Copyright © 2021 – 2024 Village Vintage. All Rights Reserved.
Web Design by Chaos.
Cleaning antique furniture is a steadfast way to keep your décor looking spic and span, what’s more, you’ll actually be assisting in its preservation! As experts in vintage and antique furniture, our Essex antique dealers are well-versed when it comes to the upkeep of your products. This week, we take a closer look at the benefits of using the correct cleaning techniques and some preservation tips for different materials.
Amongst the hustle and bustle of life, often, the last thing we want to be doing is making time for the cleaning. However, when it comes to your antique items, taking just a few moments to clean and care for them can significantly benefit their appearance and longevity. Our advice would be not to wait for them to get covered in dust, but to be proactive in your approach and schedule ten minutes out of your week to give them the care they deserve. Remember, antiques are an investment, so it will always fare you well to keep them in the best condition possible.
Some of the key advantages of efficient cleaning include:
Cleaning antique furniture regularly helps in preserving the material of the furniture. Whether it's wood or fabric, dust and dirt can accumulate and lead to deterioration over time. Did you know that dust particles can actually act like sandpaper, causing scratches on wooden surfaces over time? By keeping your antique furniture clean, you help to prolong its lifespan by removing potentially harmful debris, treating the surface with the appropriate products and preventing wear and tear.
Proper cleaning can prevent damage from pests, such as termites or woodworm, which are attracted to dirty and neglected furniture. Alongside cleaning, don’t forget to take a quick look for signs of damage caused by critters every couple of months.
Cleaning restores the original lustre and beauty of antique furniture. Removing grime, stains, and build-up can bring out the wood’s natural grain, patina, and craftsmanship details that can easily be hidden. Clean furniture also contributes to a healthier and fresher living environment. Not only does this look tidier, but it eliminates dust and allergens that could affect the indoor air quality.
Antique furniture often holds its significant monetary and sentimental value. Well-maintained pieces are more likely to retain or even increase their value over time. Collectors and buyers are more interested in pieces that have been properly cared for, so if you’re thinking of selling-on one day, a quick clean on a frequent basis will benefit you further down the line.
When it comes to cleaning antique furniture, some items will need specialist attention. Here are our tips for some of the most common vintage materials.
Cleaning antique wood requires careful handling, so you can begin by gently dusting the surface with a soft cloth or using the vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove loose dirt and dust. A polished finish can also be achieved by using the cloth to buff the wooden surface – if polish solution is being used, be sure to test it on a small inconspicuous area of the wood to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish. Leave to air dry after cleaning. Our advice would be to avoid using water and soap when cleaning antique wood pieces. For details and crevices, use cotton swabs to remove dust and dirt. Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or excessive moisture, as these can damage the wood’s finish and structure.
Always handle antique wood with care and avoid placing it in direct sunlight or in areas with high humidity.
If your antique silverware is tarnished, there are a few ways you can make them sparkle again!
With glassware, such as wine glasses, gently hand wash in warm soapy water and dry with kitchen towel. Don’t put them in the dishwasher, as this exposes them to extreme temperatures which could result in breakage.
To clean mirrors and brighten cloudiness, simply apply a little distilled white vinegar or alcohol on a cotton pad or microfibre cloth and gently wipe over. Don’t spray anything directly on the mirror as this can create tarnish marks. Leave to airdry.
Cleaning antique furniture can also include fabric items. Vintage upholstered surfaces should be vacuumed gently using the brush attachment to collect any dust and dirt. For stain removal, gently use a mild cleaning product and tepid water on a soft fabric, foam, or spongy material. Apply pressure in circular motions to lift dirt without damaging fabric fibres.
A mild detergent mixed with warm water is often the best choice for delicate antique upholstery. However, it’s best to test the solution on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it won’t damage the fabric. Make sure you wipe again thoroughly using a clean cloth dipped in water so that no residue remains behind. Let the fabric air dry and avoid heated environments.
