Half the magic of what we do happens before we even pick up a paintbrush. Finding quality furniture that’s been unloved, overlooked, or simply outgrown is like a treasure hunt – and we absolutely love it. Every piece we rescue has potential, and part of our passion is seeing beyond the tired exterior to the beautiful furniture waiting underneath.
What We’re Looking For
Our focus is crystal clear: good quality used furniture that deserves a second chance. We’re not interested in flat-pack pieces or furniture that’s genuinely at the end of its life. We want solid construction, interesting character, and bones that are worth saving.
The furniture that gets us most excited is the stuff that others might walk past – pieces that look tired but have fantastic potential, items that are unfashionable right now but have timeless appeal, and furniture with proper craftsmanship that just needs some expert attention.
Where the Magic Happens: Our Sourcing Spots
Facebook Marketplace – Brilliant for finding people who are moving house, downsizing, or just fancying a change. We love the stories behind these pieces – furniture that’s served families well but is ready for a new adventure.
Auctions – Absolute goldmines for quality pieces, especially vintage furniture that might be overlooked by the general public. There’s something thrilling about bidding on a piece that we can already see transformed.
eBay – Great for specific pieces we’re hunting for, or when someone’s having a clear-out and doesn’t realise what they’ve got.
Used Furniture Warehouses – These places often have pieces that are structurally sound but cosmetically tired – perfect for what we do.
Charity Furniture Shops – One person’s donation is our next project. These shops are treasure troves of quality furniture at reasonable prices.
House Clearance Companies – Often the best source for vintage pieces and solid, older furniture that families can’t keep but don’t want to see wasted.
Council Tip Re-use Shops – It’s amazing what people throw away! These places are brilliant for finding furniture that just needs some imagination.
Larger Car Boot Sales – The early bird catches the worm here. We love a good rummage for pieces that others haven’t spotted.
The Commercial Connection
We keep our eyes peeled for businesses that are closing down, relocating, or having complete refits. Coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, and cafés often have brilliant furniture that they’re replacing – sometimes because it needs restoration, sometimes just because they want a different look.
These commercial pieces are often built to last (they’ve had to survive busy environments), and they come with great stories. We love giving restaurant chairs a new lease of life in someone’s dining room, or transforming café tables into stunning home pieces.
Local First, Quality Always
Where possible, we source locally – it’s better for the environment, supports our community, and means we can build relationships with regular suppliers. But we’re not precious about travelling further afield when we spot something special. Quality furniture is worth the journey, and sometimes the best pieces are hiding in unexpected places.
The Vintage Challenge
Vintage furniture, particularly chairs, can be tricky to source these days. Many people see older pieces as “old-fashioned” and don’t recognise their quality and character. It’s heartbreaking how much vintage furniture ends up in landfill simply because it doesn’t suit modern tastes.
This is where auctions and house clearance companies really come into their own. These venues often have the vintage pieces that we specialise in – furniture from the Georgian, Edwardian, and mid-century periods that was built to last and has bags of character.
The irony is that many of these “unfashionable” pieces are exactly what make spaces interesting. A set of vintage dining chairs or a beautiful old sideboard can transform a room in a way that modern furniture simply can’t match.
What Makes a Piece Worth Saving?
Solid Construction – We look for furniture that’s built with proper joints, quality materials, and craftsmanship that’s stood the test of time.
Interesting Details – Carved elements, nice proportions, unusual hardware, or period features that add character.
Good Bones – Even if the finish is tired, we can see when a piece has the right structure and potential.
Repairable Issues – Loose joints, worn finishes, or missing hardware are all fixable. We avoid pieces with fundamental structural problems.
Timeless Appeal – Fashion comes and goes, but good design and quality craftsmanship never go out of style.
The Stories Behind the Pieces
Every piece of furniture we source comes with history. That dining table hosted family meals, that chest of drawers held someone’s treasures, those chairs were part of countless conversations. When we restore these pieces, we’re not just making them look better – we’re preparing them for their next chapter.
We love hearing the stories:
- The Victorian sideboard that’s been in the family for generations
- The 1960s dining set that needs updating for modern life
- The pub chairs from a beloved local that’s had to close down
- The restaurant tables from a place that’s moved to smaller premises
Doing Our Bit for the Planet
Every piece of quality furniture we save from landfill is a small victory for the environment.