To Keep Or Not To Keep? That is the question…

Have you ever had a family heirloom that you weren't sure what to do with? Or grabbed a gorgeous piece on the side of the road that needed an update? Sometimes it is hard to decide whether pieces are worth keeping or if it's time to move on. When they are a family piece that has been passed down, not only do they mean a lot to receive but it's often hard to dive in to making a change. One thing is for sure, style is ever-evolving. Even throughout our own lifetime, our personal style, whether clothes or home sense, are often changing. Instead of giving up on these special, sentimental pieces, let's see if we can give them a second (or third) chance at life. 

This couch had been in our client's family for many years and they really wanted to find a way to keep using it. To honor the original shape and design of this piece, we were careful with our material selection and went with a textured, antiqued velvet. Even as the client's style evolved, reupholstering this couch allowed the them to continue enjoying it in their home.

Now SOMETIMES refurbishing family heirlooms can be (ahem) controversial. On Episode 2 of "Fix My Frankenhouse", we were tasked with updating the family's Hope Chest. You can see the updated Hope Chest in the first picture above. Our clients, Siobhan and Tim, wanted a totally new, modern look for this piece. If we didn't come through, this antique was going in the trash! We updated the legs, pulls and color of the Hope Chest which breathed new life into the piece. Siobhan shared, "it just gained 100 more years of life. My grandparents would be thrilled we not only kept it but it has been restored and we love it.” Even though this was a big change for this piece, our client was so happy and we were able to deliver exactly what they were looking for! You can also peak into Episode 5 to find out how we refurbished two stunning chairs for Sue and Rich. In the second picture above, you can catch a glance into how the chairs looked before they were refurbished. The bones were there with the beautiful wooden structure but we knew that Sue wanted COLOR! To keep these pieces in the family, we reupholstered both chairs and just loved the result. 

Have you ever thought about how to modernize your dining room table? Say one that you've had for a bunch of years and possibly originally purchased when you first got married?? This beautiful, huge table was the perfect piece for hosting. When we originally started work in this room, our client wasn't sure if they wanted to keep it. The table was very dark and in order to bring it into a more modern style, we would need to sand the entire piece (look at all of those grooves!). As you can see, this was the right choice! This brought out the beautiful grain and gave it a new personality in the updated dining room space. 

So, when do you know if it’s a good time to repurpose your furniture?

 An important first step is considering if it is an antique or something you really don’t care about. If its an antique, think about the value it has to you (monetary or personal) and how you could make changes to bring it into your current style. Perhaps this could include updating the hardware to give it a fresh, appealing look, maybe sanding it down and restaining to a more modern stain. Antiques tend to be dark or cherry and if this is the case, consider your stain options or sanding and using a clear poly coat to make it look modern. Also, there is always the option of changing the paint! Paint is flexible and interchangeable but can make a big impact on a piece of furniture you are hoping to keep. Let us know if you have any pieces you have repurposed or reupholstered to suit your current design style. You can always tag us on social or comment below!