Art of Second Chances: Reviving Forgotten Furniture

I was truly impressed when I saw Ioannis transform an old piece of furniture into something completely new and modern. Watching the process, from the first idea to the final result, made me realize how much life can still exist in objects others consider finished. Since then, every time I see discarded furniture on the street, my mind goes elsewhere. I start thinking about how it could be reborn, gain character, and be given a new chance at life.

1. Tell us a little about who you are. If we asked you “what do you do in life?”, how would you answer?

I.S. Let me start by saying that my name is Ioannis. I’m married to my beloved Louiza and I live in Athens, specifically in Petroupoli. Although I studied a profession that I never truly enjoyed practicing, I managed to dedicate myself to what I always loved: graphic design. I have always been drawn to painting as well as writing, and today I make use of both—not only as hobbies, but also as a means of livelihood.

2. When did your love for old furniture and vintage objects begin? How did it lead you to where you are today?

I.S. As everything I imagined—whether through painting or writing—began to take shape, and everything that once lived only in my world of imagination and inspiration suddenly came to life before my eyes, I was gifted an old piece of furniture that was destined for the trash. I thought to myself: why not work on it and give it another chance at life?

That piece now decorates my living room, and I still have it ten years later.

3. What attracts you to giving “a second life” to old objects? What would you like people to feel when they see or use one of your creations?

I.S. “A second chance.” That’s what draws me in—it’s something we all need. In these “aged” pieces of furniture, I feel as though I see a new soul waiting to emerge.

4. How did the August Förster piano come into your hands, and what inspired you to transform it into a desk—without losing its character and history?

(The piano before…)

(…and after its transformation)

I.S. When my wife and I decided to move, we found a beautiful house in Petroupoli. During the tour, the owner showed us the backyard. That’s where I saw the remains of this German piano lying abandoned. Its keys had been ripped out, and it was left there to be soaked by the rain, frozen in winter, and burned by the summer sun.

That piano was one of the main reasons we decided to rent the house. I simply had to save it—and I did.

5. When you start a new project, where do you usually begin? And how long does it take before you say, “Alright—now it’s finished”?

I.S. The furniture itself has many things to tell me. It’s incredible how much inspiration one can draw from a single piece—I can’t really explain it in simple words. Then I look for fresh ideas online, from people who have worked on similar pieces.

The time required varies depending on the type and size of the furniture, the extent of the damage, and the kind of restoration needed. Some pieces need nothing more than a refresh to reveal all their elegance and character.

There are items that took me four to five days, and others—like this piano—that required three full months to be completed. For me, a piece of furniture isn’t finished when I’ve completed all the work on it, but when I see the smile on the face of the person who takes it. Just as I want to fall in love with it myself, I want the person who receives it to feel the same.

6. What kind of people are usually drawn to your work? Was there a reaction or comment that touched you the most?

I.S. So far, no one has expressed any objections. What I see instead is satisfaction and joy—and that’s what always touches me. I like to let people get involved in the creative process, if they wish, by sharing their own ideas and discussing together whether they can realistically be brought to life.

I want them to envision it themselves. Usually, they are simple people who also believe in the idea of a “second chance” for something they love in their home but don’t know how to bring back to life.

7. Is there a dream object you would love to transform someday? And what advice would you give to someone who wants to start something similar to what you do?

I.S What I love transforming the most—despite the dedication and hard work it requires—is the piano. I love seeing them become something other than what they were originally created to be. I consider them jewels for any space.

My advice to anyone starting something similar is to do it with love, to take their time and truly engage with it, and to feel joy every time they work on it.

8. What does “an object with a second life” mean to you? And if you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be?

I.S. For me, a second life means salvation from certain destruction. I may sound dramatic, but it’s true. Even when we give a second life to an inanimate object, it ultimately rejuvenates our own soul—and a piece of ourselves becomes part of it.

The three words I would choose to describe my work are: Creation, Inspiration, Life.

Email: yannis.stamatakos@gmail.com