How to Decorate Your Home With Antiques
Learn from an expert how to source, shop & refinish antiques for your home.
Shopping for antique furniture isn’t for the faint of heart.
What style of antique furniture will work with my existing interior design?
How much should you pay for that antique piece of furniture?
Does it need refinishing?
How much will refinishing cost?
Where do I take antique furniture for refinishing?
How do you choose the right fabric & paint for the refinishing?
Who can I trust?
SO…MANY…QUESTIONS.
That’s why we contacted Sabrina Colosimo from Sunday Creative. Sabrina is a rock star when it comes to selecting, refinishing & designing your interior with antiques. Seriously, if you live in the Greater Toronto Area and want to add some antiques to homes interior design, Sabrina is the one to talk to.
For this article, we asked Sabrina a bazillion questions about decorating our home with antiques. Here’s what she had to say…
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
Hi Sabrina, First off, thanks again for doing this. I think it's going to be a great resource for GTA antique shoppers. As we discussed, I will be speaking from the POV of a homeowner who wants to add some antique pieces to their home but doesn't know where to begin...where to shop, how to value, should they buy refinished pieces or pieces that need refinishing, how to get items refinished, etc.
I'm probably going to miss some obvious questions, so please expand & share your giant brain with the audience :)
As a homeowner who is thinking of adding some cool antique pieces to their home (furniture, home decor, etc) BUT has little experience with antiques, I don't know where to begin....should I start searching online by myself or venture out to local shops by myself? My concern is that I don't know how to value antiques and I don't want to get swindled.
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
It's funny - some of my clients are concerned about Heritage particulars - Dates, brands, Country of Origin, Value etc. But, by far most of them aren't.
I think it might be due to my brand's appeal to a particular aesthetic. Myself personally, I'm nowhere near as interested in some "objective value" of a piece, as I am in how the piece will look, feel and function in MY space.
All this to say, I try to encourage people to focus on HOW a piece will work for them, not on an arbitrary value.
With this license to shop - yes to all of the above! Searching online is endless - often you are able to pick up sweet deals from Online Platforms like Facebook Marketplace& Kijiji, from people selling "old stuff" to make space or downsize. You will also find intentional re-sellers like me, on there, selling a more Curated selection of Vintage. There are actually quite a few of us in Toronto - and we each seem to have our own Editorialized Style/Collection.
Markets are great as well. Flea Markets, Antique Markets. Especially Out of town ( I always find the best pieces out of town ! )
Tip - Travel with your tape measure and a clear understanding of the space you can afford for your new pieces!
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
Are there people who will source antiques for me?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
Yes. I have a nearly Infinite List of clients (ok, I exaggerate - but it's a lot ! ) Who have asked me to scout particular pieces for them. I keep this list and review it weekly or before a large Vintage Haul, to see if anything I'm bringing in will fill a particular. request. To this avail, on my new website, there will be an Online List, whereby clients can log in & Submit their requests. I'm hoping to launch the new site in a month or so.
Right now I have people queued up for things like a "Rattan Queen Headboard", "Teak Dining Chairs 28-30" high with light fabric", An MCM Credenza with a depth no greater than 16", and a "Brass Etagere".
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
Should I buy antiques that have been refinished to look like brand new or look for ones that need some TLC?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
Such a fun question! There are so many kinds of Vintage resellers out there. Some specialize in refinished pieces. Of course, the price reflects that! But with these, you get polished pieces. Teak tables that are essentially perfect, with a lustrous, vivid finish. The colours are truer. The grain is rich. And the imperfections are hidden/sanded away.
Sometimes I sell pieces like this, but often I sell as-is vintage. I look for pieces that are in decent shape. Clients expect there to be minor imperfections and minor wear. Personally, I appreciate the Vintage Charm in this ( and the lower price point ). However, I have always been the kind of person that appreciates a well-lived space. I don't believe in having people remove their shoes when they come to my home - the floors are made for walking, y'know? ;)
If you want to try to restore a piece yourself, this can also be a fun project and a way to personalize a vintage item. Refinishing wood isn't for the novice Weekend Warrier, but Painting is !
I use Homestead Furniture Paint, and I personally LOVE the vivid colours they have available. The paint goes on really smooth and the best part is - no prep needed! You can paint right over the top of the existing piece without sanding. (Caveat - if certain pieces are super high gloss, or made of Laminate, they do have a primer to increase the bond )
Painting a piece of furniture enables you to play around with the look, and really make it your own. I often paint the sides and top of a dresser and leave the drawers in the original state, if they are in good condition. The mix of wood/paint is quite on-trend right now.
