If there is any benefit to this little "economic snafu" we are experiencing, it has to be the resurgence of frugality and conscious purchasing for ourselves and our homes. While it's easy to waltz into a store and pick out a brand spankin' new sofa and armchair, it's much more creative (not to mention environmentally friendly) to go the route of secondhand and vintage furniture. There is something delightful in knowing your furniture has had a past life, and typically this approach is easier on your wallet as well. Some items might need a little elbow grease or DIY attention by means of reupholstering or painting, from which the pride of ownership only grows. There is no better feeling than having someone ask where you got a fabulous little chair when your beaming-with-pride reply is, "Oh, that? It was $50 at a consignment store, and I just reworked it!"
Boston has a wide variety of shops where you can peruse secondhand and consignment furniture and accessories. Some are collections of investment pieces from the mid-century era, while others house gently worn castoffs from the area's high-end homes. Take some time to peruse these spots, and we think you'll be surprised at the fabulous finds and designer steals available right under your nose.
Garage Sale (55 Waltham Street, Boston, 617.482.7044) This South End favorite is chock full of furniture from the area's designer homes. Lines such as Baker, Thomasville, and Henredon have been spotted inside. Be sure to check out the original artwork on the walls if you have blank space to fill.
Metamorphosis and Eddie's Furniture (1693 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617.497.123395 and 95 Elm Street, Somerville, 617.666.1457) This pair of shops near Porter Square are a gold mine for already refurbished vintage furniture. Lively turquoise-painted wood dressers and armchairs upholstered in new bold-print fabric fill each corner. The work is done for you, so all you have to do is choose!
Boston Consignment (238 Highland Avenue, Needham, 781.449.0900) Take a drive out to Needham to visit this vast emporium of "only the good stuff from Grandma's attic." Expect a wide variety of styles and items from suburban Boston's finest residences - everything from vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases to faux-bamboo dining chair sets.
Reside (266 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, 617.547.2929) Tucked away in Cambridge's Huron Village, this shop is a mid-century addict's dream come true. Find beautiful furnishings by famed designers such as Charles and Ray Eames alongside sleek Danish wood case goods and 1970s chrome table lamps.
Boomerangs (766 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, 617.524.5120) We scored an incredible pair of 1950s wingback chairs here for a song! It'll take some patience and perhaps a couple visits, but you can find amazing steals at the JP outpost of this discount store.
Machine Age (645 Summer Street, South Boston, 617.464.0099) If you are looking for an original Saarinen Tulip table or a pair of leather Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs from yesteryear, look no further than this 9,000-square-foot warehouse. It has the largest collection of vintage modern furniture in New England.
