Old Furniture, Family, and Finding your Own
Style 7/10

From LoveToKnow Interior Design

Whenever I hear the phrase "old furniture," I remember going to an antique sale with my mother when I was in high school. I've always loved traditional pieces and did even then. This show was filled with marvelous carved tables and chests. As I exclaimed for probably the 20th time over some interesting table, my mother asked, "What's the big deal; it's just old furniture." Being sixteen and easily wounded, I just figured she was bored with the show and trying to hurry me along.

Old Furniture

Years later, as I was selling my mother's mid-century modern furniture, with which I grew up, I was confused by the comments from the several furnture dealers that came to look at her like-new naugahyde sectional sofa and kidney-shaped coffee table. It's all I could do not to ask them, "What's the big deal; it's just old furniture." It was then that I understood.

Building on Family Pieces

My point is that everyone has his or her own style. My favorite family piece, the 100-year old desk pictured at right, I found in my grandparents' basement. It was probably just "old furniture" to them. If fact, my grandfather used it to store fishing tackle.

If you are lucky enough to inherit or be given family furniture pieces, it takes a little effort to not have your living room look like your grandmother's parlor. Let me offer a few tips:

Only Keep What You Love - This may sound obvious, but often there are emotions, good and bad, that are tied to family furniture. Don't keep a table just because it was your mother's favorite; you're the one who has to look at it every day.
Reupholster When Needed - That vintage sofa or chair can take on a whole new life with updated fabric. Keep in mind that this only makes sense for pieces with unique lines and/or wooden frames as upholstering a piece can run as much as a new sofa or chair.
Add Your Own Accessories - Build on your vintage pieces with rugs, artwork, pillows, and accessories that reflect your taste and interests.

Adding family pieces to your decorating scheme is a great way to add history and continuity to your design style. Choose your pieces carefully and don't let them control you. You'll have furniture to treasure for a lifetime.