We are sometimes asked to work with existing items in a client’s home as part of a new design. As an experienced designer, it’s become clear to me when this is an option and when my advice is to start fresh.
If you are after a new look then bringing a lot of what you already have to the party doesn’t typically set things up for success. However, it is always nice to incorporate quality pieces that fit with the desired look-and-feel for the finished project and that create a link to the history of the family or home.
I’ve been asked to create an entirely new space, but to reuse all the existing furniture and not to paint. Unfortunately, that will not result in an entirely new space. As the saying goes, if you want to bake a cake, you’ll have to break a few eggs.
However, if a client is open to relocating, updating, or modifying a piece then it is often possible to find a new home or purpose for it. A caveat is that it is sometimes as costly as purchasing a new item so there are several factors to weigh.
One of the first things I will assess is the structure and lines of the item for their fit with the stated goal for the finished home. It is also important to review the materials an item is crafted with and how they might respond to “re-imagining work”. Are they solid enough to warrant the effort required? Then we consider the colour and scale relative to other items that will be part of the new design plan.
Once I know the background on the request, it is possible to develop ideas around how something might fit into a new space. Maybe we can salvage some of the fabric and incorporate it somewhere in the new design, or update the upholstery on a piece. I’ve had metal tables powder-coated to fit a new colour scheme, re-finished furniture pieces with new upholstery and details and reframed art to better fit a specific design style.
What pieces in your home are you most committed to keeping?