We hope these tips on cleaning antique furniture come in handy! Here at Village Vintage, we love what we do and are passionate about delivering the best results for our valued customers. If you’re looking for unique vintage pieces and antique furniture, we’d love to help! Simply get in touch with us by filling out our contact form and one of our friendly team will get back to you.
When it comes to sustainability, choosing vintage and antique furniture over newer pieces is a much greener alternative. At Village Vintage, we’re passionate about the positive impact our industry has on the world around us and with World Environment Day this week, we thought we’d take the opportunity to discuss just how antique and vintage pieces encourage us to be eco-friendly, whilst offering a few tips on what you can do to give your furniture a new lease of life at home!
When we think of sustainability, antique furniture isn’t necessarily what instantly comes to mind. Antique and vintage items usually come with the reputation of being luxury items – this is true, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. Not only do look beautiful, but they’re much better for the environment. Whether you’re looking to decorate your home, your business, hotel or anything else in between, antique pieces are built for longevity and significantly impact waste reduction, amongst other benefits.
The craftmanship behind antique furniture is second to none. These items are built to last, providing quality and durability for the owner. Unlike many mass-produced modern pieces, vintage products were built with longevity in mind, using high-quality materials and techniques. Investing in such well-made furniture reduces the need for frequent replacements, which is common with lower-quality modern alternatives. It also ensures that fewer resources are consumed over time, promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. Long-term, it’ll likely be more cost-effective too.
Modern furniture manufacturing often leads to a considerable amount of waste, from the cutting of materials to the disposal of unsold products. By opting for vintage and antique pieces, we extend the life cycle of existing furniture, preventing them from ending up in landfills. This reuse of furniture minimises the need for new resources and overall waste.
Antique furniture pieces inspire creativity and innovation when it comes to home decor. Upcycling involves repurposing or reviving a piece of furniture to create a product of higher quality and sometimes, higher value than the original. Furniture upcycling and giving pieces a second life is a great way to add character to personal spaces while encouraging eco-friendly principles.
On this note, furniture restoration is something that we are passionate about here at Village Vintage. Restoring antique furniture is a wonderful way to prolong the life of furniture, as well as refreshing the item. We professionally restore pieces that we purchase, where needed with great care and accuracy.
The production of new furniture demands substantial natural resources, including wood, metal, and various synthetics. This consumption contributes to deforestation, mining, and other practices deemed environmentally harmful. Vintage and antique furniture, on the other hand, have already been produced decades or even centuries ago. By circulating these items, we decrease the demand for new raw materials, conserving natural resources and reducing the strain on our environment.
Manufacturing new furniture involves a series of energy-intensive processes, from harvesting raw materials to production and transportation. This entire chain contributes to a significant carbon footprint. The carbon footprint associated with antique furniture, however, is substantially lower as they do not require new manufacturing processes. Furthermore, we offer in-person collection of items purchased at our Essex based storage unit.
Purchasing vintage and antique furniture will always involve buying from local sellers, specialist antique shops, family run companies or auctions. This practice supports local businesses and artisans who specialise in restoring and selling these quality pieces. By choosing to buy locally, you contribute to the local economy and encourage sustainable practices within our communities.
This would certainly be the case at Village Vintage – we are a father and son family business who are passionate about our vintage collections and our bespoke customer service.
Each piece of vintage or antique furniture carries a story, a piece of history, and cultural significance. By incorporating these items into our living spaces today, we preserve the craftsmanship and artistry of the past. This appreciation for history and culture offers a deeper understanding of our heritage and can help to encourage a more mindful and sustainable approach to consumption.
Here at Village Vintage, we love what we do and are passionate about delivering the best results for our valued customers. If you’re looking for unique vintage pieces and antique furniture, we’d love to help! Simply get in touch with us by filling out our contact form and one of our friendly team will get back to you.
