The hard (back)yards - sourcing product

Before we can sell this to you, before we can have the oddly masochistic fun of restoring, before all this we have to source interesting items.

Trade Me has made that easier for sure. In the old days we would be out at 6.00am, circling the neighbourhood, tracking down garage sales to get in on a bargain before anyone else was having breakfast.

In the past year, we have been getting all our base material from Trade Me. Problem is, so does everyone else. And we have been joined on Trade Me by a number of regulars, all chasing the same pieces.

Its oddly expensive, this hobby. Given that the typical sofa consumes around eight metres of fabric, there is up to $400 in that alone. Finishing materials for the timberwork are around $50 a piece, and the labour is just too expensive to think about. Good thing its a hobby, 'cos at minimum wage we are loosing money!

So when we buy, it has to be cheap. Or free. Nothing else makes sense.

With scandi-style and 50's retro/kiwiana being so popular at the moment, its tough getting nice pieces to work on (we are down to our last six suites!).

So, if you have something that needs "doing" get in touch - we could be in the market, or could give you a great deal!