I grew up second-hand shopping - partly out of necessity for the family budget, but in retrospect I think my mom also loved the thrill of the hunt. My mom, sister and I would sift through the Goodwill racks on Saturdays, hoping to come across a name brand in good shape, or the perfect pair of jeans. Spontaneous stops at garage sales were the norm, and even on vacations we would seek out the local thrift stores, hoping to find treasures. Second-hand shopping is in my DNA I suppose, and it’s carried over into my interior design work, albeit now with sometimes a higher price tag. From the Goodwill all the way to high-end on-line vintage vendors, there are places to shop that hit everyone’s preferred budget. Here is a brief run-down different types of vintage shops.
On vacation in Arizona, I couldn’t resist a little local treasure hunt.
If only these would have fit in my suitcase.
Thrift Stores - the obvious ones like Goodwill or Salvation Army, along with any local charity or church-affiliated stores. These are the places that truly require the hunt - there is almost no curation of the product that gets placed on shelves or racks. The benefit is typically rock bottom prices, the downside is it’s entirely possible you could leave empty handed.
Sleuthing around a vintage furniture warehouse - you never know what you’ll find! While the condition of pieces definitely matters, we also like to keep in mind reupholstering and refinishing options.
It is only fitting that the sofa in my office was a vintage shopping score. Believe it or not, she was $50.
Local and Small Scale Vintage/Antique Shops - these locales typically only carry truly vintage items and tend to be curated by era or theme. Think the cute booth at an antique shop that changes its offerings seasonally or has themed groupings - i.e. blue and white chinoiserie or white milk glass. Stores tend to be chock full, with different vendors/booths having unique personalities. Prices are fair and relatively low - though offerings will be priced according to their antique pedigree to some extent. Generally these shops won’t have much product on-line, if any.
Finding vintage art in a sea of stuff is always a treat.
At a local vintage shop that focuses on Mid-Century Modern pieces, the gems are everywhere you turn.
That feeling when you load up the car with so many great finds.
High-End Antique/Vintage Shops That Caters To the Design World - these are highly curated spaces that are beautifully styled and will leave you wanting everything. Generally they will be cued in to design trends of the moment and have offerings of that nature. Vendors will be knowledgeable about what they are selling and may offer items to be taken out on approval - a service often catering to designers. Pricing will be on the high end, is sometimes negotiable, and is in keeping with the demand or pedigree of the items. Some shops may also have an on-line presence. No need to hunt in these spaces - everything you see will be stunning.
The styling, the curated assortment and the unique, truly special finds make these shops an experience that is less about the hunt and more about picking what you love most.
Always armed with the fabrics, paint swatches and key inspirational elements, when we stumble upon a piece, we’re able to envision it in a room.
On-Line Vintage/Antique Sites - Chairish, First Dibs and to some extent Etsy are the best known on-line places to hunt for the perfect vintage item. These sites offer a wide array of product and filters allow you to search by item type, price and locale. The vast quantity of items offered is a dizzying rabbit hole to go down, but from the convenience of your laptop. Pricing is all over the map on these sites - mostly high end, but there will be affordable finds from time to time. Shipping will add to the price tag while some vendors have brick and mortar stores as well.
A lucky client gave these Edward Wormley chairs a
new home.
Wherever you do your vintage hunting, we wish you success - or at least enjoying the thrill of the hunt!
Some vintage finds are better left at the store!
For more vintage shopping tips and tricks of the trade, check out this JOURNAL POST.