Designers hunt through shops in search of treasure
Even interior designers look to used furniture stores to find that "just right" piece.
Mike Moore, owner of MJM Design Group in Elk Grove Village, discovered a lime green Bombay chest at an auction house about 10 years ago while on the hunt for a special piece for a client. He ended up painting it and installing it as a vanity in the master bath of his own home.
"I transformed this eyesore into a one-of-a-kind, eye-catching bath vanity with a bit of paint, a hand-picked stone top and a custom sink bowl and hardware," Moore said.
The hand-painted faux designs on the piece were customized with cream tulips to blend with the flooring and shower tile as well as the bath linens. The arched stone top points back to old European styles. In addition, both the shape of the chest and the details added to it, Moore said, are in a French style, making the final product seem a rare treasure instead of a lucky find with hidden potential.
The ability to see what could be, and thinking how you can transform them, is the key to shopping for used furniture, he added.
Moore says he shops secondhand stores frequently to find pieces he often repurposes into a different use. He has transformed items such as armoires into functional bars and once turned a gaming table with a granite inset into a sofa table.
Aaron Muller of Barrington Resale noted that interior designers visit his store all the time to find that special piece. The store's Web site, which includes photos of much of its inventory, plays a major role for people who are searching for something unique. He prides himself on customer service, encouraging people to call or e-mail questions about items in which they are interested.
"We try to make sure if you call us, even if it's not during store hours, you will get an answer from a live human being," Muller said.
Although proponents of used furniture wax eloquent about the quality they have found, Moore says buyers must beware of their purchases.
"More than ever you have to make sure that what you're buying is quality because now there are so many people out there racking up the price," Moore said. "There are a lot of imports from China and Vietnam where the quality is just not good."
No matter if the design is contemporary or traditional, buyers should look for sturdy pieces with classic lines as these items will last a long time. Consult store Web sites for research and to see inventory that may not be on floor display due to space limitations.
- Arlene Miles