About

Why Iridium?

Iridium Interiors is built on the idea that rare resources should be preserved. We focus on thoughtful reuse and renewal, creating sustainable solutions that give high-quality furnishings another life. Our customers are stewards of the environment, prioritizing quality and longevity.

Nice to Meet You!

We're so glad you're here! Like you, we care about great design and the lasting impact of our choices on the environment. That’s why we restore beautiful, well-crafted furniture—giving it a new life while reducing waste.

Vintage furniture stands the test of time, proving its durability in a way most modern pieces can't. We encourage our customers to think long-term because sustainability starts with intentional choices. As the sayings go: “Buy nice or buy twice,” and “Haste makes waste.”

Quality design requires thoughtful planning and careful consideration, and we believe shopping should be the same. We urge you to research the companies you buy from to ensure their values are aligned with yours!

Sustainability

Our mission is to reduce waste by keeping high-quality vintage furniture in circulation. Imagine receiving a beautiful piece—without the piles of packaging waste to dispose of. We’re proud to eliminate packaging waste by using blanket-wrap delivery services, ensuring your furniture arrives safely with minimal materials. While we occasionally use shrink wrap and tape for protection, that’s the extent of it—no unnecessary waste!

For smaller items that require boxed shipping, we use 99% upcycled packaging diverted from the waste stream.

Sustainability goes beyond what we sell—it’s about empowering thoughtful choices. Have restoration questions? We’re always happy to guide you in the right direction and share our knowledge!

Our Process

We are obsessed with the transformation that happens when a worn-out piece of furniture is restored to its full potential as a one-of-a-kind statement piece. Every restoration takes place in our in-house studio, where we use techniques that honor the piece’s original design.

Sourcing - Everything we acquire comes from the second-hand market, but our ideal finds come from clean-outs. These are unlike estate sales because clean-outs focus on clearing out the entire home, often sending furniture straight to the landfill. We partner with local small businesses to rescue these high-quality pieces so they can be given another life through our expert restoration.

Starting a Project - At Iridium Interiors, every piece begins its transformation with a thoughtful deep clean. This step isn’t about fancy products, it’s about care and attention to detail. We use dilute soapy water (Murphy's Oil Soap or dish soap) and elbow grease to remove buildup and reveal the piece’s true condition. This process is more than just cleaning, it is about spending time with the piece - uncovering the craftsmanship and history embedded in its construction. By appreciating these details, we can learn about a piece’s history while preparing it for a new life ahead.

Assessment - During the cleaning phase, we carefully evaluate each piece to determine the best path forward. Here are just a few of the many questions we consider:
-Material & Structure: What type of wood is it? Does it need structural repairs? Are there loose or chipped veneer areas?
-Functionality: Are the drawer rails intact? Does any joinery need to be re-glued? Are the feet level?
-Restoration Needs: How does it disassemble? Will this water stain come out? How will we match the color? What type of finish is applied?
-Previous Work: Has this piece been repaired before? Why didn’t the previous owner’s repair hold up?
-Historical Context: What decade is this furniture from?
This individualized assessment allows us to restore each piece with precision and respect for its original craftsmanship, ensuring it’s ready for a long life ahead.

Restoration - Restoration is an iterative practice that combines art, dexterity, material knowledge, and industrial design. Much like sculpting, the process starts rough and becomes increasingly refined with each pass. While we are always learning and improving our techniques, our general approach follows these key steps:

1. Structural Repairs - we address any foundational stability and mechanical issues
2. Finish Removal - The old finish is carefully removed.
3. Aesthetic Repairs - Missing areas are filled in and the surface is refined and stain tests are performed for color selection. 
4. Final Coat - Although high in VOC’s we believe the durability of an oil-based finish outweighs the short-term environmental concern. Oil-based curing resins soak into the wood and build up thickness with multiple applications - unlike traditional finishes, they won’t chip! We apply a minimum of three coats and always finish with a beeswax conditioner for an added layer of moisture protection (Howard's Feed & Wax). 

Each piece we restore highlights our appreciation of timeless design and quality craftsmanship.

Conditioning - The final touch in our restoration process—whether it’s cleaning scuffs from an original finish or adding a protective layer to our restored pieces.

1. Application – We apply the conditioner with a foam sponge (we upcycle upholstery foam scraps for this!). For minor touch-ups, like removing paint scuffs, we use 0000 steel wool and beeswax conditioner to gently restore the surface. 
2. Rest – The conditioner soaks in as long as overnight to nourish the wood.
3. Buffing – We buff it off with a soft flannel scrap for a smooth, rich finish.

This process can be repeated as needed—typically once a year, or every few months for high-use items—to keep furniture looking its best for years to come. 

To check if your furniture needs to be conditioned, observe its reaction to a splash of water drops: a round drop means the finish repels water and is good; a flat drop means water is attracted to the finish and should be conditioned.

Photography - Our goal here is to capture each piece as accurately as possible, showcasing its details from multiple angles. We highlight its craftsmanship, character, and any unique imperfections that tell its story. Since every piece has lived a full life, we document any signs of wear in our listings. Video is available upon request for an even closer look.

Listings - We sell across multiple platforms, including our website, Etsy, and Chairish. Visit our Etsy shop to read the kind words from our lovely customers.

PSA!

When you buy something, you become its caretaker. That comes with the responsibility of learning how to properly dispose of goods when the time comes. Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider what you will do when you are done with it, does that affect what you will buy? 

We’ve observed that most waste happens under time pressure -- planning ahead can help keep valuable items out of landfills. Please check the donation options below; for landfill disposal of large items in Los Angeles, search Bulky Item Pickup.

1. St. Vincent de Paul
2. Habitat for Humanity
3. Salvation Army 

Who We Are