top of page
Writer's pictureKelly Schupp

The Value of Upcycling

Updated: Aug 11, 2023


"In the February issue of Triangle Design and Decor, I had the opportunity to discuss furniture lacquering and upcycling. The article is below, hope you enjoy the read."

-Kelly






If there’s one thing we learned from the pandemic, it’s that supply chain chaos and inflation are not good for shippers who are trying to buy new reasonably priced furniture in a practical time frame. Homeowners began to consider upcycling readily available furniture, either inherited from family members, found in a local antique or consignment store, or sourced from Facebook Marketplace. At Rail & Stile, we breathe new life into vintage furniture through our professional lacquering process, and we see homeowners excited about rediscovering what has been right in front of them all along.


Unlike today’s disposable society, vintage and antique furniture was made to last. It often has good bones and a sturdy structure but needs a little TLC to make it shine in a modern home. Lacquering older furniture preserves its sentimentality and character while also personalizing it for your home. And repurposing furniture is simply a sustainable choice for our planet.


The cool thing about lacquering an older piece of furniture is that a color can be matched from sources like Sherwin-Williams paint samples, a fabric swatch, or even tiles. Lacquering is best done by experienced professionals using pre-catalyzed nitrocellulose lacquer appropriate for older furniture that has years of oil and dirt buildup. The professionals at Rail & Stile perform multiple stages of prep work and several layers of lacquer application to make an old piece look new again. When we custom lacquer a piece of furniture housed in our 10,000-square-foot showroom, or one that is brought to us by a customer, the result is a statement piece with a forever finish that provides long-lasting beauty.


Lacquered furniture is popular because of its smooth, glossy finish and its ability to stand up to the daily demands of family life. An eye-popping color in an ultra-sleek finish can take a functional piece of furniture from dated to charming. Complete the look with “jewelry” by re-lacquering the hardware, or choose new hardware from one of our suppliers.


Along with coordinating white-glove delivery directly to our customers’ homes, we provide additional services such as assisting customers in choosing furniture, paint color, hardware, and accessories like glass tops and refreshed upholstery.


Whether your style is Traditional, Neo-Classic, Hollywood Regency, Palm Beach Chic, Mid-century Modern, or Grandma Chic, you can’t go wrong with upcycling vintage or heirloom furniture. With infinite color and customization options, you’ll end up with a high-quality eye-catcher that will enhance your home’s decor.





Cheers,


Kelly Schupp

Co-Owner + Curator

Comentários


bottom of page