinishing furniture ideas, Reupholstering, reusing furniture, sofa reupholstering | Leave a comment
As I said in my last post, reupholstering old pieces is a great way to give them new life and to recycle. It can save the piece from being tossed and in some cases can save you money from having to buy a new piece all together (depending on the fabric you choose, if you embellish, etc.) So how do you know if a piece is worthy or reupholstery? There are few tips that I can provide to help you decide.
*How is it holding up? Are the cushions deflated, flattened or lumpy? Has it basically retained its shape over the years? How are the cushions constructed? There are many materials from which your cushions could be constructed, including: down (most expensive), down lined with Decron Polyester fibers or Blendown (still expensive), and polyurethane wrapped in cotton or other fibers (most reasonable) are among the most common fillings. If your cushions are made of high density, good quality foam they will not have broken down (or would have broken down less) over time. Even your cushions are not holding up, however, there are other factors to consider in the construction of your sofa so don’t let this be the only deciding factor. A good upholsterer can always provide you with new cushions to replace poor quality ones (of course, this will add to your overall price).
Here is another picture of the 50’s sleeper sofa I purchased and had reupholstered in a linen blend fabric…
*Does it have good, solid bones? If the piece is sturdy, strong and well constructed, you should definitely consider giving it a facelift. One of the tell tales signs of a quality piece of furniture is the joint system. Good quality pieces have mitered joint systems or are dovetailed or tongue and grooved, and the frames are often glued and screwed together. If the piece is made of particle board or plywood and the frame is held together with staples, it is probably not worth investing in reupholstery for the piece.
*Quality of exposed wood – if your piece has any exposed wood (dining chairs, sofas with wood legs, etc.) what kind of shape is the wood in? If it has a few knicks and scratches it can probably be repaired fairly easily or these can add to the charm of the piece. If the wood is rotted or broken or falling apart, you may want to reconsider as it may be costly to repair the piece. Painting or restaining exposed wood is also an option but you may have to do some heavy sanding to remove any top coat that has been added so that the piece will take new paint or stain. Here are pictures, before and after of my breakfast room chairs which I got from an old neighbor when I fell in love with the back design and I repainted and reupholstered them to be more interesting and updated.
*Does it, or can it work with your existing or new decor? It is important to consider if refacing a piece will allow it to fit more nicely into your decor. There are some very creative things that can be done with old pieces to bring them up to date and give them updated style. You can get creative with your fabric choice. I love seeing traditional wingback chairs in very contemporary or graphic fabric patterns and colors, for example. Don’t discount a piece because it simply looks dated. Think about how you could make it into a contemporary piece that is perhaps fun and funky, or unique, or almost art like. Paint can take furniture a long way these days. Take a look at these pictures…
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Simple Ways to Decorate Green
July 11, 2010 in Uncategorized | Tags: antique shopping, antique sofa, aura, buying local furniture, decorating with antiques, green decorating, green design, green interior decorating, green interior design, green paint, Interior decorating, interior decorator, interior decorators, interior design, natura, refinishing furniture ideas, Reupholstering, reusing furniture | 1 comment
I am sometimes overwhelmed at the thought of going green. I know I have to do it, I know how important it is but I also know that it can be challenging. There is so much to think about, and research and learn and do to go green. I often find myself frustrated that I am not doing more. Then I take a step back and realize that every little bit that I do helps and that it is becoming much easier to do more and more, its becoming a lifestyle, a gradual change that, because it is important to me, is naturally occurring in my life. I wanted to break down a few simple steps that I have taken to be more green in my own personal decorating. I hope that you can take a few these ideas and incorporate them into your lifestyle so that you too can contribute to preserving mother nature.
*Recycle – don’t just throw out that old piece of furniture or accent pillow or accessory – think about a new way that you could reuse it in your design. Perhaps reupholster it (in an organic fabric would be best, or in a great remnant that you find at your local fabric store). Perhaps just moving to another room can give it a new life. Maybe it needs refinishing, at the same time helping a small local business by providing them work. Try to think outside of the box and give the old piece new life.
If it simply won’t work with your decor, think about consigning it. You can make a little money while letting someone else give the old piece a new life. Check out this sofa that I purchased at an estate sale and had reupholstered and some other treasures found at antique shops…
*Buy from local consignment stores and antique shops – give those old pieces a new lease on life. I am a consignment store junkie. If you read my blog you know how often I find fantastic treasures at STUFF and The Very Thing in Haymarket. I love treasure hunting and finding unique pieces that you won’t fine anywhere else. Paint, reupholstery, refinishing can all go a long way and can bring out your creativity. Craigslist is also a good place to find quality home furnishings and other items at great prices. I have found the most amazing chairs on Craigslist. Check them out…
*Buy local – find furniture and other household items that are made locally. I am a Bassett Furniture dealer partly because Bassett manufactures much of it furniture right here in Virginia. I give local, small companies business as often as I can and I try to make sure my fabrics and furnishings are made in the USA as much as possible. We live in a global economy where its often hard to tell where things are coming from. Simply asking the question and doing a little research can go a long way. Check out my Bassett Furniture chairs and dining table…
*Using Low and No VOC Paints – We hear a lot about VOCs these days. VOCs are volatile organic compounds and they are hazardous to the environment and to our health. Luckily, most paint manufacturers are responding to the demand for more environmental and health conscious products by creating paints that have low and no VOCs. Not all are successful at making a product that is still of quality and easy to handle. Some, however, have the technology down to a science. I am a huge fan of Benjamin Moore paints. I have used both the Aura and the Natura paints and love, love, love the way they paint. They are more expensive than big box store brand paints but I feel its worth the extra cost in the health of my family and the health of the environment. Plus, I have found that both of these paints go on easier than most other paints that I have tried. My entire house so far has been painted in either Aura or Natura paints from Ben Moore. Aura is a low VOC paint and Natura is a no VOC paint. Check out a few pictures…
Decorating green does not have to be overwhelming or difficult. Try out a few of these tips and ideas and you will be on your way to helping the environment and your family breathe a little easier.