Retro and distressed furniture is very in right now, and people are picking up great pieces at thrift stores and flea markets all the time.
One way to help restore the pieces, yet make them look vintage is to paint them with chalk paint.
Check out this tutorial on how to create chalk paint out of regular paint you can find at a hardware store and some baking soda.
This will give any piece of furniture that distressed and aged look that you are looking for!