"Thrifting can be incredibly rewarding. However, even the casual vintage enthusiast has likely experienced the emotional roller coaster that is finding that "holy grail" piece - perhaps the Tiffany-style lamp from your Pinterest boards, or the spice rack trending on TikTok - only to check the price tag, fall into sticker shock, and wonder if you somehow wandered into a designer showroom instead."
"You might feel like it's fate to have stumbled across that "rare" piece, but if it's overpriced, damaged, or in bad condition, is it really worth it? Where do we draw the line? I spoke to interior designers (and vintage enthusiasts) to find out which items or categories they tend to avoid when sourcing vintage pieces - and some of their answers might surprise you."
Thrift stores offer affordable, unique pieces that carry history, patina, and personality. Finding vintage items can be emotionally rewarding but often leads to sticker shock when prices are high. Successful thrifting requires knowing when to walk away from overpriced, damaged, or poor-condition items. Professional vintage buyers sometimes leave stores empty-handed, prioritizing long-term value for clients. Heavily worn upholstered furniture, especially sofas and armchairs, often carries optimistic price tags while reupholstery and restoration raise total costs. Assessing condition, restoration expenses, and genuine rarity prevents impulsive purchases that become costly projects.
Read at Apartment Therapy
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