Know Your Space
If you walk in without a vision, you might find vintage furniture stores daunting. Having measurements of the space you want to fill or an inspiration board with some examples of the style you’re going for will be helpful, says Adam Hoover, owner of Main Street Modern in Canton. “Matching a midcentury piece to a modern style can be done, but you have to know what you’re looking for.”
Go Slow
Don’t plan on finding an entire house-worth of furniture on your first try. Hoover recommends buying one or two big pieces first, then slowly building around them. “I have people come in here before they even have the keys to their house,” he says. “It’s always better to go slow and let the pieces find their spot rather than shoving a bunch in at once.”
Research The Value
Like everything in life, the internet isn’t always right. Just because a piece is listed at $10,000 online doesn’t mean it will actually sell for that much. Hoover recommends searching for a piece on eBay and looking at what others actually sold for, not just the listing price. “There’s a million places to go online to buy and sell vintage,” he says. “But seeing what normal people [are] paying on eBay is the fast, reliable way to go.”
Give It A Once-Over
You might get lucky and spot a rare piece at a yard sale, but if you don’t make sure it’s in good condition you might end up putting more money into it than if you’d bought it full-price. “I tell people to look for water damage and any bubbling — that is the stuff that’s hard to fix,” Hoover says. “And give it a good shake. If it’s wobbly, there’s probably a joint or something out of place that could get pricey.”
Find Your Mark
Most vintage pieces will have a maker’s mark to help you find out who designed it and when it was made. On dressers and items with drawers, check the top left drawer. For couches and chairs, the mark is usually under the cushion. And if you can’t find it there, look on the bottom of the piece. “The maker’s mark adds context and value,” Hoover says. “Marks that are hot right now are people like Herman Miller, Knoll, Paul McCobb, Adrian Pearsall — those are all great names.”
