Would You Buy Old Hotel Furniture?

August 8, 2008 at 9:30 AM | by Jenna | 3 Comments

We were surfing around ApartmentTherapy looking for some decorating ideas when we came across a post about someone who had scored some old chairs from D.C.'s original Madison Hotel -- and we got to thinking: would we really want some hotels old pre-renovation castoffs in our homes?

This person did -- and so did their cats -- but the AT commenters had some pretty interesting sentiments to share about the idea of looting a hotel that's looking to get rid of their old fixtures.

The verdict? Looks like "eh, depends on the hotel."

User bepsf said:

I love those chairs - I'd have no problem having them in my home.

Furniture from the better hotels are much better built than anything you could get for the same money at IKEA. I'd have no problem with it at all.

So far, that's one "yes" vote...

User SadieinDC felt a bit differently:

I got a desk chair at the Park Hyatt DC sale a couple of years ago. I paid $40. It's not a particularly special style, but it's pretty high quality, and it's very comfortable. I'll do something interesting with it one of these days. On another note, if you ever get a chance to go to a hotel sale, do it, even if just for the experience. It's wild seeing people running around raiding the rooms and looking like they're on some kind of looting spree.

Oh, people running around like a looting spree? Actually, sounds like typical IKEA experience to us.

And, again, some, like archersam, feel it depends on the hotel:

My down-cushioned Baker camelback sofa came from a lobby at the St. Regis in NewYork, and when I got it, it was upholstered in Brunschwig & Fils' La Portugaise glazed chintz--a favorite of Mario Buatta & Mark Hampton, although probably not in this particularly garish orange-&-hunter green colorway--which I couldn't bear to look at more than a few days, but which I also couldn't afford to replace.

So, it seems like it may be a viable option if we're running short on cash and our budget is disagreeing with our tastes.

So, what do you think? Would you buy a hotel's old furniture, knowing guests have sat their naked asses upon the chair your kitty cat is now sleepin' on? Is it worth it?

Let us know in comments below

[Photo: ApartmentTherapy]

3 Comments

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juliana
HotelChatter Editor

Re: Would You Buy Old Hotel Furniture?
hmm...at first i was like "no." but considering i love flea markets and currently work at my desk in a old chair ($35) that i picked up from my last flea market spree, i would probably be interested in some furniture.
however, flea market furniture has some character. i dunno if i would spring for like marriott or some other big box hotel gear.

August 8, 2008 at 9:44 AM

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cosmo
HotelChatter Member

Re: Would You Buy Old Hotel Furniture?
When living in NYC I bought some furniture from the Essex House during a remodel. I lived 2 blocks from the hotel. My $120 purchase, 2 lamps and 2 nightstands, needed to be delivered. I did not have a car and could not fit the items into a cab, now add on a $250 delivery fee. The lamps did not have shades, add 2 new shades. I still have the furniture, 18 years later.

August 8, 2008 at 10:55 AM

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beatofhawaii
HotelChatter Member

Confession
We have three beautiful patio dining sets for which we paid $45 total (including the 12 chairs) from the Hyatt here on Kauai. They sold them to anyone interested when they changed furniture. The sets are easily worth 20 times what we paid and are in perfect condition.
Aloha, http://beatofhawaii.com

August 8, 2008 at 12:20 PM

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