most efficient way of purchasing for your home, as you don’t have to wait for long lead times.” So where should you go, and what should you be looking out for?
Beginner’s guide to buying second-hand furniture By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA Who doesn’t love a cheerful mix of old and new? From hand-me-downs to flea market finds and car boot sales, a good old rummage can certainly reap its rewards… and chime with present-day pieces. But how about taking your purchasing prowess to the next level – and styling up your space with planet-friendly finds en masse? “We’re all trying to buy less and buy better,” says Lisa Dawson, home stylist, interiors blogger and author of Resourceful Living. So when you’re planning your interior scheme, she says you want to make sure to include a sustainable mix of furniture. “Sourcing vintage and second-hand furnishings is a great responsible way to do that, instead of buying everything new.” Harriet Pringle,founder of Narchie,a homeware marketplace app, also applauds shopping second hand.“Not only is it the most sustainable way to shop for your home, it helps give new life to something that would otherwise be chucked away.“But you can also get cheaper,better quality,and unique designs at a fraction of the price. It’s also the quickest and
Where to shop
“For me, the number one place to source vintage from – that everyone can access easily – is eBay,” says Dawson.
She advises:“Now eBay is a massive platform and can seem daunting with thousands of sellers – so it’s really important that you do some due diligence while you’re shopping there.” Make sure to spend time looking at the customer ratings the seller has received – before you start bidding – to check how reliable they are to be buying from, warns Dawson. “You really don’t want to be bidding on products, for them then not to be what you expect – or arrive in poor condition.” She says you can also filter your shopping search by distance, so you can see which furniture items are closest for you to collect, or to organise a courier service for. Pringle says platforms like Narchie have more than 2,800 sellers, selling everything from vintage tableware, textiles, furniture and art, so there is a huge selection to suit every budget and style. “You can search for specific items or categories, and you can filter by resale, new, price and more,” she highlights.“So it’s easier to find specific pieces you’re looking for, as well as
22 | mccarthyholden.co.uk
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs