Project help
Home Project Answers
Short, honest answers to the questions we hear most.
Do I need to choose one decade for a room?
No. Mixing decades usually looks more natural than a strict period scheme. Connect pieces through repeated colour, wood tone or shape, and the room will feel deliberate.
Where can I find affordable vintage furniture?
Charity shops, local auctions, house clearances, antiques fairs and online marketplaces. Weekday auction previews can be quieter, giving you time to inspect pieces properly.
Will refinishing reduce the value of vintage furniture?
It can, particularly for labelled or designer pieces. Clean and wax first, and seek specialist advice before stripping. See our repair notes.
How can I tell if furniture is genuinely mid-century?
Look for maker labels, stamps, construction methods such as dovetails, and wear consistent with age. Reproductions of famous designs are common, so ask a specialist for valuable pieces.
How do I deal with a musty smell in old furniture?
Air the piece in a dry, ventilated place, clean inside gently and leave an open dish of bicarbonate of soda in drawers for several days. Persistent damp smells may mean mould, which needs proper treatment.
Can renters create a vintage look?
Yes. Focus on portable items such as lamps, rugs, textiles, picture ledges and freestanding furniture. Our room stories include a rented-flat example.
What is the easiest restoration job for a beginner?
Cleaning and waxing a sound wooden surface, or re-covering a drop-in dining chair seat. Both give quick, satisfying results with little risk.
How do I stop a room looking like a theme set?
Keep some modern essentials, limit strong period colours to accents and choose pieces for comfort and daily use rather than historical accuracy.
Is woodworm always a reason to walk away?
Not always. Old, inactive holes are common. Fresh pale dust suggests active infestation, which should be treated before the piece comes indoors.