The end table or candlestand you are holding from Ikea or Bed Bath and Beyond (beyond what... shame?) drop it now, walk out of the store. You don't need this crap in your house. The stuff is made in China or somewhere and will end up in the trash bin in a year. If it lasts a year.
What you really want to do is buy vintage made in USA stuff. Then at home, figure out the surface; if you want to paint it or soften it by rubbing laquer thinner, shellack it or best of all, leave it like it just the way it is. Trust me it will add to your house, your sense of history ,where you belong in the world and will serve to celebrate the last century where Americans manufactured and made some very cool stuff. Point this out to your friends whose homes are full of shoddy Chinese made crumbling already rot. Make friends realize what dolts they are for buying stuff in these stupid big box stores with bogus "heritage" lines of furniture. Bombay store is a good example, From the wrong end of a telescope it looks ok. Then check it out up close and the awful workmanship comes through. We went to a party -big mistake-where the hostess who dramatically appeared coming cdown the stairs 1/2 hour late, walked into her room where a hired decorator put together an English Manor look. all new bogus aged trappings of abolute rubbish. Even fake books which can be cool as they save you the time reading but make you look smart. concept good. But at least get real old books which are sold by the yard sometimes.
Sometimes they actually slam it out in transit on the huge ships travelling here. And guess what? It's not their fault as we buy it. But time to put your foot down. Just like the rust belt town in USA where living around long dormant factories with deer and pheasant walking through them, trees growing up through the 40 foot tall steel beam rafters, these good and true folks finally had enough when the new man hole covers came in stamped "Made in India". They revolted tied them to the town's alderman and through them in the clean and clear running river. We need to do the same.
Buy something you can hand down to your kids. Some things your kids will be proud of and actually fight over. Not furniture you throw in the dumpster like ten year old carpeting. Get the real item. It can be had for $10 bucks if you shop around at flea markets, garage sales-this is a good time as all the oldsters are checking out and the boomers for the most part, are throwing the stuff out with no knowledge or sense of shame or respect for the heritage of the past.. These are new times buy stuff youy actually might have a chance of reselling. Think that Home Depot lamp is going to become an heirloom? Go on e-bay and pick up an industrial worklight for $40 instead. Besides looking cool in your house adding a mellow 1940's glow to your surroundings, it's going up in value. This type of thing will never be made again. It can't be manufactured the same way for under a thusand dollars. Steel rolled brass,knurled thumbscrews to set the height.
Is Sharper Image still around? If it is, it shouldn't be. Last time I went in, there was absolutely nothing I even wanted. I kept thinking of the fun of rolling it flat with stream roller. Pier One? Phony wicker basket already listing portside. Rubbish. Put the crap down and walk out. Watch for garage sale signs or the nearest swap meet (in the west) or flea market in the east. Don't buy anything that looks old from England either. It's probably old wood or wood made to look old then hammered together for a farm country table look. More junk.