Our goal on The Local Vault is to make sure everything we sell on the site is a gem of a find … but sometimes, we consciously choose pieces that are diamonds in the rough. Furniture that is of exceptional quality and style, but may need a simple refresh in order to reach its true potential.

We do this for a few reasons: For one, we love offering our clients high-end pieces that may typically be available to the trade only (read: you need to hire an interior designer to even have access to them). Many of these pieces are custom made for the homeowner we get them from so the details, like color or print, can often be very specific; with a new finish or fabric, however, they can be easily reinvented for a different space. Similarly, we’re obsessed with vintage and antique pieces which can sometimes look dated in their original form, but can be easily restored to greatness with a little creativity.

To give you an example: This beautiful Bergere chair. It was custom made for its homeowner and is in near perfect condition. While the Louis XVI silhouette is incredibly popular and versatile and the fabric looked lovely in the home, the print is very specific — there’s a good chance it won’t match most homes right out of the gate.

The solution? A total makeover, with reupholstered cushions, and perhaps a coat of paint or a new finish on the frame. Here a few inspiration shots we found to get you thinking about the possibilities.

A ticking stripe fabric would make it the perfect chair for a French Country-style room.

Or, go bold and glamorous with jewel-tone velvet upholstery and a gilded finish.

A distressed finish and white upholstery the look in a shabby chic direction.

We love how a fabric with a garden-party vibe plays off of the feminine shape of the chair.

We’re also firm believers that there’s no piece of furniture that a little cheetah print can’t fix.

How would you style it?