Rule 1:
Know what you want: sounds straight forward but I have lost
count of the times I have intended on hunting down a wooden ladder, a 70’s lamp
or a bunch of beakers, only to come away with the kitschiest porcelain
rendition of the Virgin-Mary-come-dust-collector. It may look awesome in store,
and be a weekend ‘bargain’ but it is only going to clutter up your life! Stay
ruthless.
Rule 2:
Know your space: take a tape measure. Yes, the 1950’s Blackwood
drinks cabinet is amazing, but will it fit in your tiny weeny inner Sydney
apartment? And, if you can (miraculously) manoeuvre it up five flights of
stairs and puzzle piece it into your one empty corner, will it trump over all
your other furniture? Measure your space to be filled, then (properly!) measure
your lust new wares.
Rule 3:
Is it funky: not the disco kind. Be aware that mould, smoke
and general moth-ball-living-in-a-dark-dewy-closet smells can actively linger –
in your nose. You’re going to have to get in there and sniff it. There are
methods of removing and/or disguising an array of mildewy smells (Google it)
but you need to determine whether you can live with it and whether it is worth
the effort.
Rule 4:
Is it LOVE? Then get it! Or someone else will.
[images pinterest sourced]