FAQ
My piece is going to be delivered. When can I expect to receive my piece?
We will contact you within 24 hours of your purchase to schedule a delivery time that works for you. Delivery is typically completed within a few days.
In what condition will my piece arrive?
Signs of age, variation, and patina are considered part of the appeal of authentic vintage furniture.
We’ve put together a detailed Condition Guide for more information about how we evaluate and describe our pieces. Each product listing will reference the condition according to this guide.
Where do you deliver?
We offer delivery throughout Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and parts of the Fraser Valley, including Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Delta, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, White Rock, Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack.
If you are more than 50 km outside of Langley, please reach out to discuss delivery.
Is there a delivery fee?
We offer flat rate delivery for $85 within 50 km of postal code V3A.
Most customers choose delivery. It’s simple, affordable, and saves the trip to Langley. More information here.
Can I view in person before purchasing?
Yes. We offer viewings by appointment. That said, all pieces are available for immediate purchase through our website and inventory moves quickly, and it’s possible a piece may sell prior to your appointment.
We do our best to provide detailed photos, accurate descriptions, and transparent condition notes online so you can feel confident purchasing remotely. We’re also always happy to answer questions or provide additional photos before purchase.
Do you offer returns?
No. All sales are final. We aim to be as transparent as possible in our product listings, photos, and Condition Guide, though authentic vintage furniture will naturally show signs of age, variation, and use. If you have questions or would like additional photos prior to purchase, we’re always happy to help.
Is this piece veneer?
Most likely, yes. The majority of Mid Century Modern furniture was made using real wood veneer, including many high-end pieces. Even solid wood furniture often incorporates veneer. If a piece is solid wood throughout, it will be specifically noted in the product description.
Are the drawers dovetailed?
Many people shopping for Mid Century Modern furniture search for dovetailed drawers because they’re often associated with quality construction. While dovetail joints are common in vintage furniture, they were only one of many strong drawer construction methods used throughout the Mid Century era.
Authentic Mid Century Modern furniture was built using a wide variety of joinery techniques depending on the maker, region, and price point. Some high-quality pieces use dovetailed drawers, while others use rabbet joints, locking joints, spline construction, or reinforced corner blocks.
At House of Cascadia, we focus less on one specific construction detail and more on how the piece performs as a whole. Every drawer is inspected, tested, adjusted, and reinforced if needed to ensure smooth everyday use and long-term durability.
If you’d like to learn more about vintage furniture construction, drawer joinery, veneer, and what to look for when buying Mid Century Modern furniture, visit our blog.
What does the back of the piece look like?
Most vintage Mid Century Modern dressers and cabinets were designed to sit against a wall, so the backs are typically constructed from hardboard, plywood, or other stable secondary materials other than solid wood or finished veneer. These materials helped reduce unnecessary weight while offering structural stability and resistance to seasonal movement or warping. This was intentional and widely used by North American MCM cabinet-makers.
Because the back was not considered a visible design surface, manufacturers focused the detail, wood grain, and finish work on the front and sides of the piece where it would be seen and used every day.
If a piece has a fully finished back suitable for floating in a room, we’ll always mention it in the listing description.
Why does Mid Century Modern furniture use veneer?
Veneer was widely used by Mid Century Modern furniture makers because it allowed for beautiful grain patterns, greater stability, and more efficient use of natural materials. Many of the most iconic and collectible Mid Century Modern pieces were made using real wood veneer over plywood, solid wood secondary framing, or other stable engineered substrates designed to reduce movement and improve long-term durability.
Veneer is not plastic laminate. It is real wood and remains one of the defining characteristics of authentic Mid Century Modern furniture design.
Do the drawers slide smoothly?
Yes. Every piece is inspected prior to sale and drawers are adjusted, repaired, or reinforced as needed to ensure they function properly. Vintage drawers may not glide exactly like modern soft-close cabinetry, but they should feel solid, smooth, and functional for everyday use.
Why is vintage Mid Century Modern furniture expensive?
Authentic vintage furniture was built in a different era using high-quality materials and construction methods that are increasingly uncommon today. Every piece we sell is carefully selected, cleaned, restored, photographed, and stored with long-term everyday use in mind.
I'm new to vintage furniture. What should I expect?
Vintage furniture isn’t perfect and that’s part of its appeal. Unlike brand-new mass-produced furniture, authentic Mid Century Modern pieces often show subtle signs of age, variation, repair, or patina that reflect their history and originality.
People who buy vintage are usually looking beyond flawless surfaces. They’re drawn to warmth, character, craftsmanship, and pieces with lasting presence. For many, shopping for vintage feels closer to collecting art for the home than simply buying furniture.
At House of Cascadia, we carefully select pieces we believe balance beauty, function, storage, and long-term livability. We do our best to represent and describe each piece accurately, including any notable wear or restoration work, so you can feel confident purchasing vintage online.