I picked up a sideboard for $75 at a flea this summer - it was quite literally being stored in someone's barn in a small town outside of Guelph. And it looked the part! lol. It was so sad and tired looking. Buy the time I finished painting it in the Coal Black, I had multiple people vying to purchase it from Instagram, immediately.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
If I buy pieces that need some work, how do I proceed? Should I get the antique merchant to refinish them or look for a 3rd party?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
Most antique merchants don't do the painting. I find people either re-sell vintage or they paint vintage. Seldom both. I do happen to do both. Some of the higher end Sellers do refinishing, for sure.
And, as mentioned, there is always the option to tackle the project on your own!
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
How would the restoration process work if I do find someone?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
They'll either pick up or have you deliver the piece. Most often they will ask for an image for reference, to show what kind of "look" you are after. They will discuss structural limitations with you, and, if you are lucky, help you with some design guidance.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
How much should it cost?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
Price is definitely the biggest barrier to entry when clients want to explore the Idea of Vintage Redux,
Reupholstery isn't cheap. An MCM sofa reu0ohlstery project ( which is essentially 6 loose cushions ), is around $750. That's just for the service. The fabric is additional. Fabric can range from $30-$300 yard ( no joke !) , depending on the supplier, the fabric type, or the print. I can do a solid black velvet for around $50/yard. The vivid FLoral turquoise sofa, however, was from a beautiful "Clarke & Clarke". That fabric ran me $325/yard!
For painting furniture - I usually charge in the neighbourhood of $300 for a dresser.
Refinishing/Restoring Wood pieces can be very costly, upwards of $1000 for that same dresser.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
Do I deliver the piece myself or find a shipper?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
I work with a delivery guy that does drops everywhere in the GTA ( even further ). His rates are reasonable, and the best part is that he always has a second mover with him. For large pieces this is a huge boon, as I don't need to lift anything.
If you are a tow-some and not afraid to hustle, renting a van for a few hours is easy. I have a monthly membership with Zipcar ( $8/month). One of the Zip Vans is parked one block from my house. I walk over, unlock the van with my phone, and I'm off. If you plan on moving things periodically throughout the year, I would recommend a membership. The ballpark cost is $25/hr, with no charges for gas or insurance.
It doesn't hurt to ask the vendor/refinisher if they deliver. I find about 50% of them do, and they can quote you a rate.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
Should I find refinishing material, supplies, etc or will the refinisher?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
If you a reusing a refinisher you definitely don't need to provide supplies.
You should, however, be in control of the paint colour if you want the piece painted. I always send my clients a link to the Homestead Paint Colour Options and have them choose.
It's one thing to say 'White". It's another to know "which white" , and how it will look in the end.
For the dining table set pictured above, we sent the client a link to all the "whites" available of the paint. We then sent pictures of the various Nailheads available, as she didn't want them too "brassy". The devil is in the details. You should be involved.
For fabric, I prefer that clients go with the fabric options I provide them. I mail out free swatches to their home. If they are interested in, for instance, an emerald green sofa - I'll send them 20-25 swatches of green fabrics to choose from.
This avoids surprise or disappointment. They can also come by the studio and choose with me. I love this because we actually get to chat and bounce ideas off each other!
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
How long should it take?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
Myself, I usually quote 3 weeks, as that is just the length of my queue. The piece itself can be done sometimes in a few hours, but usually several hours , over the course of a couple of days with dry-time in between.
it also depends on how detailed the piece is. I would say 2-4 weeks.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
How involved in the process should I be? Should I provide pics of my home as it exists now to match fabrics, paint colours, etc?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
This is the unique position of my brand !
As an Interior Stylist, I help guide my clients to solutions that will work in their home.
Often a client will show me a picture of a vintage item, let's say a sofa, an ask for fabric recommendations. I LOVE giving recommendations, but to do that - I need to see their space !
If it is a conversation we are having over Zoom, that is perfect - i get the chance to peer into their space and see how they live. Their existing furniture, paint colours, layout and lifestyle all help inform my recommendations.
I recently had a client that wanted a sofa re-done, but having it "kid-friendly" was high priority for her. With two young ones, she wanted a fabric that was durable and easy to clean.
Even by taking into consideration all of these details, there are still somewhat endless options. I often get the feeling like clients want me to take one look at their space and instantly say - "this is the colour for you!".
But, truth be told, I could most likely design that sofa 25-ways-from-sunday. And all 25 iterations would be fantastic in their space - just in different ways.
