PT.7 Up Market Style for the Financially Challenged

=== Antiques and Vintage Furniture ===

Most of these pieces are not going to be in our budget but from time to time we get lucky...we can inherit them or find a very rare bargain. It is safe to say that average consumer pieces made after 1960 are as a rule ....crap! Why? Because up until that time traditional materials were still plentiful and reasonably cheap and some good hand craftsmanship was still not unusual. Furniture was often made locally and a strict assembly line production was not the norm. Any furniture made before 1950 is a relatively safe purchase. Look for all wood construction...veneers are acceptable...look up close to any moulding and make sure it is not painted over plastic. Turn over the piece especially the bottom of drawers if they are wood they will have a wood grain and not be a wood composite such as hardboard. Pieces that are not overly ornate are usually best because what you do not want is...for example "the hot new consumer look of 1936" but the conservative pieces of that same year. Later I will get into an article going into detail of how to pick pieces...and even try and show you when you can safely 'cheat' and buy pieces that technically do not meet these standards.