Upcycled Furniture FAQs
Have questions about upcycled vintage furniture?
Buying a unique piece of upcycled vintage furniture can come with a few questions, especially when every piece has its own history and character.
Here you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about buying from Rediscovered By Danielle, including furniture delivery, commissions, finishes, care and what to expect when choosing a vintage piece for your home.
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please get in touch and I'll be happy to help.
WHAT IS UPCYCLED FURNITURE?
Upcycled furniture is pre-loved furniture that has been given a new lease of life rather than being thrown away or replaced. It can be restored, repaired, refinished or hand-painted to create a beautiful piece that works perfectly in a modern home while retaining the character and craftsmanship of the original furniture.
At Rediscovered By Danielle, I carefully select vintage pieces for their quality, character and potential before transforming them at my workshop in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Wherever possible, I preserve original details and signs of the furniture's history, creating unique upcycled vintage furniture that celebrates the past while being ready for a new chapter in your home.
WHY SHOULD I BUY UPCYCLED VINTAGE FURNITURE?
Choosing upcycled vintage furniture means bringing something truly unique into your home. Unlike mass-produced furniture, every vintage piece has its own character, history and individual details, so you're unlikely to find another exactly like it.
Vintage furniture was also often made using quality materials and traditional craftsmanship. By carefully restoring and upcycling these pieces, we can preserve that quality while giving the furniture a fresh, contemporary look that works beautifully in a modern home.
It's also a more sustainable way to furnish your home. Giving existing furniture a new lease of life helps reduce waste and keeps beautiful, well-made pieces in use rather than sending them to landfill.
At Rediscovered By Danielle, each piece is individually selected and thoughtfully transformed, allowing you to choose furniture that's full of personality, beautifully finished and ready to become part of your home's story.
CAN I COMMISSION YOU TO UPCYCLE MY OWN FURNITURE?
Yes. If you already own a piece of furniture that you'd love to give a new lease of life, I offer a bespoke furniture upcycling service from my workshop in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
We can discuss the piece you have, the look you'd like to achieve and your ideas for colours and finishes. I'll work with the existing character and features of your furniture to create a design that complements both the piece and your home.
If you're considering a commission, get in touch with some photographs and details of your furniture and we can discuss what's possible.
If you don't already have the right piece, I can also offer a furniture sourcing service to help find something suitable for your project.
HOW MUCH DOES UPCYCLED FURNITURE COST?
The cost of upcycled furniture varies depending on the individual piece, its size, age and condition, as well as the amount of restoration and work required to transform it.
Every piece at Rediscovered By Danielle is individually selected and carefully restored or refinished at my workshop in Lichfield. The price reflects not only the original furniture, but also the time, materials, preparation and craftsmanship that go into giving it a new lease of life.
Unlike mass-produced furniture, each piece is unique, with its own history, character and original features. Some pieces may require extensive preparation and repairs before the transformation even begins, while others may be carefully refinished to preserve their original wood and details.
Prices are clearly displayed on the individual product listings, so you can browse the current collection and find a piece that suits both your home and your budget. For bespoke commissions, pricing will depend on the furniture and the finish required, and this will be discussed with you before work begins.
DO YOU DELIVER UPCYCLED FURNITURE ACROSS THE UK?
Collection from Lichfield, Staffordshire is the standard option for furniture purchased from Rediscovered By Danielle.
I don't routinely offer a furniture delivery service, but if you're unable to collect your piece, please get in touch. I may be able to arrange a quote from a furniture courier depending on your location and the item you've purchased.
You're also very welcome to arrange your own trusted courier to collect the furniture from me in Lichfield.
As courier prices can vary depending on the size of the furniture, delivery location and current transport costs, any courier charges will be quoted individually rather than included as a standard delivery fee.
CAN I COLLECT MY FURNITURE FROM LICHFIELD?
Yes. All furniture purchased from Rediscovered By Danielle is available for collection from Lichfield, Staffordshire.
We'll arrange a convenient collection time once your purchase is ready. As many vintage furniture pieces can be large or heavy, please make sure you have a suitable vehicle and enough space to transport your furniture safely.
If collection isn't possible, please get in touch. Although I don't routinely offer a delivery service, I may be able to arrange a quote from a furniture courier, or you're welcome to arrange your own courier to collect on your behalf.