Client involvement and personal affinity is a huge part of the process. I want my clients to weigh in with their preferences - I'll let them know if I think something is a terrible idea, but mostly, it's just thinking up ways in which it could "work".
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
How much flexibility should I expect from the refinisher re design questions? If I want to refinish a Queen Anne chair in some crazy modern fabric...is that okay? will the refinisher offer design suggestions that is appropriate to the style of my piece?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
And this harkens back to the answer above, doesn't it ? There really is no "wrong" answer. A juxtaposition in styles can be intentional, and extremely coveted by one person (and vehemently hated by another !)
I love juxtaposition. I love eclectism,. MY whole brand aesthetic is built on Bold Choices and, essentially…Maximalism. A mix of patterns, prints, styles, colours, and eras.
That mixture is my style. But, it might not be yours.
You should chat with your Upholstereer or Refinisher about what you love and what you hate.
A quick note here - Upholsterers and Refinishers are seldom designers. They are often Skilled Tradespeople. They will make lovely things from the materials you bring them. But, ideation and design are not often part of the package. For that, you really need to be working with a designer.
Of course, as we all know, image-rich platforms like Instagram and Pinterest can provide such great starting points for your project. If you come armed with a few photos you love, professionals can guide you from there.
Tradespeople are great if you bring them specifics " I love the houndstooth print on this chair, pictured- can you find me fabric like this ?" Perfect. They will find it.
Designers are better with more generalized info - " I love the look of this space. If I recovered these chairs I have, what fabric should I use to evoke this sort of feeling?"
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
How do I make antiques work if I have a home full of modern/contemporary furniture?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
I love this question. Eclectic looks can feel intentional when done right. This means, possibly bringing in a little more than ONE vintage item.
It can also mean, updating an antique dresser by painting it a deep purple. Instant modernism.
I did a concept board last year showcasing a piece I selected from a Salvage place in Des. Moines, Iowa ( of all places ! ) and showed how I could incorporate it into a space that had modern finishes.
I did another one to show my cleint how a Rustic antique headboard ( apintd black ) could be used ina. trendy modern space.
Another one showed how to use my Custom Upholstered Floral Velvet Barrel chairs ( may favorite pieces I have done , so far ! ), in a Modern Bedroom.
I did it because I get this q a lot. Sometimes when you are standing in nan antique store, or a salvage store, you can feel like "it's all junk". You can also feel like things will only work if I had a Rustic Farmhouse".
Envisioning vintage or salvage pieces in a contemporary space is hard ! I do it often, so I feel like I have "special vision' when it comes to this.
It's my super-power !
My house is ( of course ) FULL of vintage.
This MASSIVE Wood Mirror is my favourite piece. Once I Styledit on top of my Pink Arrowhead Wallpaper, above my charming Gold Vintage Sofa, clients could really "see" the beauty. I've sourced & sold multiples of this mirror ever since. If the mirror was on it's own, in a photo, I'd probably never sell it. Learning how to combine vintage and create a unique aesthetic is a skill, for sure.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto
Can I expect an antique refinisher to help with these "interior design" type of questions? If not, are there people (you) who can offer design + antique services?
Sabrina Colosimo - Sunday Creative
As I mentioned before, Upholsterers and Refinishers are seldom designers. They are often Skilled Tradespeople. They will make lovely things from the materials you bring them. But, ideation and design are not often part of the package. For that, you really need to be working with a designer.
This is the unique position of my brand. As an Interior Stylist, I help guide my clients to solutions that will work in their home. I do as much or as little as the client wants. If they are using another refinisher they can pay for my services by the hour. I do offer a free 45 Min Zoom Consult.
Most often, however, clients who are seeking my advice are also having me reupholster or repaint their pieces. It's a one-stop-creative-shop here. Lol
About the Author
Sabrina Colosimo is a Creative Entrepreneur & Founder of the Quirky Interiors Brand "Sunday Creative". Her bold aesthetic includes unique Decor Handmade in Bali, Vivid Wallpapers, and Custom Upholstery.
Her REDUX line, re-invents Vintage Furniture with a Modern Twist.
When she's not busy obsessing over all things decor-related, you can find her hunting for vintage, talking Entrepreneurship with anyone who will listen, or trying to stare directly into the sun.
She lives in Toronto, but her heart lives in Bali.
Contact Sabrina & Sunday Creative
Website: www.sunday-creative.com
Email: sabrina@sunday-creative.com
Instagram: @_sundaycreative
Facebook: @sundaycreative.sc