Top 5 Places to Shop for Vintage Furniture
Hey there and welcome to the T A L E S O F T E X T U R E Blog….. This week in our cozy little corner of the internet we are discussing all things Vintage. Focusing on vintage furniture and the best places to find these wondrous gems!
Image by Elena Erykalina via Pinterest
So what classifies as Vintage Furniture?
Vintage furniture is characterized by age and is recognized by the design style and design features, colours, and materials of a particular era. When we use the word ‘vintage’ we are loosely referring to furniture that was made and produced in the last 40-50 years. Commonly and passionately regarded to be of high-quality craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and true authenticity. Anything a little younger than this, around 20-30 years old is often referred to as ‘Retro’. And ‘Antique’ furniture is ordinarily around the 100-year-old mark.
Implementing vintage furniture in our homes is really about embracing individuality, as well as celebrating the piece’s quirks and imperfections that only add to the patina and overall finish within our homes. Something to be cherished and treasured. In an age that offers sooooo many options for mass-produced pieces and fast-fashion trends. By injecting some vintage pieces into your home, and balancing them with modern and contemporary pieces, (we’ll come to that a little later!) you are creating a space that feels unique to you and your family. As well as being respectful of the environment and capturing the spirit of years gone by, who doesn’t love a little nostalgia?!
‘Loft Retro Pendant Lamp’ available at https://chandelierslife.com/products/loft-retro-pendant-lamp?variant=43473441226923 / Image of Vintage Green Writing Desk via The Wonder Forest Blog / ‘Antique Brass Goose Neck Desk Lamp’ available at https://www.modishstore.com/products/antique-brass-goose-neck-table-lamp-with-enamel-shade-by-kalalou?epik=dj0yJnU9SEhBTVAzekw5Z3RkeXRJSVFEWmMzM3Q0dXc1ZzdjWHomcD0wJm49NDZRejVXbE9BVjhJX2tzWGNRdTJhUSZ0PUFBQUFBR2JacDBv&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social
Vintage Furniture….. The Sustainable Option
Here at the T A L E S O F T E X T U R E Studio, we are all on board with Sustainable Interior Design as well as sustainable materials, furniture, and decor within our homes. Vintage furniture is one of the easiest ways to inject individual style as well as to consider the planet we call home. You are essentially repurposing a piece of well-built furniture, giving it a new life and sense of purpose. Thus reducing your carbon footprint, and waste to landfill….. What’s not to love about that?!
Vintage furniture is also widely considered timeless. Whilst appreciating its history and craftsmanship, when implemented within our homes in a modern way, we can create a space that not only feels well-curated and nostalgic but also modern and unique.
How to Implement and Balance Vintage Furniture in a Modern Home?
So how do we inject some vintage vibes without it feeling ‘themed’ or overpowering and ultimately looking like a museum or jumble sale?!
The answer is to think eclectically, rather than collectively! By implementing pieces from various eras and times in history, you are creating a whole new story of your own. Vintage furniture is all about falling in love with a piece and giving it a good home. When blended with modern pieces and trends they create a home that feels ‘lived-in’ and timeless. Almost as if it has evolved alongside you and your family.
By finding a common thread in your chosen colour scheme or materials you create a home that feels blended, balanced, and complimentary. Try implementing a neutral colour palette throughout of soft greys, warm whites, and earthy taupes and browns for unity, and to really blend all the pieces together. Layer in fabrics such as wood, linen, and natural cotton, as well as lighting in the form of table lamps, accent lighting, and feature lighting of varying design styles, this will elevate the space and give it that ‘Lived-in’ and relaxed feel.
Image of hessian fabric courtesy of Skylar Kang / Vintage bedside table image via Quiet Minimal Blog / Image of wood texture courtesy of FWStudio / Vintage dresser image courtesy of Carol Blackstone via Pinterest / Brown glass pendant product available from https://www.hozolighting.com/
Alternatively, by mixing in various wood colours and textures, and using different coloured fabrics and patterns, such as ticking stripes, ikat, or vintage florals you will create a more eclectic space that feels collected and visually stimulating. Again create continuity by injecting accent colours throughout your home and have fun with textures and patterns. The choice is really up to you how wild you go!
Image via Katrina Lee Designs
If only implementing pieces from the same era and design style you run the risk of creating a ‘themed’ room. One which can look stuck in a particular design style, in the past and very one-dimensional. Therefore dating the entire space.
So whether you have hand-me-down family heirlooms or found that hidden gem buried in the back of a second-hand store, cherish these, bring them back to life, and inject some textural and cultural interest into your home!
So now we understand how to approach implementing vintage pieces, let’s delve into where to shop for vintage furniture…..
