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Collection by Katie Thompson

Tips for Preserving Iconic Modern Furniture Designs

Purchasing a classic modern design piece is an investment. While classics are given this title for their timelessness, unfortunately age and wear can cause damage and decrease the value of even the most well-built designs. These tips will help you preserve your investment and care for your beloved pieces, whether purchased new or vintage.

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Plastics tend to harden, become brittle, and discolor over time. Protect your new Panton chair by keeping it out of direct light, or cover it with a drop cloth when not in use.
Plastics tend to harden, become brittle, and discolor over time. Protect your new Panton chair by keeping it out of direct light, or cover it with a drop cloth when not in use.
Keep an eye on the adhesive areas of your piece. As time passes, they can weaken and compromise the structural integrity of the design. While this technology was originally revolutionary for it’s time, this tends to happen in vintage Eames lounge chairs, as seen in this photo.
Keep an eye on the adhesive areas of your piece. As time passes, they can weaken and compromise the structural integrity of the design. While this technology was originally revolutionary for it’s time, this tends to happen in vintage Eames lounge chairs, as seen in this photo.
The built-in sofa was designed by CCS Architecture and fabricated by San Francisco-based Kroll Furniture. Barbara Vickroy, CCS's interior designer, picked the fabrics and furnishings in the home. In the foreground is an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair.
The built-in sofa was designed by CCS Architecture and fabricated by San Francisco-based Kroll Furniture. Barbara Vickroy, CCS's interior designer, picked the fabrics and furnishings in the home. In the foreground is an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair.
Don’t go DIY with your repairs. If something happens to your piece, take it to a restoration professional. While fixing it yourself may save you money and time, in the long run it can cause irreparable damage to your furniture and decrease it’s value. Pictured is a failed DIY repair with an orange bonding agent on a vintage Eames lounge.
Don’t go DIY with your repairs. If something happens to your piece, take it to a restoration professional. While fixing it yourself may save you money and time, in the long run it can cause irreparable damage to your furniture and decrease it’s value. Pictured is a failed DIY repair with an orange bonding agent on a vintage Eames lounge.
Keep the manufacturer’s label on and avoid refinishing. Keeping the production label on your piece will help quickly identify the age and value later on. Refinishing can damage labels and also significantly decrease the value of your piece.
Keep the manufacturer’s label on and avoid refinishing. Keeping the production label on your piece will help quickly identify the age and value later on. Refinishing can damage labels and also significantly decrease the value of your piece.