Before buying new...

How to source unforgettable preloved pieces

July 16, 2009 - Alicia Beath - Ecoteriors

I have been working with a client for the last few months and it’s been a refreshing experience. She is a young woman living in an Ottawa condo. The building itself has many green features to it and many eco-minded people reside there. I’ve always believed it is important to reuse older items before buying new but this latest project has really been a learning experience. As I am immersed in this project from start to finish, my client and I look at environment, budget, quality and of course aesthetics. Because my client is young she wants to invest her money in pieces that are going to last a lifetime. My challenge was to find the things that fit the bill.

Designing this condo would be easy for me as well as a quick process, but to hunt for the items was a different story. The design changes slightly each time you find a new, unique item (while always sticking with the same concept).

Here are a few key points I picked up on my travels to flea markets, yard sales and antique shops.

Study what it is you are looking for. If you are looking for an antique crystal chandelier, then research it. Knowing the difference between being authentic and looking authentic will save you from over paying. There is nothing wrong with buying reused items that are not an actual antique but make sure the price reflects that.

Always look at quality. The piece should be fairly clean, in good condition and free from major damages. If you do spot something but still want the piece, try to negotiate a better price to compensate.

Wood furniture pieces are a big portion of the antiques industry. When dealing with wood you want to carefully look at the colour. Pay attention to feet, legs, drawer and door fronts. If you notice the wood in a certain area is a different colour or texture than the rest of the piece, this may suggest it has been replaced. Also look for old holes where original handles, knobs and hinges have been replaced. Replaced wood pieces or hardware may not decrease the value of European antiques, but it certainly can with American pieces. Inspect the edges of an old wood piece in question. If the edges are smooth this may suggest a power saw was used instead of a hand saw, which would leave more rugged edges. When it comes to colouring, if the furniture looks too uniform it could be new or has been refinished. It’s always fun to add at least one old wood treasure to your home for character.

Remember that buying reused items for you home can offer many different design looks. It’s out of the mould and nobody will ever have the same look! Think of creative ways to reuse items as opposed to buy new. For example, if a coffee table is what you are looking for try using a decorative clay pot. Paint it the desired colour, turn it upside down and place a piece of round glass on top. Alternatively, try using an old, Chinese rice barrel.

Some really great places I’ve been to along the way (Ottawa and surrounding area):

Gendron Antiques & Reproductions 1145 Carp Rd. Stittsville 613.831.2186
A good mix of styles as well as unstained or stained reproduction pieces.

Architectectural Antiques 356 Richmond Rd. Ottawa 613.722.1510
New and antique lighting.

Yardley’s Antiques 1240 Bank St. Ottawa 613.739.9580
Highend antiques and good finds. Offers 3 levels of lighting, furniture, hardware, jewellery and more.

Found Design 1192 Bank St. Ottawa 613.523.2205
A hub of retro furniture. Real authentic pieces that are otherwise hard to find. They offer 2 levels of sofas, chairs, tables, lamps and accessories. They even have an original egg chair! Scattered throughout are old televisions and telephones from the 50’s and 60’s, really setting the theme!

Merrickville, Smiths Falls, Westport and other rural areas are also great places to make fab finds. The flea markets, yard sales and antique shops are authentic and off the beaten path.

About the Author

Alicia Beath, Owner & Design Consultant of Ecoteriors, is a Certified Interior Decorator graduated from Fanshawe College. She is also an accredited member of the Canadian Decorators’ Association (C.D.E.C.A) and currently sits on the board of directors. She is passionate about her work and enjoys creating beautiful spaces for others.

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