If there is one thing you should know about me – it is that I only want to buy something once. Now let’s unpack what I mean by that. We live in a fast fashion and consumer heavy world that has placed such an importance on buying what is “hot” in the moment – and likely will not be in the next. What this has also led to is a downturn in true quality of pieces that are being currently manufactured – because their life is expected to be shorter. This leads to pieces of quality being marked up to a premium. So, if I am going out of my way to buy something or recommend something it is going to be something that I only have to buy once, something that can be coveted for its longevity and craftsmanship. That is why I love antiques so much, before you even touch them, they have been used and have served their purpose (in my case roughly two centuries). Most of the time they are begging for more or can be repaired to last many more centuries as well. At the end of the day we are all caretakers, of this earth, of our possessions, and so on. So at the end of my life all of the possessions that I have lived with and curated – will go on and have third and fourth and fifth lives after me – I was one of many owners for many of my pieces. For example the glassware I use almost daily was my great grandmothers (this goes into a much longer story for another post), and she used it daily, then my father got some of the pieces and now I have them and use them daily. Instead of her using something cheaper which would have broken with regular use, she invested in something that would last generations. Here I am 6o years later slowly buying matching pieces to add to her collection. I feel like there may be a misnomer that this is some expensive, and hard to do endeavor – but its’ pretty easy and affordable to do. I started with only four water goblets from her – and I slowly buy pieces as I find them; and only when the price is right. There are always people out there asking ridiculous amounts of money for pieces.
Rule #646: only look and never buy from 1stdibs.com
Sites like 1stdibs and replacements.com cater to a specific breed of buyer, there is never a need to buy from them – they are good for research and inspiration only. They look for the buyer that needs a very specific item, therefore they can charge a hefty premium. Look at Michael Bruno’s mansions and chateaus… you do not want him as a middleman on your purchase. Ok – back to buying things once, I can get lost on tangents. When you buy something of quality and craftsmanship you become a caretaker of it, not an owner. You care for it and it provides you with its usefulness. It will last you your entire life, and if you ever tired of it you could always sell it relatively at the cost you purchased it – or better yet turn a profit from it. Now compare that to the wayfair dresser you just bought – that will never be worth more than when you bought it. It probably wont look at good either. Compare that to an antique dresser, which would last your lifetime and likely the value would stay consistent. I’m not condemning modern furniture, it has just become harder to find pieces to steward over.
I hope this was helpful.
Best,
Eli