VINTAGE ON MY RADAR
12 pieces I'm always hunting for
My design philosophy has always been about mixing the old with the new, the refined with the relaxed. There are certain vintage and antique pieces I find to be especially versatile that work in a wide range of settings and help define my signature style. These are the categories on my radar right now, the things I end up saving late at night while scrolling auctions or digging through Marketplace listings.
1. Alabaster Ceiling Fixtures
Alabaster is one of my all-time favorite materials. It’s timeless, natural, and a little glamorous, and works just as beautifully in a traditional setting as it does in a modern space. I love the way it diffuses light and elevates a space. I’m always on the hunt for one like this that can work in an entry, primary bath or above a kitchen island.
2. Antique Mirrors
From gilded French frames to timeworn foxed glass, antique mirrors instantly add depth and patina. I love to lean one against a wall, or hang it to catch the light in a hallway. They’re the easiest way to layer in old character to any space.
3. Giacometti-Style Coffee Tables
These pieces are defined by their delicate, handcrafted ironwork and are simple yet impossibly elegant. The lines feel both architectural and artistic, often paired with stone or glass tops that feel equally at home in a traditional room layered with antiques or a pared-back modern space where they read like functional sculpture. Have my eye on this one!
4. Delft Tiles
Hand-painted Dutch Delft tiles date back centuries, often featuring tiny individual scenes like ships, flowers, little vignettes…no two exactly alike. Each one is its own little work of art. I love using them as a fireplace surround or wet bar backsplash, especially in an otherwise neutral space, where their character and touch of whimsy really shine.
5. Mid-Century Banana Sofas
Curvy, sculptural, and surprisingly versatile. I especially love them in mohair in a bedroom or tucked-away corner, or as a supplement to main living room seating that’s more streamlined or traditional.
6. Vintage Turkish Oushak Rugs
They work everywhere. I use them as bath rugs, runners, entry mats…the smaller and atypical sizes make them work in odd spaces as well, and there are a lot available in softer neutral palettes that seem to fit any style of space.
7. English Gate-Leg Tables
Another versatile piece that I can find a use for in almost any home, gate-leg tables add old-world character. I especially love the ones with turned, barley-twist legs. They can fold down to work as a slim console behind a sofa or in an entry, and open up to serve as a dining or center table. I love using them as a center table to break up a large living room or as a larger bedside table. I’ve been waiting for a project where I can use this one.
8. Barovier & Toso Sconces
Made from Murano glass, these sconces give off the most beautiful glow. The way the light passes through the crystal feels soft and luminous, instantly elevating a room. I love how they bring in a more refined, decorative note against simple plaster walls or pared-back architecture. They’re elegant without being fussy, and they add just the right amount of sparkle to an otherwise quiet space. I mean, so dreamy!
9. Antique Marble Mantels
If you’ve got the budget, an old marble mantel can completely transform a room. It distinguishes a space and adds an architectural element with a storied sense of history (if your home is new or cookie-cutter, an old fireplace surround will go a long way in giving it more character). Some of the most beautiful examples are in richly veined marble with fluted legs or carved detailing, and the natural variation in the stone makes each one unique.
10. Vintage or Antique Chests
I’m always looking out for these because I find so many uses for them in my projects. They work beautifully in an entry or hallway for extra storage, beside a bed, or even converted into a bathroom vanity. I love the warmth of aged wood and hardware, and the range of leg styles and stone tops that make each piece feel distinct.
11. Vintage Table Lamps
Lamps (and art) are probably the thing I own the most of in vintage or antique form. They’re such an easy way to add character to a space, whether on a desk, side table, console, or nightstand. I’m always drawn to ones in interesting materials like alabaster, rattan, marble, or pottery. They have a presence that newer lamps rarely do, and they’re often the detail that makes a corner feel complete.
12. Still Life or Portrait Paintings
This is the category I add to my inventory most often. New original art can be really expensive, and most people don’t want mass-produced pieces that feel generic. I always prefer vintage art, especially portraits and still lifes, because they bring so much story and character into a space. They often come in beautiful, ornate frames as well, which add another layer of interest when styled on a wall, mantel, or shelf.