There was a time when finding the perfect vintage chair was an insider’s art – something only for those with a keen eye and the time to scour flea markets and auction rooms. But today there’s a huge online market for vintage furniture and homeware, much of it sold by small independents who have access to a global audience via Instagram and social media. Buying secondhand is better for the planet; it’s easier and less stressful than shopping at Ikea; and it’s a more creative – and often more affordable – way to furnish our homes. We all know about the environmental impact of overproduction in the fashion industry, and the lessons are the same when it comes to furniture and interiors, too.
While previous generations furnished their homes with tables and chairs made from quality wood that will outlive them – Victorian pine, 20s oak, 60s teak – we have become used to MDF chests of drawers that fall apart after a few years. They are so cheap, it’s easier to buy new pieces than repair them, so streets end up littered with broken, badly constructed furniture made from composite materials coated in chemicals.
