A while ago I was helping a family member reorganise their dining room, and it made me realise how difficult it is to find furniture that actually gets better with age. Most modern sideboards and buffets look great for a few years, but they rarely develop any real character.
That got me looking at reclaimed elm furniture, especially older buffets. I came across this collection while browsing:
https://the-byron.com.au/collections/elm-buffets
What I like is that every piece has slightly different grain, texture, and signs of previous use. Instead of trying to hide imperfections, they become part of the overall look. It feels much more authentic than buying something that's been artificially distressed in a factory.
I also like that a buffet is one of those pieces that stays useful no matter how your home changes. It can store dinnerware in a dining room, books in a living room, or even work as a hallway cabinet.
I'm curious what others prefer. If you were choosing between a reclaimed elm buffet with plenty of natural character and a brand-new modern cabinet, which would you go for? Do you see older furniture as something practical for everyday use, or mainly as a statement piece?