1132 4th Street, Estevan, SK
Business Hours
Wednesday- Saturday
12pm-5pm
Sunday
Closed
Monday- Tuesday
Appointment Only
Welcome to Jewels and Jems Furniture Redesigns! We specialize in unique vintage and upcycled furnishings and design options to restore life into pieces ready for a second chance.
Open at our new location 1132 4th Street
I did some thrift store furniture shopping this weekend and it got me thinking how hard it is to find quality, solid wood pieces. Most things I found were cheap, pressboard, plywood, glued together “fast furniture” and if they were of any solid quality, they were in need of a lot of refinishing and the price (second hand UNFINISHED) was outrageous! I mean just because its “vintage” does not mean it’s worth 3X the amount it would have originally cost! What condition is the wood? The fabric? If repairs are needed, how much physical labour, supplies, time would that entail? ….If its refinished, how much more value can I flip the piece for while still making a profit AND add to the overall appearance and quality? The margins get very small.
Every year 12 million tons of furniture and home furnishings get thrown out!! That number is also increasing every year, but it wasn’t always like this… 60 years ago only about 2 million tons of furniture and furnishings was thrown away. Why such a difference?? Quality!!! It's things like the chair that’s missing a leg or items with cosmetic damage to them. That’s because it’s just not built to last and are intended for a short life span.
It is usually new furniture that’s being tossed out. Most new furniture is not made in Canada or even North America and new furniture is not solid wood or customizable. Buying new will always be more expensive than refinished pieces. Just last year Canada imposed tariffs up to 295% on imported upholstered furniture from countries like China and Vietnam!!
Part of the problem is that todays “fast furniture” can be more challenging to repair because of its material. It’s fairly easy to sand and refinish a solid hardwood wardrobe, but something like a particleboard nightstand with a laminate finish is trickier to refinish- if not impossible- when the surface is damaged. Usually if a coffee table gets dinged up, its easier to ADD TO Cart on Amazon or Wayfair, than to fix the one you have but these quick finds and cheap pieces aren’t meant to last a lifetime.
So next time you are looking for furniture, look for pieces that can grow with your family and lifestyle and pieces that serve a purpose. Really invest in materials that are going to last, like hardwoods! Buy an older piece you love and refinish it! Or find a local refinisher like myself! There are so many options don’t let ADD TO CART be one!
Happy Thrifting,
DK
Have you been thinking about updating that piece of furniture? I would love to do this for you. Send a message to info@jewelsandjemsfurnitureredesigns.com with a picture of the item, dimensions and what you would like to have done to it. I will get back to you the same day with a quote. If you decide to go forward once you receive your quote, I require half of the balance up front and the other half due upon pick up. Current turnaround time is 3-4 weeks.
Jewels and Jems Furniture Redesigns can help you earn money from old items you no longer want. Downsizing has never been so easy! I will pay for gently used, high quality goods and will only accept pre-owned items in good condition. Contact me for more details!
1132 4th Street, Estevan, SK
Business Hours
Wednesday- Saturday
12pm-5pm
Sunday
Closed
Monday- Tuesday
Appointment Only