Vintage and Antiques: The antidote to fast furniture and its impact on landfill

When we began Watertiger some 20 years ago, we set out to discover and curate vintage and antique furniture and homewares for their beauty, their stories, and the pleasure they bring into our lives.
 
But we were also conscious that by focusing on ancient, artisan-crafted pieces, we were not only investing in pieces made to last lifetimes, but we were also discovering pieces worth investing in over newer, disposable furniture. Something that’s become more relevant as we consciously make better decisions for our planet.
 
While that wasn’t our sole purpose to start, it’s a fundamental part of Watertiger’s ethos: Rescuing, repurposing, and preserving stunning pieces with minimal negative impact on our world.

 

 

The beauty of “slow” furniture

In a recent Vogue Living article on 7 Décor Trends That Won’t Last the Years, one trend called out was that of Fast furniture—throwaway items, with a limited life span, that aren’t all that ethical. We couldn’t agree more. But also consider that, along with it being an environmentally friendly decision, it’s also about discovery and creativity: the quest to find that perfect piece—often a one-of-its-kind—is as much a part of the experience as the statement you make.

Repurpose, up-cycle, revitalise—you decide

One of the things we love about working with vintage and antiques, is that most of the pieces are naturally up-cycled or repurposed, to give it new life. What was once an item used in daily life becomes a piece of art. Or what was once something ceremonial becomes an object for daily use. This is part of the discovery and creativity: you can decide how to use them, and it doesn’t have to follow any formula or catalogue.

 

Completely one-of-a-kind

 
Because these items were not mass manufactured, and each was hand crafted by artisans of that time, there’s no chance you’ll find two exactly alike. In fact, a large part of the allure is that they’re not—each cut, carving, and detail varies from the last. We’re completely against trends that make every space look the same. Instead, we’re about personal, individual style—pieces that are as unique as the people who invest in them.

 

Quality that’s never out of style

 
Vintage items simply don’t compare to modern designs—they never really go out of style and are always in demand. That’s why many fast furniture manufacturers try to replicate them on mass, and on the cheap. And that’s part of the problem, because they’re not made with quality, and certainly not built to last, and bound to end up in landfill. With vintage, they’ll continue last for time to come, and hold their value. 

 

They have a story to tell

If they could speak, imagine all the stories that vintage and antique pieces could tell. And your story becomes part of it too. It’s what makes them statement pieces that are talked about—it’s origin, the culture of its time, the people who made and used them, and why. And they’ll keep picking up stories as they are passed on down through generations.

That’s the beauty of slow furniture. It allows us to be surrounded by beauty and artistry, while doing the environment a huge favour by lessening the landfill problem. And that’s a worthy investment.