Vintage view:Old furniture

This is an exciting area for refreshing your home spaces for half nothing, but, where up-cycling collides with antique and worthy vintage, proceed with caution.

There’s nothing offensive in putting a smug smile of emulsion on an orphaned Victorian balloon back, but it is horrifying to see a good Danish mid-century sideboard slapped in startling harlequin colours and proudly up for re-sale.

Review the furniture before gifting it that new look. There are late 19th century to brand new pieces gaining ground as collectibles, already beautifully composed and finished. If you’re not sure, take advice.