Are you looking for a reputable Essex antique dealer? Then you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to Village Vintage , a family run, father and son business who are passionate about our vintage collections and of course, our wonderful customers. In this week’s blog post, we thought we’d introduce ourselves, discuss exactly what it is we do, why we’re passionate about the antiques and vintage industry and how we could assist in finding your next unique piece for your home.
Here at Village Vintage, we specialise in sourcing, unusual vintage/antique furnishings and decorative items for around the home. We cater to all styles and budgets, and guarantee that our products have that unique difference that you are looking for! If you’re looking to make an impact in your home, Village Vintage is there to help you achieve this. If it’s not in stock, we’ll do our best to source something for you.
As Essex antique dealers with years of experience under our belt, not only are we extremely skilled and respected in our field, but we have built trusting relationships with credible suppliers across Europe. This ensures that our customers get the premium quality, one of a kind home furnishings they’re looking for.
When it comes to customer service, we are dedicated to delivering the best and always strive to go above and beyond in all that we do. We have a very in-depth knowledge of the marketplace and trends and try to focus on design led pieces with well-known names as well as the more unusual, quality items that we may come across.
We sell individual pieces to the public and also supply high end hotels and other hospitality venues who are always searching for quality, one off pieces. Our team are very proud that our field of work is so environmentally friendly, and with our in-house expert restoration, we make sure that pieces carry on being loved and admired for years to come.
At Village Vintage, we predominantly trade online, however, we know just how important it is for you to get a feel for the item you’re interested in. There’s nothing quite like seeing an antique in all its grandeur for yourself! Located on the Essex and Suffolk border, we offer viewings with our team at our secure storage facility, Monday- Friday by appointment only. This way, you’re able to physically see the item, talk to our professional team and ask any questions you may have.
Furthermore, our customers are welcome to collect items in person, or we can organise both UK and international delivery. We want your purchasing experience to be as seamless as possible for you, so we give you the option for ultimate convenience.
In our industry, trust and credibility is everything. Our Essex antique dealer are leading the way with our upfront and sincere approach. For every quality piece, we guarantee assurance that the items we distribute are genuine, providing accurate provenance and verification whenever possible. We want you to shop with confidence; for many, vintage and antique items are often investments, so purchasing from a trusted reputable source is absolutely key.
Village Vintage adhere to ethical standards, which includes fair pricing, honest disclosure, and responsible sourcing. We also have our clear, no quibble 14 day return policy and guarantees, providing additional peace of mind for buyers. We understand that a good reputation fosters customer loyalty and long-term business relationships - we want you to leave us feeling informed and above all, satisfied with your purchase!
We have hundreds of beautiful pieces available on our website, with new items consistently added to our collection. Should you have any queries, our team would be happy to help! Some of our most popular categories include:
Did you know that our Essex antique dealer specialises in antique restoration? Restoring antique furniture is a wonderful way to prolong the life of furniture, as well as refreshing the item. It’s one thing having an eye for vintage items, but restoring antiques takes our expertise to a whole new level. This intricate skill truly sets our business apart. At Village Vintage, we restore antique and vintage pieces that we purchase, only if needed, with great care and precision.
Village Vintage Essex antique dealer are extremely passionate about the sustainable offerings of our field and pride ourselves on our environmentally friendly commitment to only supply pre-loved, quality items.
Today, it’s increasingly difficult to find quality items that can withstand the test of time with minimal upkeep. With pressure on designers, manufacturers and suppliers to minimise costs, quality is often sacrificed, which certainly rings true in the modern furnishings industry. Cheaper materials are now being used to craft products, which means the customer will need replacements much sooner.
Choosing vintage and antique pieces over newer options not only supports sustainability efforts but also ensures high-quality furnishings that last longer than the alternative.
Here at Village Vintage, we love what we do and are passionate about delivering the best results for our valued customers. If you’re looking for unique vintage and antique pieces for the home, we’d love to help! Simply get in touch with us by filling out our contact form and one of our friendly team will get back to you. Don't forget to join our community on Facebook.
