So there's been a few instances in which a new piece of furniture comes out that must be using the same filename as an older piece of furniture, because the new furniture ends up replacing it.
Example: The "Wreath" furniture item from the most recent Xmas. I still had some old wreaths from Xmas 2010 or 2011 (don't recall which) displayed on my GH when I decorated my house for Xmas. When I eventually removed the old wreaths and they returned to my inventory, I was very disappointed to see that they had been "transformed" into the new, bigger wreaths.
If I had known that would happen, I would not have removed them. I still have one of the old stereos in my GH, that I can't remove because doing so will convert it into the new radio (which is another furniture item that took the place of an old one).
I figure the old furniture pieces that were "replaced" must still be in the game, because if they were removed, the furniture would have automatically changed, not just changed when I put it back in my inventory. Also, the old-style wreaths are still used on many buildings in snowtown. So I know they're still in the game.
I just want the furniture that I purchased back.
TLDR Version: Certain new furniture is replacing old furniture from years back. Please look into this.