Vintage furniture finds its way back into modern day homes

Schenelle Dsouza

Do you think vintage is just another term for something used, a hand-me-down?  Or are you among those who value something antique? While some people may perceive anything vintage as old and used, others look at it as something unique, something of sentimental value, with history attached to it. 

Just as it is with anything vintage, period furniture too, stirs up mixed feelings. While some wonder about the condition and quality, as well as its dated look, others might find that its appeal lies in its period appearance. So, the big question is, is it worth it?

LuxeBook spoke to experts from the design industry, Priyanka Khanna and Rudraksh Charan – Founders and Architects of 42MM Architecture, Sachin Gupta and Neha Gupta – Founders and Interior Designers of Beyond Designs, and Abhishek Kathuria, Founder and Creative Director of Rosabagh, to understand why vintage furniture has found renewed appeal, and not just as an inheritance.  

Why vintage  

In the age of social media, it seldom takes long for anything to become a reigning trend. With so many upcycling stories, vintage furniture was bound to make headway soon. From buying vintage pieces to upcycling old ones, people have taken a conscious step towards sustainability. And furniture is a great place to start one’s sustainability journey.

According to research, roughly 15 billion trees are cut down each year worldwide, of which almost one billion is used to create new furniture. With a daunting figure like that, switching to vintage pieces would seem like the most sustainable choice going forward.  

Vintage furniture is also one of the most environment-friendly options because it reduces wastage. Besides, furniture made about twenty years ago was responsibly produced.  

Better quality  

Vintage furniture is often presumed to be worn-out pieces that nobody wants. However, there is very little truth in this. In fact, vintage furniture is hardly comparable to pieces manufactured today. Putting it in clearer words, Abhishek Kathuria says, “Vintage furniture is synonymous with timelessness. It has an excellent quality of craftsmanship that won’t ever go out of style.” 

And a lot of it is true. Antique pieces unlike today’s mass-produced furniture were made with some of the most exquisite materials including oak, teak and mahogany wood, brass, and natural pigments. And despite the age, these materials get better with age.  

But how do you find out if a piece of furniture is a quality piece? Knowing and trusting the source or company you’re buying from is step one, according to Abhishek Kathuria. “It is important to buy your furniture from a reliable vintage furniture design house since you are aware of the materials used and can trust the quality and craftsmanship.”  

The source you buy from is the main factor, as Sachin Gupta puts it, “Buying your vintage pieces from authentic sources can guarantee the quality and age of the product.”  

The next step for more dedicated buyers is taking a few minutes to examine the structure and condition of the furniture.  A keen eye can always detect surface flaws if looked at closely.

“The hallmark of vintage furniture is its structure: how sturdy it is, its functionality, craftsmanship and most importantly the quality of materials used– wood and otherwise,” says Neha Gupta, “it is important you understand both the surface and the structural flaws of the product.”    

One-of-a-kind  

Among its many blessings, the good thing about vintage furniture is how unique it is. It’s always one of a kind which is perfect for modern-day homeowners. In a generation that is looking to stand out in a crowd, picking anything and everything that is unique is a fitting characteristic. So why would it be any different for homes. Within our living spaces as well, we all want something that is bold, that makes a statement about who we are and what we like, and antique furniture does just that.

Because of how unique each piece of furniture is, there is very little chance of another piece being made. People can use it as they like, as an expression of their own personality. “Vintage pieces allow homeowners to express their one-of-a-kind style and create highly individualistic spaces,” says Sachin Gupta.  

For all spaces 

Vintage furniture has paved its way back quite quickly into modern spaces and not just residential ones. Each piece being exclusively versatile has an aura that can lift any space, be it a restaurant, hotel or even an office space. Priyanka Khanna talks to us about vintage furniture having a certain character and sophistication that can enhance whatever space it is in. “Vintage furniture creates an ambience of its own with an intention to transport you to a different era, with a different aesthetic, therefore it isn’t restricted to residential spaces.” 

While each person has her/his own preference when it comes to designing spaces, however, the timelessness of vintage pieces should be portrayed well, so placing them as showstoppers in your living spaces is the ideal go-to according to Abhishek Kathuria.

However, Neha Gupta suggests sticking to a theme when it comes to vintage elements around your home. “Try to create a theme with your furniture. If you want a vintage theme, then combining pieces with other vintage-inspired elements will create a harmonious environment. Combining vintage with contemporary elements can also create a beautifully balanced aesthetic.”  

Buying vintage furniture 

Artisera  

Founded by Varun Backliwal and Lisa Jain, Artisera is an online platform that specialises in some of the most exquisite vintage collections, with everything from fine art to collectables as well as home décor and furniture. Keeping luxury and quality as their top priority, the company specialises in classic artistry and antique craftsmanship without compromising on quality and authenticity.  

Country Collection, New Delhi  

A premium vintage retail store in New Delhi, Country Collection is like most vintage sellers in India, specialising in handcrafted creations from the yesteryears. However, one of its unique offerings include collections from outside India, from countries like Portugal, Nepal and Tibet.  

Maram, Bengaluru 

One of Bengaluru’s oldest establishments, Maram specialises in antique furniture. At the same time, they also work with upcycling and restoring pieces that have lost their charm. Sticking to a rustic theme, Maram uses modern handcrafting techniques to make your vintage furniture look tastefully antique.  

Phillips Antiques, Mumbai  

A 160-year-old business, Phillips Antiques has been a part of Mumbai’s heritage since the early 1920s, sitting in the very same spot: Waterloo Mansions in Colaba.  Run by Farooq Issa and his sister Muneera Daya, Phillips Antiques is known and trusted for its authenticity, each and every piece being procured from the most viable sellers and collectors.   

The Antique Story

As its name suggests, The Antique Story focuses on telling a story through its handpicked collections. From rare folk art to exquisitely carved wooden panels, as well as some of the most beautifully carved antique wooden furniture. Solid wooden furniture from varied art styles including gothic and baroque, The Antique Story has it all. 

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