Unfortunately, the antique furniture that we all love and cherish in our homes and offices is more often than not unprotected. The antique furniture of today has different needs than the antique furniture of yesterday. The antique furniture we buy today will last much longer if we follow some simple rules for preservation. This blog post will introduce you to the basic principles of antique perseveration so that your vintage pieces can be protected for generations to come.
Antique wooden surfaces require specific care to keep them protected and looking new. A soft brush such as a small paintbrush can be used to gently dust antique wooden furniture with a very lightly dampened, clean cloth; avoid using water or soap when cleaning antique wood pieces. A slightly brighter finish can be achieved by using a very soft, dry cloth to buff antique wooden surfaces such as antique dining tables or antique dressers.
Any antique that needs repairs should have them done using antique-style joinery and antique finish materials, which shouldn't be difficult since most antique furniture is made from solid woods such as oak, maple, cherry, or walnut. You can use modern materials to make repairs or refinish your antique; woodworkers commonly use modern adhesives, varnishes, and stains when working on antique furniture. You can touch up scratches or worn spots with an antique stain or finish pencil to give the piece an antique look.
Use a high-quality paste wax polish when protecting antique furniture for storage; wax prevents dust and other particles from settling on the antique's surface and also provides a protective coating. Make sure to get antique furniture wax explicitly made for antique furniture; it'll be easier to apply, won't leave streaks or buildup, and will offer better protection than most modern polishes. Other antique-appropriate cleaners include one part distilled water and one part isopropyl alcohol.
Antique fabrics should be cleaned and allowed to dry completely before any work is done on the antique piece; never use water or solvents on antique fabrics. Clean antique upholstered surfaces using a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment to pick up dust and dirt, then carefully clean antique upholstery with an antique-appropriate cleaner. Antique slipcovers are fragile, so they should be stored separately from antique furniture when not in use.
Antique wooden doors and drawers should be oiled with antique-style door and drawer oil, not modern wood oils. Apply the antique-appropriate cleaner to a soft cloth, then wipe the antique doors or antique drawers down with that cloth. The knob or pull-on antique doors should have an antique-style sealer applied to them at least once a year to keep them from looking worn.
Antique hardware such as antique door or drawer pulls often need to be polished periodically; antique-style oil will protect the metal without leaving a residue on your antique furniture like some modern lubricants might. Antique hardware should also be kept clean; if antique pull sticks, apply the antique-appropriate cleaner to a soft cloth, then gently wipe the antique pull clean.
Antique furniture should always be stored in a dry place, preferably one where there's no humidity or moisture present; this can cause antique furniture to warp and become damaged. Before placing antique furniture away for storage, make sure it's thoroughly dried out first; if antique furniture has been sitting in a damp or humid area, antique furniture can develop mould that needs to be removed before it's placed into storage.
When you think of antique furniture, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a beautiful antique rocking chair or antique colonial dresser. But antique furniture isn't limited to these types of pieces and antique furniture can be found in many areas of your home. Chances are, you have antique dining room chairs or antique bedroom chests in your home that need some restoration! If you're interested in restoring antique furniture with minimal investment and time spent, read on! We'll explore how to restore antique furniture using only household items. Now, let's get started with the steps for restoring your antique furniture piece at home!
Restoring antique furniture can be a wonderful way to breathe new life into old pieces. Some of the benefits include:
When you think of antique furniture, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a beautiful antique rocking chair or antique colonial dresser. But antique furniture isn't limited to these types of pieces and antique furniture can be found in many areas of your home. Chances are, you have antique dining room chairs or antique bedroom chests in your home that need some restoration! If you're interested in restoring antique furniture with minimal investment and time spent, read on! We'll explore how to restore antique furniture using only household items. Now, let's get started with the steps for restoring your antique furniture piece at home!
