AN EYE FOR VINTAGE: THE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS HOUSEHOLD
As far as I can remember, I’ve always had a love for eclectic finds for the home. Some of my favorite pieces are rare, one of a kind furniture items, like credenzas, bookshelves and side tables that are unique and special. That being said, vintage and antique stores have always been a favorite of mine. Knowing that this specific piece came from this or that time period, or was handmade and only one of a kind, enhances this experience even more. If you’re new to this, it can be challenging at first to know where to shop, especially when many antique shops in your neighborhood might still be closed due to the pandemic. Below, I’ve included my favorite second hand shopping stores that you can shop from the comfort of your home.
First off, I’m a huge fan of “buying” off the street. By this, I mean walking the streets around my neighborhood in Brooklyn and randomly coming across pieces of furniture that I absolutely must have. I have at least three of those pieces in my room alone, with more scattered throughout my home. If you are able to, walking the streets and finding someone else’s trash, whether that be something they are mistakenly giving away, or don’t know the value of, is one of my favorite ways to find furniture secondhand. Please exercise caution, especially due to the current situation!
If wandering the streets and picking through someone else’s trash is not your idea of a treasure, then some of my favorite vintage furniture sites (or secondhand) can be found below:
AptDeco.
aptdeco: If you live in New York City, chances are you’re familiar with apt deco, which ran ads on the subway for what felt like years. An online resource for buying and selling furniture, there are plenty of deals to be found. Many of the items listed come directly from warehouses or were props for a magazine shoot, meaning they weren’t used. Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive. And good for the environment, of course!
Kaiyo Furniture.
kaiyo: Another marketplace that promotes selling and buying secondhand furniture. The pieces can venture on the expensive side, but you will definitely find rare pieces that make it worth it. In general, I find the options to be a little more traditional than modern, but that can always change based on what you surround it with/how you style the room!
craigslist: My go-to site for last minute gigs, apts, jobs…I’m a true craigslist fan, and to be quite honest, it’s never let me down (sometimes sketchy though). As someone who has also sold furniture on craigslist, the process is relatively seamless. The items posted can range from traditional, to modern, to pretty out there, but worth a shot for when you want to find some basic items without breaking the bank (like side tables, dressers and storage items).
salvation army: Absolute favorite. Do yourself a favor and support not only your bank account, but your local salvation army! Too many in my neighborhood in Brooklyn have been forced to close due to rising rent prices (thank you gentrification), and I try my best to shop here as much as possible. I’ve gotten beautiful bookshelves, consoles, side tables and more from my local store. Salvation Army will always remain a staple for me when looking for furniture: there are multiple deals to be had, and similarly to finding items on the street, lots of people don’t know when their trash is my treasure!
In general, vintage and secondhand furniture can be tricky. At an old firm, many items we ordered for clients would arrive damaged, or with scratches, that needed to be fixed by a fabricator. While this is okay if the seller lets you know in advance, it can be frustrating if you’re unaware, thus causing more money in the long run. However, more often that not, these are the pieces that come to shine in our spaces, showing our unique taste and aesthetics. Try it out, you just might like what you stumble upon!