By Betsy Waltrip
Some furniture gets old. Other furniture earns bragging rights.
You know the pieces I’m talking about, the solid wood dresser that has survived three generations, the dining table that has hosted decades of holidays, or Grandma’s china cabinet that is still standing strong while newer furniture has already called it quits.
There’s a reason.
Older furniture was often built to last. Solid wood, dovetail drawers, sturdy joints, substantial hardware, and craftsmanship you can actually feel. Pick up an old drawer and then pick up one from some newer pieces. Enough said.
But quality doesn’t mean it has to look like it’s still living in 1954.
Think that old dresser can’t be fabulous again?
Hold my paintbrush.
A beautiful old dresser can absolutely rock a bold new color and fabulous hardware. A traditional china cabinet can lose the china and become a coffee bar, bookcase, cocktail station, or showpiece for your favorite treasures. An old desk can become a vanity, and that little side table nobody knew what to do with? Give it some personality and suddenly everyone wants it.
And please mix old with new! A vintage table with modern chairs, an antique dresser beneath contemporary artwork, or a beautifully refinished cabinet in a bright, fresh room can make a home feel collected, interesting, and completely your own. Those unexpected combinations are often what give a room warmth, personality, and a story you simply can’t buy straight off a showroom floor.
Before painting or permanently changing an older piece, though, make sure it isn’t something rare or valuable in its original condition. Sometimes those scratches and that gorgeous patina are part of the charm.
The best thing about old furniture? It has already proven itself. Does it need to act or show its age?
Absolutely not.
Keep the quality. Keep the character. Add some color, creativity, and attitude.
Good bones deserve a fabulous new outfit.
Le Renard Lux is a boutique refinishing company in Fernandina Beach owned by Jon and Maria Cummins. They hand select vintage pieces to restore for new life.