The easiest step for antique furniture restoration is antique furniture cleaning. This step can be done with a store-bought antique furniture cleaner and a soft cloth. Make sure to read the instructions on the antique furniture cleaner before applying it.
An antique dresser often has stains of different colours that have accumulated over time. The majority of these stains will come off with wiping the surface down with water, but there are some stubborn stains that need a little help from baking soda paste in order to get them out! To make this paste, mix 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water until it becomes an even consistency. Then use a soft cloth to apply the paste to the stained area and leave it for at least 10 minutes before wiping away any excess.
Hairspray, hairspray buildup, or other aerosol products can accumulate in antique furniture pieces and cause unwanted damage.
Hairspray buildup or other aerosol products can accumulate in antique furniture pieces and cause unwanted damage. If you're interested in restoring antique furniture with minimal investment and time spent, read on! We'll explore how to restore antique furniture using only household items. Now, let's get started with the steps for restoring your antique furniture piece at home!
For antique furniture that has splits, you'll want to use quick-drying glue or epoxy. Apply it to the cracked area and clamp it together. You can also try using antique furniture clamps over the period of a few hours for an antique chair's joints or antique table's stretchers.
Sandpaper is a useful tool for antique furniture restoration. It can be used to sand away any rough edges and create a smoother surface.
This process can help antique furniture pieces last longer than they would without the use of sandpaper, but it also helps antique furniture look more beautiful and elegant when you're done! You should start by removing any loose parts like drawers or handles, then using fine grit sandpaper on all the surfaces of your antique piece with gentle circular motions. After that, make sure to wipe off all dust before reassembling your antique piece.
Restoring antique furniture is a process that can be done in your own home with minimal investment and time spent. By following the five easy steps outlined above, you'll have antique furniture restored to its original beauty without having to call an antique restoration professional!
Ceramics are always a popular type of antique, but it can be hard to know where to start if you want to begin collecting them or if you're looking for something that is not too expensive. From individual items (like pottery) and full collections, this article has some great advice on how best to identify the ceramics in your collection.
As with other types of antiques, ceramics come with marks that help you identify them. However, the range of ceramic and pottery out there is incredibly varied, which means that these markings cover a huge selection as to what they mean for identifying who made them - if anything at all! The Victoria & Albert Museum has created an A-Z guide on how to best determine where your next piece might be from or by whom it was crafted; take their advice before making any purchases so you can get something truly worth collecting!
Ceramics can be identified by a number of factors, including marks. You will need to know the origin and time period as well in order to identify your pieces correctly. The way you identify ceramics is important because it decides what kind of information about its history that you'll have access to - like where they were made or when they started being used.
Ceramics come in many different varieties and are made from a wide range of materials. Some ceramics, such as earthenware, may be coarse or stoneware but others can be delicate porcelain. The weight and translucence of the ceramic item will give you an indication if it is likely to have been made by hand or on a wheel. For example, older pottery would typically indicate that it was created by hand while pieces being cut from wheels tend to be much newer with cleaner lines. If you want to know what type of glaze was used, take a look at the decoration and style. Some potters have styles that are easy to identify while others can be more difficult. You should also check if it has sharp edges or is colorful with lots of detail - all will make identification easier!
If you’re looking for a more definitive answer, having your ceramics looked at and valued by an expert is the best option. They will know exactly what to look for in order to identify tell-tale signs that indicate who made it, where it was produced and when its most likely from. If you're an antique collector or seller, this information can be very helpful. An expert is able to provide a rough estimate for the value of your piece and help assess whether it's part of a set or not. This is important information that can help you when building your collection or if you decide to sell your antique ceramic. The value of any given piece depends on a number of factors, so it’s vital not only for collectors but also those who want to liquidate their pieces as well. There are many different types and styles which may affect the price; some will be worth more than others because they have historical significance due to where they were made, what year they were produced in, etc.
