In With The Old: Why Antique and Vintage Furniture Still Belongs in Modern Homes

There’s a certain charm to furniture that’s been used, appreciated, and loved before. Whether it’s the soft sheen of a worn armrest or the subtle dings on a dresser, second-hand and antique furniture holds a story. At Summerfield + Scott, we believe there’s enormous satisfaction in reviving such pieces - bringing them back to life through careful, thoughtful restoration. The result? Restored furniture that retains its original character while offering renewed function and aesthetic appeal - a pleasant antidote to a world which spins seemingly faster every day. 

The preservation of Character in Antique Furniture

Furniture made with good materials and proper craftsmanship can be revived time and again. One of the greatest joys of working with vintage furniture is that every bang and scrape it has endured amasses to create a unique piece, with shape, form and character evident from every angle. A second joy is that it can be used as intended – it will happily absorb the bumps and bashes from everyday life before eventually being repaired once more. 

The trick of restoration therefore is to ensure the preservation of character, adapt for modern functionality where necessary and, above all, honour the original design.

What Makes Great Furniture Design Endure?

Good design may be subjective, but timeless design is unmistakable. From the practicality of Charles Eames to the beauty-first philosophy of William Morris, lasting furniture balances form and function. In restoring old furniture, we aim to protect this balance - ensuring the piece looks beautiful, works well, and will remain relevant for decades to come.

We consider where a material or an object has come from, what does it need to do now and how will it function in 10, 50, 100 years time? This thoughtful approach underpins everything we do in our restoration workshop.

Old vs. New Furniture: Why Restoration Wins on Style and Substance

We are bombarded daily with the mantra that shiny and new is better than old; that we can ‘upgrade’ our lives at the click of a button. The irony here (within the furniture industry) is that a quick search of the most popular current designs are modern reproductions of past design eras; whether mid-century minimalism, Art-Deco extravagance or sturdy, sensible ‘brown’ furniture. 

Another recent idea has been to mass produce ‘pre-distressed’ new furniture, in a way mimicking trends often seen in the fashion industry - ripped jeans anyone? Almost unbelievably it is now acceptable to prefer something new that looks old as opposed to something that is simply, well, old. 

Rather than buying something new that’s made to look old, why not choose a restored original? Properly restored antique and vintage furniture carries real history - and, when restored well, offers both visual appeal and everyday function.

Of course, there’s a place for high-quality new furniture too. The key is balance: well-made modern pieces can live comfortably alongside old furniture that’s been looked after or restored with care.

Sustainable, Characterful and Ready to Last

Restored furniture is more than just a design choice - it’s an environmentally responsible one. Choosing to live with antique or vintage pieces helps reduce waste and supports the principle of reuse. These items were built to last - and with thoughtful restoration, they still can.

And of course, there are more instinctive and emotional reasons for choosing to live with old furniture: a connection with the past, a curiosity for lives lived before us and a love of classic design.

We understand that finding the right piece may take time but the satisfaction of finding that unique item where the instinctive reaction is ‘want’ rather than ‘need’ is always well worth the wait. 

At Summerfield + Scott, we don’t believe in throwaway furniture. We believe in old pieces with new purpose. Character-rich, restored furniture that feels at home in both traditional and contemporary interiors.