Four Things to Buy Vintage
If there’s one guaranteed way to give your home a unique point of view and personality, it’s buying one-of-a-kind, vintage, and antique items. Not to mention, shopping for second had items is extremely sustainable. The very antithesis of new-every-season mass market goods, vintage pieces leave little-to-no carbon footprint, and are often more durable and affordable than contemporary pieces. Vintage items bring a soul and sense of authenticity to a room in a way that new pieces just cannot replicate, and they are essential to creating a home that feels lived-in and loved rather than curated.
Of course, we’re not filling a home entirely with vintage goods, but rather using them strategically to create interest. Here are the four vintage items we love to incorporate into our projects.
Design by Yond Interiors, Photo by Erin Little
Furnishings
Our first choice for furnishings is custom-made, but vintage and antique are a very close second. Well-made vintage pieces are often more affordable than mass-produced versions, and your space definitely won’t look exactly like your neighbor! In general, we specify new pieces the most-used items like beds and sofas and save vintage seating for the statement pieces that aren’t necessarily used as often. Vintage always is a great choice for case goods and mixing styles and periods is how we achieve that layered, collected look.
Design by Yond Interiors, Photography by Erin Little
Textiles
If the idea of antique rug gives you pause, rest assured, these hand-made beauties are both works of art and absolute work horses. Truly, you will find no better rug for a busy, messy area than a hand-made wool (or other natural fiber) one! Think about it — they are at least fifty years old to even be considered vintage and we think they just look better with age! Their dark colors and busy patterns will disguise dirt and spills, but their wool construction is actually easier to clean than their synthetic counterparts. We love runners and smaller rugs in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and entries, and larger pieces can easily set the tone for living spaces and dining rooms. It’s worth noting that vintage rugs are often longer and more narrow than contemporary rugs, so when using in a large space, consider layering it over another low-pile natural fiber rug like seagrass or jute.
We also love to incorporate vintage textile pieces as pillows or drapery for texture and movement. Small pieces of fabric can be acquired inexpensively and are easily made into one-of-a-kind pillows.
Design by Yond Interiors, Photography by Amanda Birnie
Lighting & Wall Art
While we love to design large custom pieces for projects, what really makes them sing is the addition of special smaller items like vintage lighting, original art, and unique mirrors. Many of these items are readily available (and affordable) in local antique and vintage shopping spots, but weeding through the less desirable stuff may take some patience. With vintage lighting, it’s always a good idea to have a light shop rewire the fixture for safety, and be sure to look past the frame on a vintage painting you love — that can always be changed to better fit your aesthetic. Small vintage mirrors are a great addition to entries and powder rooms, where their deteriorated reflection isn’t an issue, and we also like to play with scale a little and place them over fireplace mantels or headboards.
Design by Yond Interiors, Photography by Erin Little
Tips for Buying Vintage
Do your homework. It’s nice to have at least a basic working knowledge of furniture styles and time periods. You will likely find books on the subject, but you can also learn quite a bit by browsing online auction sites and reading descriptions.
Know your measurements. If you are looking to fill a spot in your home, measure it and keep the numbers on hand (the Notes app on your phone is a great spot). It’s harder to get your exact desired measurements when sourcing vintage, but at least you’ll have an idea.
Be prepared to make a quick decision. Vintage items rarely come back in stock, so if you leave something behind, be prepared that it might sell to someone else. If you are on the fence about a decision, ask about hold or on-approval policies.
Where to Shop Online
For a good deal: Etsy, Craig’s List, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace
For curated collections: Chairish, 1st Dibs, One King’s Lane
Design by Yond Interiors, Photography by Erin Little
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas is one of our favorite spots to shop for vintage.
We whole-heartedly believe that well-chosen small accessories can pull a room together.
Vintage pieces are crucial to our quest to elevate everyday objects.
Use your vintage to bring some style to your coffee table.