Vintage pieces bring so much character, story and interest to a space. It is hard to rival a piece that comes with history and built in patina. Not to mention the thrill of the hunt for vintage collections never seems too dull. For every vintage shopping adventure, we have a few tips that can make your hunt more fun - and more successful. So put on your comfy shoes, check out the following tips and be sure to let us know what you find!
1. Before you go shopping, have your “tools” ready
When shopping vintage or one-of-a-kind, I always have the following with me:
Tape measure
Paint swatches of the rooms I’m shopping for
A short list of the items I’m on the hunt for - including measurements (you hate to get the big heavy dresser home only to realize it’s too wide for the wall you imagined it on!)
Photos on my phone of anything else that will help me make a decision - the existing rug or couch, the wall for art, etc.
The finds at my favorite vintage shopping haunt in Michigan - Trilogy Antiques
2. Know your tolerance, DIY skill level and budget for repairs
15 years ago, I used to grab a vintage dresser and give it a coat of paint without a second thought. But now, three kids and a design career later, I no longer harbor any fantasies of repairing, painting or refinishing ANYTHING myself. So, if something is a great deal but requires work, be comfortable with either the cost or time required to get it up to snuff for your home. For items that need reupholstery, you’ll have the cost of fabric and labor. Even reframing vintage art gets pricey - many a time I’ve spent more on framing than the cost of the art itself - which doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it to me, it just means that I accepted that cost going in.
One of my fave vintage finds ever...painted by Marianne Olsen of Oak Park in 1964. Amateur artist but her palette is so rich and I love the age and wear on this piece.
3. Consider if you really, really love it and what functionality is necessary
I’m a huge believer in living with things that you find beautiful. Even with a chippy frame or a wonky drawer, if you love it and it will bring you joy to look at - most of the time, I say go for it! You can usually find a place for it! At the same time, if you plan to put a piece in a space where it will get a lot of use, check to make sure the legs aren’t about to fall off. There is a vintage shopping dance - know the functionally you need where, but also be willing to bring something home and find a place for it.
4. Understand the shipping and transport options
Most higher end antique dealers have an option for shipping, but it won’t be inexpensive. Cash and carry is usually your best bet. A vintage or thrift store may be willing to hold something for you once paid for a day or two, but probably not much longer. So before you get your heart set on something, make sure you can get it home.
Vintage Delft tile shopping in Amsterdam - an easy souvenir to pack in my carry on.
5. Walk away
If your schedule allows and you’re relatively sure your coveted item won’t be snatched up by another buyer, walk away from the piece you’re considering. Do another loop of the store, check out the next vendor, grab lunch - whatever you can do to give your brain a little space. When you return to your potential purchase, you can take it in with fresh eyes to determine how much you really love it.
6. Build a collection over time
One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to shop vintage is to curate and collect a particular item or palette over time. The options are endless — blue and white chinoiserie pottery, water color paintings, oil landscapes, tablecloths, enamelware, brass silverware, - I could go on forever. This is an exercise in knowing what you love and then allowing those finds to come to you as time allows. I have an ever growing collection of vintage pottery - pieces in my collection go as far back as my honeymoon 18 years ago and have come from as far as Greece, Italy and Amsterdam, and as close as my local thrift store. I doubt I’ve spent more than $50 on any one piece (and often much less!), which gives me the freedom to buy what I love and to trade pieces in and out when my cabinet is overflowing.
Nashville certainly doesn’t disappoint for vintage shopping either - this is my favorite spot.