My style is more eclectic than most, so it’s no surprise that I wanted a classic tufted velvet sofa. I knew I wanted a camelback sofa, so I searched high and low, then found an old inverted camelback (even better!) for only $250! As you can see in the before picture, it needed some love, so I found upholstery services in the area that would allow me to customize it to my desire. Better yet, a dear friend got me a sweet discount on some high durability faux velvet. I ordered the fabric and some new spindle legs, and watched my dream come to life. This show stopper added so much character to my home.
Is it unique?
If it’s just a random, on-trend item, consider finding something more special that will stand the test of time—think classic. Trends come and go and come again, so if you like the idea of what you’re considering purchasing, maybe look for a vintage or antique one instead. The hunt is one of my favorite parts of finding special décor. Take time to drop into a few estate sales or a trip to a flea market; you never know what you may find! Even Etsy or Ebay will do, just look for something that strikes you—the item should evoke emotion.
Does it have a story?
Maybe it’s an heirloom or something you bought at a garage sale, but you got to hear about its life before you owned it and the story intrigued you. If so, it will likely be a great conversational item that company will enjoy learning about, too.
I have wanted one of these tables for several years now, but was certainly not willing to pay the hefty price. However, I stopped at an estate sale on my way out of town (like I had room to be hauling extra stuff around) a few weekends ago, and scored HUGE. Do you hear me, huge?! These bad boys are way out of my price range, but this particular day, I found one originally marked $300, it had been slashed to $150, but everything was an additional 50% off so I grabbed it and didn’t think twice about spending a mere $75 bucks when the one you see above would run you $2,800 on 1st Dibs. The lady that had owned it was a world traveler and brought it home from Pakistan. I loved the story behind this table, and, not to mention, it is unique, has character, and brings me joy!
Is it functional?
Always consider the functionality of the item. Will it serve a purpose or will is simply be beautiful and fill an empty space? Will it have an immediate home when you take it into your house? Will you actually use and enjoy it? These are few things to consider when debating adding to the place you love and spend your quality time.
And lastly, upcycling can be as simple as using an item differently than its original intended use, like the old Mason jar as a vase above. Not to mention, flowers always add a special touch to any room.