Inspiring Conversations with Thea Picard of Old Couch Girl

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thea Picard.

Hi Thea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in an old house that my dad saved from being torn down when Crabtree Valley Mall was being built. He paid $2000 for it, moved it to the countryside in Wake Forest, and rebuilt/restored it. It was a 1920s craftsman home. It was beautiful and full of character. So from an early age I’ve had an appreciation for old things that are built well with quality materials. I have a very detail oriented eye and notice the small things that is often what makes a vintage piece special. I also grew up going to flea markets, yard sales and thrifting with my mom. That gave me a love for the hunt and finding deals and treasure.
As an artist and creative I found it difficult to find a career path out of college. I ended up working in service industry for many years because it gave me flexibility and freedom to explore. During those years I started to have a little side hustle of flipping furniture on craigslist and selling vintage clothing to shops. I was always thrifting anyway so it happened naturally.
It was also a means to afford decorating my house the way I liked and to have a rotating wardrobe. After a while I started making more money and got really good at it. I decided it was feasible to do full time and in 2018 I launched Freek Vintage which was my online vintage clothing shop. I left service industry for good in January 2020, right before the pandemic, and started working full time for myself. Working with clothes was fun but my real passion was furniture, specifically couches. They are the centerpiece of the living room and they are integral to comfort and relaxation plus they’re a social place. We spend a lot of time on our couches! So it’s an important piece of furniture. What I really appreciate about vintage couches is that they were undoubtedly made better. A couch from 1960 was likely built with a hardwood frame, solid hardware (not just staples) and will last decades. A couch today lasts a few years, and they’re still expensive! So, 2021-2023 I was primarily selling clothing but I kept finding amazing vintage couches that I couldn’t leave behind. I would end up with 5 couches in my shop at a time and so I started selling them too. Then in 2023 I decided to go full time vintage furniture with a focus on couches and haven’t looked back. I offer restored pieces with new and custom upholstery as well as vintage pieces in their original form and fabric. I have a ton of fun finding unique and interesting things and I absolutely love picking out fabric to restore and bring a worn out vintage piece back to life. It’s also better for the planet!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. This job is not for the faint of heart. It’s not stable. I don’t get PTO or a salary or benefits. I never know how much money will come in or go out. If I’m not working, I’m not making money. I drive A LOT. Managing my own hours and being disciplined is hard. Being self employed is hard. Moving furniture by yourself and picking it up at random hours in random places is hard. Finding good stuff is hard. But it’s also really fun and rewarding. I meet so many amazing people in this industry.

We’ve been impressed with Old Couch Girl, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Old Couch Girl is a vintage furniture shop specializing in upholstered seating. We focus on couches and offer a curated selection of unique high quality pieces from the 1940s to the 1990s with a special love for the 1970s. We prioritize comfort while also having a keen eye for design and aesthetic. We bring pieces back from the dead as well as offer pieces in original condition.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are mostly active on Instagram. Engaging, sharing, commenting and messaging there is the best way to be in touch. We also are happy to share email and set up in person appointments at our shop!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @oldcouchgirl
• Other: [email protected]