SF Interior Designer Tip: How to Shop for Vintage Furniture
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
The thrill of the hunt comes with shopping for vintage furniture, but it’s vital to keep in mind all of the practical considerations when purchasing a 40 to 50 year-old item. Read on as I walk you through my vintage shopping checklist. Knowing when to walk away and when to snatch up a deal on the spot is half the battle.
A vintage coffee table mixes well with modern upholstery.
Does it have good bones? This is the first thing to look for when a chair, desk, table catches your eye. Test it out. Does it feel wobbly or creaky? Is the wood splitting in any places? Are there obvious alterations made to the original design? If so, walk away. There are a lot of things that are easily fixed, but the inherent structure of a piece is not usually one of them. (Unless you are very handy and have access to lots of tools). If the structure is intact but the wood is a little rough, consider refinishing the wood or rubbing with linseed oil.
Fabric: Re-upholster or leave it? If you find an upholstered piece of furniture that you love, first consider the costs to re-upholster the item. If the fabric is in good condition, you may be able to get away with just a good professional cleaning. If it’s in less than stellar shape, you will want to consider re-upholstering the piece. This can run from about $60 to recover a standard detachable seat to thousands of dollars for reupholstering an entire sofa. Also, consider the cost of quality fabric as well, which ranges from $25 – $150/yard. Generally, dining seats are an easy fix and one that you could even do yourself with a staple gun and a little know-how.
Graceful curves. How does the chair look from the side or back view? Is the overall design cohesive and well executed? Chances are if the manufacturer paid attention to the design details of the piece, the item is also well made.
Price, Rarity. Do your homework on an item before paying top dollar. If the store has information on the designer, then check out similar items on eBay or 1st Dibs to get a sense of how often such items come up for bid. As with anything, the more rare a specific design is the higher premium you will pay. Check for manufacturer’s markings to ensure authenticity. If you see something written on the tag similar to “Eames inspired” just RUN! Anything inspired screams knock-off.
For great local finds check out my post on San Francisco mid-century furniture.
* Need professional help? Interior Designer San Francisco *
Tags: how to shop for vintage furniture, interior designer bay area, mid-century modern interior design san francisco, san francisco interior design newsletter, vintage furniture shopping guide
Posted in Furniture, Quarterly Newsletter | No Comments »
San Francisco Interior Design Newsletter: Bring on the Color!
Monday, February 1st, 2010
As an interior designer in San Francisco, selecting paint colors is one of the biggest challenges I face. The tone of a wall will change with every hour of the day, making it virtually impossible to show a client what a room will look like before it’s actually painted. While I can’t select the perfect paint color for you in a newsletter, I can offer some inspiring color combinations for various rooms in the home. Bust out those rollers and bring some color into your home! Also, check out our Paint & Wallcoverings blog posts for more ideas from a San Francisco color consultant.
Guest bedroom designed by Niche Interiors. Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Wales Green #2028-50
ENTRYWAY. More often than not, entryways are cluttered, overlooked and poorly lit. After installing good lighting (or adding a table lamp to your console), consider painting an accent wall in a bold hue. It will add some life to a small space, making you smile every time you come and go. Here are some great options:
Teal
Fuchsia
Bold stripes . Tape off wide vertical stripes with painters tape for a cheap alternative to wallpaper!
KITCHEN. Dining rooms and kitchens require a little more thought than other rooms of the house. Color theories suggest that certain hues are more appetizing than others, blue being the color least expected to inspire eating. Here are some surefire winners:
Yellow. A cheery and fun color. Best when tempered with white moldings and wood tones.
White. Classic, clean, crisp.
Soft green. Look for subtle tones similar to jade.
A yellow kitchen doesn’t have to be stuck in the 1950’s!
BEDROOM. Tone it down a bit in the bedroom. Restful, calming colors in soft hues are safe bets. My favorites are:
Dove grey
Taupe
Light blue
Ivory
Tip: Keep your home healthy – use low or zero VOC paints. You will notice the difference! Almost all paint lines offer this option.
NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Start 2010 off right with a more functional and beautiful home. From color consultations to remodeling, Niche Interiors will help turn your vision into reality. See our San Francisco Interior Design Services for more information. Call today for a free in-home consultation!
Tags: apartment interior decorators san francisco, apartment interior design san francisco, color consultant san francisco, condo interior design san francisco, february interior design newsletter, interior paint colors, paint colors for every room in the house, san francisco interior design newsletter
Posted in Paint & Wallcoverings, Quarterly Newsletter | 1 Comment »