Shopping for vintage second-hand furniture
Out and about with the tape measure.
One of the things I love doing is sauntering around second hand furniture shops - the vintage ones, with my tape measure and a mission to fulfill. I have to do this usually by myself, as friends and boyfriends tend to make me feel hurried and don't 'get' it. (or have far more important things to do). In order to stop myself buying on impulse, I take photos of the things I like with my iphone - and the act of taking the photo keeps me happy for a while...
On THIS page is a list of shops. It's still in progress, feel free to suggest any by adding a comment - particularly in Stoke Newington, Hackney and the East end generally where I do not venture much.
Meanwhile here are some buying tips:
Tips for buying:
Carry a tape measure everywhere! Measure the desired piece, then measure your room and really visualise how it works in the space and with the other stuff you've got. You might love it so much you just decide to buy it, but if you want to move it to another room for another use in the future, will it let you? How well does the style mix? I am in the middle of a style battle with chinese-modern stuff / dark furniture / white shabby chic painted furniture - and they're all mixed up in all the rooms - urrggh! Anyway, really imagine it in your space 'cos things look a lot bigger in a shop space.
Do your research - find out the history of it, has it got a name, then google it - with image google - to find out who's got it elsewhere. You'll often find EXACTLY the same thing on Ebay - I found 6 other Austrian 19th C jam cupboards £200 cheaper than the one I bought from Chalk Farm Antiques - however, my purchase was nearer, and was perfect to the centimetre to fit in the space I needed.
Remember you can adapt - with new knobs and handles or a new paintwork effect. Soooo much better than buying some laminated ikea crappo thing which you've paid for then falls apart two years later...Also think before you buy something really expensive. Can you get it made up yourself, finding the elements for example on www.salvoweb.co.uk and using a carpenter?
Compile a dream board/book: One of the things I do is cut out pictures of styles or furniture I like, mainly from Living Etc magazine. I now have 3 art books full of pictures. It's a technique that stops me impulse buying, provides me with inspiration, and helps me weigh up and select from my options. You can see an example I did for my imaginary future loft conversion studio, HERE.
Buying electrics - well some vintage light fittings are lovely but don't forget to factor in the electrician who'll have to hang them.
Buying vintage guide: http://www.livingetc.com/buyersguides/Buyers_guide_to_vintage_article_275345.html
BEWARE, Living etc is great for inspiration but they also exaggerate to obtain the effect they need sometimes, which can be misleading. For example they photoshop furniture if it's not quite how they want, they show us shower room designs which are totally impractical. (links)

