The Vintage Shopping Guide
the guide to all things vintage
tips and tricks for those that love the old
We believe that interior decorating and styling is all about telling a story.
We’re big believers in the notion that interior design is all about telling a story within your home. When a guest walks in, they should be a little closer to understanding who you are and what you care about. Each corner, vignette, and piece of furniture in a space speaks to the narrative of who inhabits the home, creating an interesting, juxtaposed conversation that echos throughout the walls to make a house a home.
Vintage pieces have a way of saying “come on in, pull up a chair, take a seat,” creating layered, lived-in spaces wherever they are placed. They tell a story of history, of collection, of intentional curation, and we use them in nearly every design project we take on.
To many, vintage shopping, the hunt of that perfect piece, is an intimidating endeavor. And we get it! One of our most common tips for places like Brimfield is to wear comfortable shoes because the amount of vintage shopping you can do is massive. How in the world do you narrow it down to one vintage piece that speaks to you? While A Good Home Market is a good place to start, we also want to arm you with the knowledge you need to go out and do some vintage shopping on your own, so we sat down to talk all things vintage and answer some frequently asked questions on the subject.
If you’ve ever wondered about how to successfully shop for vintage, read below for our Q&A with tips and tricks, while answering the most common vintage questions we’ve received for integrating pieces with a story into your home. If you’ve ever wondered about how to successfully shop for vintage, read below for our best tips and tricks .
“I love that vintage pieces add soul to a home. The nicks, dings, and grime tell a story that no other piece can tell.”
What do you love about vintage pieces and how they add to a room or home?
AGH: I love that vintage pieces add soul to a home. The nicks, dings, and grime tell a story that no other piece can tell. When we incorporate vintage pieces, their rarity makes it hard to replicate, giving the home a personality of its own. I use the word texture a lot, but I’m not just referring to textiles -- I think the patina of vintage pieces adds layer and texture to a space.
“When designing a home, we always try to incorporate vintage or antique pieces to give the space more visual interest.”
Do you ever buy vintage pieces online? If so, what are your favorite sources, and how do you ensure that they are good quality without seeing them in person?
AGH: Yes! I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, so I genuinely enjoy digging through sites like Etsy, eBay, 1st Dibs, Chairish, and Facebook Marketplace for hours to find the perfect piece. You win most of the time, but I’ve had a few losers. If you’re unsure about something, ask the vendor to send additional pictures and information before purchasing.
I think the gateway pieces into vintage buying are rugs, textiles, decor, and small furniture. Buying the larger pieces is a bigger investment, and they often need a bit of repair (wobbly legs, rewiring light fixtures, etc). I love the look of reupholstering vintage furniture, but I do it a lot less often than using accent pieces.
Do you go vintage shopping with a clear idea of what you want to find, or do you typically pick up random pieces that speak to you?
AGH: Both! When styling a space, I often think, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a vintage (fill in the blank) here?” And then we leave an empty spot for it, get the measurements needed, and start hunting. Usually, while I’m on the hunt for something specific, I get distracted by other things and buy them too!
“When we incorporate vintage pieces, their rarity makes it hard to replicate, giving the home a personality of its own.”
A lot of vintage pieces have some wear and tear even if they are great quality- does this turn you away or does it add to the character of the piece?
AGH: I think it depends on the amount of wear and tear. I love a little bit of chipping paint and the look of a timeworn piece, but large gauges or broken legs are more than I have time for and they certainly don’t elevate a space.
How important are the bones of vintage furniture, and what materials should you look for when shopping?
AGH: Bones are everything when shopping for vintage pieces. They can always be refinished if needed, but you can’t change the shape.
“Each corner, vignette, and piece in a space speaks to the narrative of who is living there, creating an interesting conversation that echos throughout the walls to make a house a home. Vintage pieces have a way of creating layered, lived-in spaces wherever they are placed. They tell a story of history, of collection, of intentional curation, and we use them in nearly every room because of it.”
What is your favorite vintage piece you have in your home, and what is the story behind it?
AGH: It’s too hard to choose! I love them all, and most have a funny or interesting story attached to them. In our new home (AGH Country House), there are so many favorites; there’s the step-back hutch in the kitchen, the pine cabinet in the office, the round dining table, a small french accent table with cabriole legs; and a round three-legged side table. It’s funny because I had been searching furiously for a three-legged side table since we moved in to place in between our two linen sofas in the living room, and of course I found one right after the house was photographed. That’s just how things work out sometimes. It’s interesting because as much as I love finding special vintage pieces, I’ve also let go of most each time we’ve moved for someone else to enjoy them. I’ve had scores of great furniture finds over the years, but I have a deep love for vases and vessels, and have amassed a collection of vintage and unique finds from my years of sourcing. Some were steals and other were splurges, but no matter, they make me so happy to have in my home. My collection is vast: from Spanish oil jars to French clay pots, and amphora vases to mijiu jars, and also rare stoneware, glass and ceramic vessels. Those are cycled out less frequently than the furniture, but once in a while it happens! The more, the merrier!
Has there ever been a vintage piece that you loved, but let go that you regret?
AGH: There have been several pieces that I wish worked out over the years, but sometimes the timing doesn’t line up. Back when we were still living at the AGH Farmhouse, I wanted a ten foot antique console table that I found on Facebook Marketplace, but didn’t have a place for it at the time. Not long after, I was on a dedicated search for that exact type of piece and had the perfect spot for it. I really regretted not just buying the piece in the moment, but I’ve learned, though, that there’ll always (usually) be another one.
What is the difference between antique and vintage?
AGH: The two words may be used interchangeably, but there is a difference. An antique is considered to be anything over 100 years old, and a vintage piece is typically less than 100 years old, but both equally loved and beautiful. We typically use the term “vintage” with our market pieces as many times we do not know the piece’s exact age and want to be cautious with any labels.