We have often been asked, “How can you tell if something is worth redoing?” So I thought I’d give you a few tips to help you while you’re out looking for your next treasure.
Tip #1: Pick it up.
The heavier a piece of furniture is, the more likely it’s made of hard woods and quality materials than if it is super light. Generally, heavier also means stronger and more durable.
Tip #2: Sit in it.
If it feels stout and solid, that’s a good sign. If the joints flex and don’t feel tight, you may be looking at additional structural repair. Also, is it comfortable? If you’re going to be sitting in it often, make sure the proportions are right for you. Padding can be replaced during the upholstery process, so don’t stress over flattened out cushions or rips in the fabric.
Tip #3: Look underneath it.
A good indication of quality furniture is if it has coil springs. Coil springs add more support to seating and take a considerable amount of time to hand tie, so if a piece of furniture has them, it is likely care was taken to ensure a well-crafted piece of furniture. On the underside of the chair, sofa, etc., there should be a dustcover (generally black). If the seat is sprung, it will feel solid and you may see webbing woven like a basket. If it feels like there is nothing on the bottom plane of the furniture besides the dustcover, it may be without coils.
Tip #4: Is it unique?
Are there special details or unique materials used in the construction? When I see a piece of furniture with extreme lines, strange material combos, or ornate wooden carvings, I fall in love. Find pieces that you haven’t seen before. If there’s something special about it that grabs your attention, you’re less likely to lose that loving feeling.
Loading ...
Nugget of the Week: Popping up in the Neighborhood
Not to brag or anything, but our shop has been called a “beacon of light” in the neighborhood. Our little shop is nestled among lots of auto shops, a day labor center, a strip club, and a couple sketchy motels where they like to film horror flix. Don’t get me wrong, we LOVE our neighborhood. The houses in the neighborhood are FANTASTIC, and I wish I could live there. The neighborhood, really, is almost perfect. However, as long as we’ve been in our space, we’ve been talking about how we really need a few good places to eat and drink within walking distance, and it looks like we’re finally about to get our wish!
First, just two doors south on Lamar, Elsi’s is putting in a smaller restaurant featuring their cuisine from El Salvador. I’m looking forward to the day I can walk a couple doors down and pick up tacos and fresh empanadas! Yum!
Directly across the street, in the space you may know as the Emporium from Dazed and Confused, it’s rumored (so don’t quote us on this) that Threadgill’s is opening a diner that will be called Hiney’s Tiny Diner. I hope that we’ll be having Sprucette morning meetings there! I love diner food. They’ve started building some diner-looking additions to the building.
And, once the day is done, we’ll have a place for our favorite time: beer-thirty! Black Star Co-op is opening at the Crestview Metro Station. I’m interested to see how this plays out. As they say, “Why shouldn’t you own the pub you drink at?!”