Great article & original topic. Excellent read & insight. And you’re the first I’ve seen make the correlation between the demographic and design opportunities. Thanks for the whip smart info.
I agree. Young people would rather have cheap and new than something that will last and not new. My mother had that issue trying to rehome some of her things. Lots of nieces and adult grands and no one wanted things. I took a few pieces of furniture and her old Kenmore sewing machine because I knew she was disappointed that no one wanted them. She was giving the stuff away too after my dad died and she moved.
As a so called young person I can tell you the main reason my generation (gen Z) doesn't want these things is because of the amount of space it takes up. I have a couple of smaller pieces that are nice solid wood - a cabinet here, a side table there. Unfortunately I don't have the space for a full set of nice china, unless I make them my daily dishes. Many young people have roommates too, who have their own furniture. I would love to have some nice chairs but because my roommate has a sofa and a chair, if my parents offered me a chair I wouldn't be able to take it.
I think that's a generalization. A lot of us millennials have young families now. We're strapped for cash. But we still want comfortable homes for our families. Give me the quality wooden furniture, the oriental rugs, the original artwork...
I am thinking of how much time it took to convince my stepson to keep his great grandparents trunk, the one that went through Ellis island. He did keep it and I think he values it a bit.
My stepson has a small steamer trunk. His grandparents used it for all their belongings, when they migrated from Poland. My husband held onto it, when my stepson was in his twenties, as he didn't value it. He does have it and can hopefully pass it on to his son.
Don't forget auctions! A couple of years ago, I bought an absolutely gorgeous French-style linen cabinet from Baker at a local auction for less than $200! It was in perfect condition and came out of the estate of the Orkin Pest Control founders. It cost me more to have it delivered than it did to buy. Shopping vintage is my favorite.
Thank you for this, I found it fascinating. Encouraging the Wayfair bunch to click refresh on Boomer items is better for the planet, too … this is something all generations value.
Omg that chair and ottoman is incredibleeee. I think you make such a good point—boomers buy QUALITY. What have you found is the best way to learn about local estate sales happening?
Second estatesales.net—we almost exclusively use that to plan our route around Atlanta. But we’ll also check garagesalefinder.com, Facebook Marketplace, and we keep a look out for signs as we’re driving. Once we find estate sale companies we like, we’ll often join their email list or follow their instagram etc. Hope you find all the treasures you’re looking for!
Taste is acquired through life experience and education. I know that no generation is monolithic; there will always be people who see and appreciate quality in every era, but it does seem that there is less attention these days to learning about art, architecture, and design. The general level of understanding and discernment is low, which is maybe why good stuff is passed over by inheriting generations? Or sometimes taste skips a generation--it's the grandkids who appreciate their grandparents' style, not the parents? At any rate, yes, there will continue to be a motherlode of quality furnishings coming onto the market, some of which you can truly say "they don't make 'em like that anymore." (Re: china, consolidation of companies and production that moved to Asia starting in the 1960s means a much more limited range--few consumer choices. The "old stuff" is truly wondrous and likely never to be seen again--literally hundreds of gorgeous patterns/colors in every style. But people buy plain white at Crate & Barrel instead. Oh well.)
My friend is a junk hauler and has a pickers store in WA, just this week he was paid 26000 to empty and haul away a house and XL storage container of a deceased boomer. The kids kept some coins, firearms and that was it. Didn't even look hard at the rest.
This tells me don't waste space, get rid of stuff you don't use or enjoy anymore, find someone who can use it.
I’ve been a professional organizer for 18 years. Your generation wants ikea built for them. I’ve had to dump beautiful things because there is no one to take them. The kids are living at home with their parents unable to afford rent and living with the furniture their parents bought for them. But i like your optimism.
What we need is a way to distribute furniture further than 20 miles for free. But there is no way since “shipping” is now insanely expensive.
Great piece. I’ve been wondering why so many have jumped on the whining bandwagon while simultaneously complaining about the environment, the price of things, the rampant ugly capitalism ! Come on! We have a lifetime of cool analog vinyl, classic books, original framed art, and well made furniture !!
Such an interesting read! As a millennial I get so giddy when I find secondhand pieces that fit well in my small-ish place (barrister bookcase, danish MCM bed frame and mirror, bench sofa). I think the physical footprint is also a huge factor - I’ve been devastated that some pieces are too large to fit in a small condo, they clearly were meant for homes that had a separate kitchen, dining, living room, a study, etc (not my open floor plan 😭).
This has made me reflect on why I’m drawn to pieces that look like they could have been handed down by grandparents - brass candlestick holders, alabaster bookends, etc. As a first gen immigrant, my elders’ furniture, decor, etc had to stay behind. So in a way searching secondhand is one vehicle to bring in the stories and character that I’ve been missing. Thank you for this thought-provoking read!
I am not sure if I get your point - are you saying people will want these things soon? If you are, I beg to differ - tried to sell many of the items you listed and no one wants them.
Great article & original topic. Excellent read & insight. And you’re the first I’ve seen make the correlation between the demographic and design opportunities. Thanks for the whip smart info.
Thank you that is so kind!
I have news for you. Those young people have no interest in any of it. Their parents offer them things and they can't bother to look at it.
I agree. Young people would rather have cheap and new than something that will last and not new. My mother had that issue trying to rehome some of her things. Lots of nieces and adult grands and no one wanted things. I took a few pieces of furniture and her old Kenmore sewing machine because I knew she was disappointed that no one wanted them. She was giving the stuff away too after my dad died and she moved.
