Most of my wardrobe consists of vintage stuff. I have shoes from the 40’s, two long trench jacket from the 50s and 70s. A bunch fo minidresses from the 60s etc etc. They are distinctive and quirky and I love them way better than a lot of clothes I have bought brand new.
Sure, but call them “vintage” or “classic”; it’s more politically correct. Someday you young whippersnappers, the stuff you grew up with will be considered highly desirable and collectable, but you, on the other hand are not.
Furniture is just one area where the typical items that have survived are “better” or at least obtainable. New items are inexpensive but unlikely to reach heirloom status - particle board and vinyl.
Some areas of human endeavour matured long ago so there is little or no advantage in buying new except for convenience. Others it doesn’t take long to understand why “new and improved” is better.
I like an eclectic mix of stuff. We have some very old pieces as well as modern and retro stuff. Our house was built in the late 1800s but our kitchen is modern. We have both classic and modern muscle cars. And we as a couple are 11 years apart in age. It’s all a nice mix.
I’ve got an old house with great woodwork and i’ve picked up an antique or two. I love Art Deco.
I went from a 1925 house to a 1920 house to an 1891 house… I couldn’t imagine living in anything new.
The other day we just discovered shutters that slide down into our windowsills that had been hidden for probably 100 years… We took them off, cleaned the dust and grime off of them, fixed the tracks and put them back… They look like they’re made of cherry or mahogany and work perfectly!
Somehow I don’t think new homes are going to offer any pleasant surprises in the future…
I was raised in homes that were over 100 years old. My current house was built in 1849. It’s been in the same family until I bought it at auction, and really very little has been done to it, besides indoor plumbing. No central heat & air, just a couple of propane heaters. No dishwasher. No insulation, although I’m remedying that. It’s not very comfortable, but that’s not all that important too me. I have 14 acres. I have a house with 12’ ceilings and four fireplaces. The walls are beadboard, the ceilings and floors are wood, too (I life in fear of fire). In my kitchen I have an old hoosier (kitchen work center with bins for flour and sugar, etc. Much of my furniture is antique. It’s what suits me.
AuntiePam - Now that’s tragic. Couldn’t someone move it and make it into a shop or a home?
StG
I live in a 1923 house and I hate it! the windows are too small, the bathroom is too small, and the whole layout of the place stinks. I’d much rather a modern home-something by Frank lloyd Wright would suit me. mainly, i like big windows. As for other stuff, I’m pretty retro-but retro to me is early 1950’s!
fishbicycle, I checked the back label, it is a Victor Co of Japan model 219. No year is decirnable on the outside, I’m packing to move and don’t want to take it to the fixit shop until May, then I’ll find out more.