Young Adults Embrace Vintage Furniture for Unique Home Styles

A growing number of young adults are turning to vintage furniture as a way to infuse their homes with unique character, according to antique dealer Julie Parte, who operates the Potting Shed in Clogherhead, Co Louth. Over the past four years, her collection of antique and vintage homewares has attracted an increasingly younger clientele. “More young people, especially in recent years, are starting to appreciate well-made furniture and having that one unique piece in their home that no one else will have,” Parte stated.

This trend reflects a broader shift in preferences, where the allure of shiny, new items has given way to the charm of older, distinctive pieces. Parte’s passion for antiques began in her youth, when she held jumble sales, even joking about having to buy back items she sold. “Now I eat, sleep and breathe antiques and vintage pieces. Social media has been my shop window,” she added.

Health Challenges and a Passion for Antiques

Parte’s enthusiasm for vintage items serves as a welcome distraction from her health challenges. Diagnosed in 1998 with ten brain tumours due to the genetic condition neurofibromatosis, she has undergone significant medical treatment, including the removal of a large mass. Despite ongoing concerns, she notes that the smaller growths appear stable. “It was only when I got into vintage that the tumours took a back seat in my mind,” she explained.

Her business has not only provided a creative outlet but also connected her with customers from “all over Ireland and abroad.” Parte travels extensively across the UK and France to source antique pieces, including lamps, mirrors, rugs, and small cabinets that resonate with modern aesthetics. The increasing interest from younger buyers has pleasantly surprised her. “I’m delighted that young people are getting into it. I love their faces when I tell them a table might be 100 years old. They are gobsmacked,” she noted.

One such young customer is Rose Scanlan, who resides in Killaloe, Co Clare. At just 23 years old, she has already made several purchases from Parte, including a saddle from 1918 and an apron and coat from 1932. “I’m kind of fond of old things,” she remarked, noting that vintage pieces bring “more character” to a room compared to contemporary items.

Creating Unique Spaces with Vintage Finds

Another enthusiastic buyer, Alice Murphy, also 23, has transformed her work cabin in Clogherhead using vintage items. She proudly displays a unique mirror purchased from Parte, which has garnered compliments from her clients. “I’d buy things from Shein too, but this mirror is something else, and everyone who sees it just loves it,” she said.

For Aedín Cosgrove, 32, who now lives in Drogheda, Co Louth, vintage furniture represents “investment pieces.” Having grown up surrounded by antiques, she associates them with nostalgia and warmth. Cosgrove and her wife have acquired various items from The Potting Shed, including a 200-year-old dining table. “I would rather spend a little more now and have it forever than spend little and have to replace it in a few years,” she explained.

The appeal of vintage furniture extends beyond aesthetics to sustainability, as noted by John Williams, 49, a customer from Borrisokane, Co Tipperary. He appreciates the “old-world style and furniture” and believes that each piece possesses a unique vibe. “Buying vintage is sustainability on top of sustainability. Each piece has its own vibe and brings a room to life,” he said.

Parte has observed that many of her sales now originate from online interest, which has broadened her reach and visibility. She believes that social media platforms, particularly Instagram, have played a significant role in making antiques appealing to younger generations. “People are now more interested in vintage items than fine antiques. It’s almost like we are in the fashion business,” she remarked.

As more young people embrace vintage furniture, the trend signifies a shift towards valuing individuality and history in home decor. With a passion for sustainability and a desire for unique statement pieces, this generation is redefining what it means to create a cozy, personalized living space.