Where do all you stylish people buy your vintage furniture?

[JubileeStreet]

The title of the thread says it all really! I love vintage style and furniture, but until now have not had the time/money to buy much. Seem to have reached my forties without having much nice furniture to my name, with far too much IKEA instead. I would really love to start to get some nice pieces of furniture together now, but have no real idea where to start. I'm based in Yorkshire but soon to relocate to the East Midlands if that helps. Would be grateful for all you stylish Mums out there to share any shopping tips ??

[Devora]

Well, when I lived in Yorkshire - 30 years ago now - there was a fabulous place in Malton where I used to buy up lots of art deco stuff that was not yet fashionable in those parts. Don't suppose it's still there...

Now, it's ebay, Preloved or car boot sales - and lots of upcycling. In my fantasy life, it's Graham and Green, Heals and Rockett St George.

[ThePerfect1IThinkNot]

There are some bargains to be had at auctions, real ones not just eBay.

[RaphaellaTheSpanishWaterDog]

I would guesstimate that around 70% of our household furniture/decorative household items were acquired on ebay over the past twelve years. We also buy at real life auctions, flea markets, antique fairs etc.

We collect Arts & Crafts/Nouveau which is becoming thinner on the ground, but we still have fun searching for pieces.....thrill of the chase and all that!

There are online sites (the sale room etc) with nationwide auctions and others with calendars of fairs, markets etc.....

[Belindabelle]

Ebay
Gumtree
Charity Shops
Sale Rooms
Antique Centres

It takes a while to build a collection, especially if you are on a budget. We moved into our 1850's house over 15 years ago with a mixture of pine and Ikea furniture which just looked all wrong. We have over the years picked up some nice bits of furniture but I am still always looking.

[reallybadidea]

If you fancy a road trip, my friend who lives in Sweden has furnished her house with gorgeous antiques that she picks up for a song at her local auction. She has some beautiful stuff - looks a bit like Ikea style things but is the real deal rather than laminated chipboard!

[JubileeStreet]

Thanks all. Some good tips there. Will give EBay a look certainly. Have been house hunting lately and have seen some gorgeous furniture and accessories in other people's houses. I really feel the need now to get myself some nice things.

Are there any high street shops you would recommend too for look-a-like vintage stuff that isn't too pricey?

[JubileeStreet]

What was the place in Malton called Devora? I am not far away from there?

[Devora]

I'm so sorry I can't remember, Jubilee. It was a LONG time ago. I'm even wondering now, if it was one vast shop, or a big covered market.

[ouryve]

We've found gumtree to be much better than ebay for second hand stuff. Ebay tends to be saturated with shabby shite along with a ridiculous markup, even if it's still at the shabby stage or if it's so ugly that no amount of Annie Sloan paint is going to help.

The best thing we got is an old Simply Dutch table and chairs set in dark oak. Quite battered, but stunning. They don't do anything the same style, any more, but they do have some antique stuff in amongst the current boxy blond oak. They're based in Leyburn. I think they have auction rooms, too.

[DaphneMoonCrane]

I'm into midcentury modern stuff and have bought loads on eBay - Ercol armchair (which I reupholstered in 1950s-style Sanderson fabric), Ercol dining chairs, a 1950s desk (very Mad Men looking) and a G-plan coffee table.

We live in southeast London and have bought quite a few things in East Dulwich - they have some good little shops/warehouses. We got a 1960s sideboard and 1950s dining table there, plus a squashy 1960s leather sofa that's soooooo comfy.

I love vintage furniture

[lightgreenglass]

The shops in ED nowadays are overpriced in terms of the furniture and you'll get a better deal on eBay etc. I used browse the warehouse when it was cheaper. I agree with the shabby shite stuff on eBay - type in vintage and a whole load of crap comes up.

What type of furniture are you looking for?

[Lunaballoon]

Which warehouse in ED are you talking about DaphneMoon and lightgreen? The only vintage furniture shop I can think of there is Mr Robinson.

[PigletJohn]

Unless you are noove, like Mr Heseltine, you should not need to buy your furniture.

[Lunaballoon]

Mrs Robinson!

[DaphneMoonCrane]

Yes, I got the sofa in Mrs Robinson, about six years ago. It was about £350. It's brilliant though DS1 peed on it once when he fell asleep without a nappy on

The sideboard came from this little warehouse on one of the side streets off Lordship Lane - the Goose Green end. The 50s dining table came from a junk shop on Dog Kennel Hill - no idea if it's still there. We also got a beautiful little Edwardian (I think) wardrobe in there. Again, six or seven years ago now before ED got quite so poncey

[ArtyBat]

Devora - could it have been the Shambles? It's a little old street of small shops near the market, all selling lovely old antique furniture, or new craftsmade furniture.

[JubileeStreet]

Thanks all that is great. I'm not sure what I am looking for to be honest! Just some interesting things! I will certainly have a scout about now.

[TheFnozwhowasmirage]

What I haven't inherited I buy at real life auctions. This week I bought an art Deco sofa and 2 arm chairs for the princely sum if £10. In December I bought another Art Deco Sofa for £30. At this weeks' auction,Edwardian wardrobes weren't even fetching £5, and lots if stuff didn't sell at all. If I had a big warehouse I'd be buying this stuff up now before it becomes fashionable again.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

We picked up several things from skips when old stuff was just old stuff rather than vintage or shabby chic,because we liked it and we were skint.
Other stuff is charity shops,jumbles,and just what we've somehow acquired over the years.

[Apatite1]

Which auctions are worth going to in london?

[JubileeStreet]

I'm truly inspired by all this. Certainly off to an auction sometime soon. I can't buy a house at the moment (too expensive), but at least I can buy some nice furniture!

[vanyeah21]

Try 15 Collingwood, Collingwood Road in Northampton. Has some really lovely vintage/retro furniture. Also beautiful artwork and jewellery.

[Yarp]

peppermillantiques.com

ebay

[nevertoomuch]

hemswell antiques in lincolnshire is fab to visit, it is huge (largest in europe), on site of former RAF base, with lots of different sellers in one place. I think they might also have car boots on the site, though not been for few years now. not so much bargains as auctions/gumtree etc but great place for a mooch around if you fancy a trip out:)

[Tiredemma]

If you are going to East Midlands- this place is near Lichfield (on A38)

www.blackbrook-interiors.co.uk/