Well this is literally why I do what I do! I am aiming to inspire younger generations to see the beauty in these older and better-made pieces :)
Millennial here. I'm right there with you.
As a so called young person I can tell you the main reason my generation (gen Z) doesn't want these things is because of the amount of space it takes up. I have a couple of smaller pieces that are nice solid wood - a cabinet here, a side table there. Unfortunately I don't have the space for a full set of nice china, unless I make them my daily dishes. Many young people have roommates too, who have their own furniture. I would love to have some nice chairs but because my roommate has a sofa and a chair, if my parents offered me a chair I wouldn't be able to take it.
I think that's a generalization. A lot of us millennials have young families now. We're strapped for cash. But we still want comfortable homes for our families. Give me the quality wooden furniture, the oriental rugs, the original artwork...
But yes, I'll skip the teacups.
Maybe if by "young" you mean 50. I want my grandparents' stuff, my mom doesn't.
I am thinking of how much time it took to convince my stepson to keep his great grandparents trunk, the one that went through Ellis island. He did keep it and I think he values it a bit.
My stepson has a small steamer trunk. His grandparents used it for all their belongings, when they migrated from Poland. My husband held onto it, when my stepson was in his twenties, as he didn't value it. He does have it and can hopefully pass it on to his son.
Don't forget auctions! A couple of years ago, I bought an absolutely gorgeous French-style linen cabinet from Baker at a local auction for less than $200! It was in perfect condition and came out of the estate of the Orkin Pest Control founders. It cost me more to have it delivered than it did to buy. Shopping vintage is my favorite.
Thank you for this, I found it fascinating. Encouraging the Wayfair bunch to click refresh on Boomer items is better for the planet, too … this is something all generations value.
Bring on the Golden Age…tho every day is a Golden Age for us✨✨✨✨
Such a helpful guide to thrifting treasures! Love using Framebridge to instantly elevate a vintage treasure or personal ephemera!
It's the best! They should pay me for how often I talk about them lol!
Saw this on Instagram and you are 100% right!
Hope so!!
Omg that chair and ottoman is incredibleeee. I think you make such a good point—boomers buy QUALITY. What have you found is the best way to learn about local estate sales happening?
estatesales.net! not sponsored, but that's the best tool IMO. also FB Marketplace (search "estate sales"
Second estatesales.net—we almost exclusively use that to plan our route around Atlanta. But we’ll also check garagesalefinder.com, Facebook Marketplace, and we keep a look out for signs as we’re driving. Once we find estate sale companies we like, we’ll often join their email list or follow their instagram etc. Hope you find all the treasures you’re looking for!
Taste is acquired through life experience and education. I know that no generation is monolithic; there will always be people who see and appreciate quality in every era, but it does seem that there is less attention these days to learning about art, architecture, and design. The general level of understanding and discernment is low, which is maybe why good stuff is passed over by inheriting generations? Or sometimes taste skips a generation--it's the grandkids who appreciate their grandparents' style, not the parents? At any rate, yes, there will continue to be a motherlode of quality furnishings coming onto the market, some of which you can truly say "they don't make 'em like that anymore." (Re: china, consolidation of companies and production that moved to Asia starting in the 1960s means a much more limited range--few consumer choices. The "old stuff" is truly wondrous and likely never to be seen again--literally hundreds of gorgeous patterns/colors in every style. But people buy plain white at Crate & Barrel instead. Oh well.)
My friend is a junk hauler and has a pickers store in WA, just this week he was paid 26000 to empty and haul away a house and XL storage container of a deceased boomer. The kids kept some coins, firearms and that was it. Didn't even look hard at the rest.
This tells me don't waste space, get rid of stuff you don't use or enjoy anymore, find someone who can use it.
I’ve been a professional organizer for 18 years. Your generation wants ikea built for them. I’ve had to dump beautiful things because there is no one to take them. The kids are living at home with their parents unable to afford rent and living with the furniture their parents bought for them. But i like your optimism.
What we need is a way to distribute furniture further than 20 miles for free. But there is no way since “shipping” is now insanely expensive.
Please visit Second Harvest Thrift Store in Dayton, Ohio! I cleaned out my Dad’s townhouse and donated 38 boxes of items! Thanks - Sam
Great piece. I’ve been wondering why so many have jumped on the whining bandwagon while simultaneously complaining about the environment, the price of things, the rampant ugly capitalism ! Come on! We have a lifetime of cool analog vinyl, classic books, original framed art, and well made furniture !!
Such an interesting read! As a millennial I get so giddy when I find secondhand pieces that fit well in my small-ish place (barrister bookcase, danish MCM bed frame and mirror, bench sofa). I think the physical footprint is also a huge factor - I’ve been devastated that some pieces are too large to fit in a small condo, they clearly were meant for homes that had a separate kitchen, dining, living room, a study, etc (not my open floor plan 😭).
This has made me reflect on why I’m drawn to pieces that look like they could have been handed down by grandparents - brass candlestick holders, alabaster bookends, etc. As a first gen immigrant, my elders’ furniture, decor, etc had to stay behind. So in a way searching secondhand is one vehicle to bring in the stories and character that I’ve been missing. Thank you for this thought-provoking read!
I am not sure if I get your point - are you saying people will want these things soon? If you are, I beg to differ - tried to sell many of the items you listed and no one wants them.
Yeah but young people don't want any of that stuff