Timeless furnishings

Revamping pieces can save money and open door to one-of-a-kind style.

Inheriting a piece of furniture can be a blessing or a curse. If it’s a vintage, Mid-century Modern Eames Saarinen chair —and you are into that style and era — get out the martini shakers and toast to your good fortune. But if you’ve been bequeathed a Louis XV reproduction settee and everything you own is contemporary, the free furniture might end up living a life of exile in the garage.

But those who are willing to put a little time, effort and money into revamping a piece may be rewarded.

Imagine that reproduction Louis XV chair with a high-gloss, ebony or white finish and upholstered in a modern damask featuring bright pink and white or a fresh, contemporary polka-dot pat- tern in a hot hue.

“We started revamping and repurposing furniture about four years ago as newlyweds,” says Allison Guenther, who with her husband, Ben Guenther, owns Haus of Antiquities & Other Curiosities in New Braunfels, Texas. “We had a shoestring budget, yet we desired a certain vibe for our new home. Years later, we put our love of art and design to test and opened our shop.”

Revamping a piece is not only a way to save money, but it also opens the door to endless possibilities and one-of-a-kind style, Guenther says.

“You just have to decide what look you are after and go with it,” Guenther says. “We happen to think that every home needs some whimsy and a pop of color.”

A few things should be considered when you are deciding whether or not to revamp a piece. First, does it have provenance? If you aren’t sure of the

HAUS OF ANTIQUITIES & OTHER CURIOSITIES Allison Guenther of Haus of Antiquities & Other Curiosities in New Braunfels, Texas, says for painted pieces they use about six coats of industrial paints in a high gloss finish. This includes a tinted primer and clear coat protector.