Take a look at the following to get an idea of how much vintage ceramics could be worth:
Getting your ceramics appraised is a smart idea if you want to sell them or insure them. This will offer you an estimate of their worth as well as more information about their origins. An appraisal can also provide you with more information about other works by the same creator that you might wish to add to your collection, perhaps increasing the value of your ceramics in the long run.
One of the main reasons why many people prefer antique furniture is because it has been made with care and attention to detail. New furniture, on the other hand, is mass-produced in factories where corners are often cut. Furniture that was created centuries ago shows craftsmanship that can't be found in modern pieces. Another reason why more and more people are starting to collect antique furniture is due to its value; an antique piece will always be worth something even if you decide not to keep it forever. Throughout this article, we'll delve into the benefits of picking up an antique piece of furniture over a new shop-purchased furnishings.
The world's third-largest consumer of wood, IKEA is accused of being the least sustainable retailer on earth and stoking a cut-and-consume cycle that has destroyed forests at an unprecedented rate in human history. Purchasing vintage pieces for your home can help you avoid this situation while still having access to affordable decorating options! Choosing vintage pieces for your home decorating is an easy way to go green. Items from the past have already been used and disposed of once before, so you don’t need landfill space or resources when reusing them in your own house! When the world of fashion and furnishings continually evolves, what is best for our environment often suffers. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to find quality items that can withstand a decade or more with minimal upkeep and occasional replacement parts; in order to cut costs at every level (designer price points as well), many furniture manufacturers have begun using cheap materials when crafting their products - producing an item which will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Choosing vintage pieces over newer ones not only supports sustainability efforts but also provides high-quality goods that may last longer than mass-produced counterparts.
Antique furniture is remarkable because no two pieces are alike. The unique elements that give vintage furniture its charm also provide a pleasant contrast in a room with otherwise modern pieces, comparable to the personality of each individual home. A genuinely exclusive furnishing, such as an 18th-century German baroque cabinet or antique desk will spice up any room and make for a great conversation piece among guests who enjoy exploring your space - which can be difficult when everything looks similar to one another! Depending on the item you choose from our inventory at Village Vintage, scuffs and imperfections may actually add to its existing character rather than detracting from it like newer furnishings would where they have been manufactured without flaws.
You don't need to be interested in flipping antique furniture for this aspect of the hobby. Just like buying a new car, it doesn't take long before newer pieces start losing their value. Well-cared-for vintage items that remain in good condition are sure to become more valuable over time as they age with grace and dignity.
A sophisticated home is one that has a well-curated mix of pieces. Vintage items are an essential ingredient to achieving this because they bring texture, contrast, and personality into any space while adding the right amount of flair with newer ones. When you pair old and newer things, it highlights their differences but in a good way--it produces something truly original. Plus investing in vintage furniture protects against trend whiplash; there's nothing worse than spending lots of time on decorating your house only to realize soon after how dated everything looks already!
Antiques don't have to be everywhere on your premises. Even if you only have one or two, they still make for great contrast and mix well with more contemporary pieces. In some instances less can mean more; people are likely going to talk about that rare antique over all of the other modern furniture sitting around!
If you want to invest in good-quality furniture, then original vintage pieces are the way to go. These have stood the test of time and can be passed down through generations. You will never regret investing your money into such a long-lasting piece that has been carefully handcrafted with care for many years ago! The furniture is crafted by hand using high-quality materials so it can last for generations. This means you'll be able to enjoy the elegant, yet rugged style of decades past while still being comfortable with your purchase today. You will also notice that the design was ahead of its time - there are designs from three decades ago that would fit seamlessly into your furnishings.
When you buy an antique, not only do you get a piece of furniture that is both high-quality and has the chance to be worth more than what you paid for it in the future, but also one that will serve as an excellent investment while adding sophistication to your home. Plus when buying vintage pieces like this, there’s no need to worry about environmental impacts or over-production because they are typically made by hand - so go ahead and indulge yourself with some beautiful antiques today! What piece of antique furniture do you have your eye on for your next purchase?