Shopping for vintage pieces has brought me so much joy over the years. But collecting? That’s what’s made it so much easier to not feel overwhelmed when navigating a big flea market or antique mall. While I believe you should buy secondhand whatever speaks to you — as long as it’s in the budget! — starting a collection of some sort is a great way to train your eye to start curating objects with intention. Creating vignettes becomes so much easier when you have multiples of items to style with for decorative impact.
I’m not advocating for amassing display cases full of things (unless you want to and can, of course). What I’m talking about is picking a motif, era, or category of product that resonates with you. For me, over the years, it’s been brass animal figurines and candlesticks, which I’ll still pick up from time to time but less so now that I’m stocked up on them. Lately, I’ve been loving shell decor (hello, Art Deco influence!) and decorative boxes for my various shelves and tabletop surfaces. And I’ve yet to meet a vintage art book that I won’t give a second look at. I’ve taught myself to search for these things on tables stacked high with stuff and crowded booths. And it makes the thrill of the hunt that much easier.
I also like to go into vintage shopping with a plan — typically a short list of things on my Notes app that I’m in need of or ideally would like to find. This keeps me from the occasional impulse purchase that I might regret. But my collections keep growing, and that’s why I’m thrilled that I’m partnering with HETTA, a heritage-inspired furniture brand from the founders of Sundays, this weekend on a little pre-loved pop-up. Collectors have to clear out every now and then. If you’re in New York, we’d love to see you, and you can shop some of what’s above, from Paris with love.
And keep reading what’s below. This send is packed with plenty of inspo, including vintage pieces that are trending now and you might remember from your parents’ or grandparents’ home.
