Who needs Ikea? Tim Pritchard hits the second-hand furniture shops to find out how to bag a stylish bargain and save the planet at the same time.

If you’re looking to freshen up your living space then why not go vintage? Be it a 1950s sideboard nestled in your bedroom or an art-deco coffee table serving as a focal point in your living room, vintage items often remain popular decades after the pieces were originally conceived.

”Single armchairs, table lamps and light fixtures are very popular,” according to Pan Tang from Out of Stock, a vintage shop located within the trendy area around Gough Street. “People come to the shop looking for an original piece that will stand out in their home,” he adds. Although small, the shop is packed with colorful and interesting items, both vintage and modern pieces in vintage styles.


Chen Mi Ji stocks furniture which is second-hand and mostly dates back to the 1950s and 60s, according to owner Mike Chan. His shop displays an array of retro chairs and homely coffee tables as well as a wall of clocks that seem to gaze upon you as you check out the old radios and other vintage paraphernalia dotted around the shop. Once or twice a year he makes a trip to Europe to buy new items, choosing to stay away from tourist spots, preferring to venture into flea markets and shops in side alleys. Among his collection are chairs by renowned designer Charles Eames, now worth several times their original value—but Mike says he won’t part with them because they are the centerpiece of his collection.

For some people in Hong Kong, there is a high value placed on buying all the latest designer furniture, and many still find it hard to overcome the stigma of owning second-hand goods.

But buying vintage furniture doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. “Well-made furniture stands the test of time and we want people to be able to say this looks like new,” says Richard Bowsie of 2nd Chance, a company that buys and sells second-hand furnishings. Often, if you find a well-crafted piece it will be decades old, some having outlived their previous owners, so it makes a great investment and can be treasured by the next generation of owners. From humble beginnings in a 700-square-foot flat in Sham Tseng, husband and wife Richard and Mavis Bowsie now operate a 5,000 square foot furniture showroom. “Quality furniture speaks for itself and we’ve seen our business grow largely by word of mouth, as customers refer their friends to us,” says Mavis. They often buy furniture from expats who are moving out of Hong Kong, or renovating and want to clear out the existing furniture. “Often people have lived in homes for over 20 years so you end up with some interesting pieces from all over the world,” says Richard.

If the furniture has suffered damage they restore it in the workshop. “We bought one table which was covered in stains caused by coffee mugs and wine glasses. We sanded it down and applied a new coating of varnish and it looked as good as new.” The range of furniture they have is immense. “Unlike most shops which hold the same stock for four or five months, we get new pieces every three or four days, so there is always something new coming in,” Mavis says.

As well as owning a timeless piece of furniture, buying vintage and second-hand pieces contributes toward the “circular economy,” of course. You’re helping the environment by taking items destined for landfill sites out of the waste cycle. So, as well as adopting vintage chic, you’re racking up good karma and helping create a greener world.

So if you’re convinced to get some vintage and second-hand furnishings, check out the shops below.
 
Chen Mi Ji
All the furniture in this quaint little shop is second-hand and beautifully well-maintained. Owner Mike Chan is usually on hand to have a chat and will gladly talk to you about the history of his furniture and offer advice.
4 Sun St., Wan Chai, 2549-8800, www.chenmiji.com

Flea + Cents
Expect quirky pieces from armchairs to tableware, radios to photo frames. Many are genuine vintages but some are vintage reproductions. The smaller pieces also make fun and original presents.
1/F, Kar Yau Building, 34-38 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai, 2528-0808, www.fleancents.com

2nd Chance Co.
There is loads of second-hand furniture on display in this industrial estate-turned-showroom in Yuen Long. Why not make a day of it and swing by Gold Coast for lunch? They stock many items from Tequila Kola and Shambala at discount prices, as well as modern and vintage pieces. They will deliver and install any purchase over $1,000 free of charge. They also collect furniture and you can get a quote via email.
Unit 14, 2/F, Kin Fat Industrial Centre, 13 Kin Fat St., Tuen Mun, 2496-1222, www.2ndchance.com.hk

Vintage HK
Found on the intersection of Hollywood Road and Peel Street, this is another fun little shop that blends old and new vintage chic. All the light fixtures are original vintage and you’ll also find some old 18mm cameras, retro TV sets and plenty of clothes and accessories.
57-59 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2545-9932

Out of Stock
With many vintage light fixtures, table lamps and smaller pieces, Out of Stock is fully loaded with goodies. This quirky shop is worth seeking out for their colourful collection of true vintage and modern vintage pieces.
Shop B, 12 On Wo Lane, Central, 2369-6008, www.outofstock.com.hk