Samantha Teague Interiors sitting room with chair

Incorporating pre-loved and lived items into your home adds a wonderful layer of authenticity and history. It can also be nice for the bank balance and helps tackle wasteful practices that are harming our planet. You can create a very interesting interior by using pre-loved pieces.

Shopping for pre loved pieces actually give me a sense of excitement because you don’t know what you’ll come across. Then you find a way of working it into a scheme or how it will place into the property. It also means the scheme is totally unique to your home, which again is really special!

My tips are:

Measure! If you’re shopping for a specific space, measure carefully and take your tape measure with you too.
Condition – expertly restored items and pieces in perfect condition will have a price tag to match. If it doesn’t, consider what is lowering the price.
Know your style and colour preferences. Things don’t have to match, but they should be cohesive. That said, if the piece is stand-out and you love it, that can also be made to work.
Keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace, it is incredible what you can unearth if you keep a look out and an open mind.

Where to shop pre-loved interiors like an interior designer

There are a few places in Cornwall that have some amazing pieces for interiors and exteriors.

Victoria’s Antiques, Wadebridge

Victoria’s has been trading for around 50 years in Cornwall and is a must-visit. They will arrange delivery anywhere in the mainland UK, not just Cornwall.

Treasure Antiques, St Agnes

Treasure Antiques opened in 2024. The former Victorian train station is home to 800 square feet of antique showrooms.

Shiver me Timbers, Penzance

This place is incredible! All sorts of weird and wonderful pieces. I can spend hours here.

Stax Reclamation, Saltash

Over near Plymouth, this is always on my list to go and visit when I’m nearby. With both inside and outside areas, give yourself enough time for a trip. Closed Mondays.

Fresh-thinking and personal, Samantha Teague creates uplifting and joyful interiors for anyone wanting to upgrade their home, no matter style or budget. She offers consultation design time or can help with a full scheme.

samanthateagueinteriors.com

Secondhand September: creating interiors using pre-loved pieces

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