WHAT PAINT AND FINISHES DO YOU USE?
I use high-quality furniture paints and finishes that are specifically chosen to suit each individual piece of vintage furniture. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, as every piece has a different history, surface and character.
Before deciding on a finish, I consider the style and condition of the furniture, its original features and how I can enhance its character rather than simply cover it up. Some pieces are completely transformed with a contemporary hand-painted finish, while others may have areas of natural wood retained or restored to celebrate the original grain and craftsmanship.
Careful preparation is just as important as the paint itself. Each piece is properly prepared before painting or refinishing, and appropriate protective finishes are used where needed to help create a beautiful, durable result that's suitable for everyday use.
Colours and finishes are selected to complement the individual piece and give vintage furniture a fresh look without losing the details that make it special.
For commissioned furniture, I'm happy to discuss colour and finish options with you so we can create a piece that complements your home and personal style.
CAN I VIEW FURNITURE BEFORE BUYING?
Absolutely. In fact, I always prefer customers to come and see a piece in person before buying whenever possible.
Viewing the furniture gives you the opportunity to appreciate its colour, finish, size, character and original details properly before deciding whether it's right for your home. As every piece of upcycled vintage furniture is unique, seeing it in person can be particularly helpful.
Furniture can be viewed at Rediscovered By Danielle in Lichfield, Staffordshire, by prior arrangement. Please get in touch to arrange a convenient time to visit.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
We accept returns within 14 days of delivery, if you commission a piece unfortunately we're unable to accept returns, but will work with you to ensure your complete satisfaction with your new furniture.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO UPCYCLE VINTAGE FURNITURE?
The time it takes to upcycle vintage furniture varies from piece to piece. Every item is different, and the amount of work required depends on its age, condition, size and the finish I want to achieve.
Before any transformation begins, the furniture needs to be carefully inspected and prepared. This can involve cleaning, removing old finishes, sanding and carrying out any necessary repairs. From there, the piece may be hand-painted, refinished or restored, with time allowed between each stage to achieve a high-quality, durable finish.
Some pieces can be completed relatively quickly, while larger pieces or furniture requiring more extensive restoration can take considerably longer. I never rush the process simply to get a piece finished – it's important to give each stage the time and attention it needs.
For commissioned upcycled furniture, I'll discuss the expected timescale with you before work begins and keep you informed throughout the process.
At Rediscovered By Danielle, the aim is always to create a beautifully finished piece of vintage furniture that's ready to be enjoyed for many more years.
CAN YOU SOURCE A PIECE OF FURNITURE FOR ME?
Yes. If you have a particular type or style of furniture in mind but don't already own a suitable piece, I can offer a furniture sourcing service.
Let me know what you're looking for, such as a chest of drawers, sideboard, bedside tables or another piece of vintage furniture, along with an idea of the size, style and look you'd like to achieve.
I can then help source a suitable vintage piece that can be restored, refinished or upcycled to complement your home and personal style.
As vintage furniture is unique, finding the right piece can take time, but I'll discuss your requirements, budget and likely timescale with you before we begin.
WHAT CONDITION SHOULD I EXPECT VINTAGE FURNITURE TO BE IN?
Vintage furniture has already had a life before it arrives at Rediscovered By Danielle, so you may find signs of its age and previous use.
Each piece is carefully inspected and prepared before being restored, refinished or upcycled. However, small marks, variations in the wood and other signs of age may remain. I see these as part of the character and history that make vintage furniture so special rather than something that always needs to be hidden.
Where possible, I also preserve interesting original details such as makers' marks, labels and other features that tell part of the furniture's story.
Any significant features or imperfections that you should be aware of will be shown or described before you buy, and you're always welcome to arrange to view a piece in person at Rediscovered By Danielle in Lichfield.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY UPCYCLED FURNITURE?
A little care will help keep your upcycled furniture looking beautiful for years to come.
For everyday cleaning, gently dust your furniture with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products that could damage the painted or refinished surface.
It's also best to wipe up spills promptly and use coasters, placemats or protective mats where appropriate, particularly on surfaces that are used regularly. Avoid placing very hot items directly onto the furniture.
As each vintage piece can have a different finish, I'm always happy to advise you on the best way to care for the particular piece you've purchased from Rediscovered By Danielle.