Top 5 Places to Find Vintage Furniture and Where to Shop
1: Flea markets, Garage Sales, Car Boots, and Second-Hand Stores/Charity Shops:
If you’re a bit of a bargain hunter like I am you will be aware of the treasures that can be found in second-hand shops, charity shops, or even bric-a-brac stalls. So next time you’re dropping off that bag of unwanted clothes at the charity shop, take a little look around as you never know what you might find!
Flea markets are also a great opportunity to find some quality, larger pieces of vintage furniture and these are held regularly across the country. Try and arrive nice and early to scoop up the best pieces. Have fun haggling and chatting with the stall holders before it gets too busy.
Some of the best flea markets throughout the UK include:
- London Portobello Road Market: Quite possibly the most famous flea market in the UK. The shops in Portobello Road are open Monday to Saturday and sell a wide selection of items including vintage clothing, antiques, and home furnishings. The famous market stalls pop up along the street on Saturdays. And the hustle and bustle of tourists and locals alike is electric and well worth a visit! Address: 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL. https://visitportobello.com/
- Sheffield The Kelham Flea: Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of ‘pre-loved treasures and bespoke goods’ including reclaimed furniture, artwork, plants, and vintage homewares. Address: Riverside Works, Neepsend, Sheffield, S3 8AU. welcometosheffield.co.uk/content/businesses-external/the-kelham-flea
- Malvern Flea and Collectors Fare: One of the largest flea markets in central UK, here you will find over 250 stall holders both indoors and out (weather permitting.) A haven for salvage, arts and crafts, vintage furniture, and upcycling projects galore! Open on selected dates throughout the year. Address: Three Counties Showground Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW. threecounties.co.uk/whats-on/malvern-flea-and-collectors-fare-3
- Somerset The Giant Shepton Flea Market: Running for 23 years The Giant Shepton Flea is a treasure trove of vintage furniture, interior design treasures, antiques, and vintage toys. Address: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN. https://www.sheptonflea.com/
Images via Ceri Williams @ https://talesoftexture.com/
2: Hunt Vintage:
Hunt Vintage is an online marketplace for all things vintage furniture. With a wide collection of items including furniture, lighting, decor, and art. They aim to provide an online platform that makes ‘finding vintage and antique pieces easier, faster to learn about, and effortless to buy.’ With thousands of pieces to choose from you will struggle to not find something that fits. All sellers are vetted and all pieces are unique, delivered right to your door!
All products available at https://huntvintage.co/
3: Mustard Vintage:
A family-run business with over 15 years of experience in buying, restoring, and supplying vintage furniture. Mustard Vintage say their aim is simple ‘to help you create beautiful interiors that are as unique and as individual as you are.’
They have a stunning selection of every piece of vintage furniture you could think of. Including vintage sideboards, coffee tables, and dining tables and chairs. They also offer a wide selection of vintage homewares including ceramics, wall art, and brass items.
https://www.mustardvintage.com/
All products available at https://www.mustardvintage.com/
4: Home Barn:
Home Barn is packed full of exciting vintage finds and reclaimed furniture. From vintage coffee tables, antique cabinets and cupboards, mirrors, vintage drawers, and a truly beautiful selection of homewares and decor items. If your vibe is relaxed, rustic, and reclaimed with an emphasis on worn patinas, soft neutrals, and natural materials you will LOVE the selection of products Home Barn has to offer.
A selection of our fav products all available @ https://homebarnshop.co.uk/
5: Vintage Emporiums:
If you’re someone who buys with their eyes as well as their hands, and you enjoy the experience of seeing a physical piece before purchasing then Vintage Emporiums are a great place to start. Often housed in large, warehouse-style settings. Emporiums offer a huge range of vintage furniture, toys, clothing, jewellery, and homewares, so there truly is something for everyone. Getting lost for a few hours amongst all of the vintage finds and treasures is part of the experience. You can often find pieces that you didn’t even realize you were looking for!
You will find emporiums all over the UK, simply search in your local area. Always leave plenty of time to explore these places. They often have a little tea room or cafe to enjoy, so you can really make a day of it! Some of our favs include:
- The Malt House Emporium, Tewesbury (https://www.malthouseemporium.com/)
- The Cotswold Emporium, Oxford (https://www.thecotswoldemporium.co.uk/)
- The Vintage Emporium, Wirral (https://vintage-emporiumwirral.com/)
- Foregate Street Vintage Emporium, Stafford (https://staffordvintageemporium.co.uk/)
To Wrap Up…..
By adding vintage furniture and homewares to your home you really are creating a unique and individual space that reflects your style and tastes. When blended with modern pieces your home tells a story and offers comfort alongside textural and visual interest. Enjoy researching and buying these pieces, take your time to find what feels right, and a piece that you truly fall in love with will be a treasured possession for generations to come. Our homes are an extension of us and our families, and should offer a unique story and feel, if you need some extra help with where to start drop me a message or email and we can discuss your project needs, otherwise happy hunting!
Ceri x
