Pro designers don’t shop like you do.
They know what to grab off the rack in seconds. They know exactly what to walk past without breaking stride. It isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about utility.
If you’re digging through secondhand bins hoping for treasure, listen up. The next decorator will snatch these pieces before you can decide.
What Pros Grab First
Three-Drawer Dressers
Kevin O’Gara from Kevin Francis Design hunts for them constantly. Why? Storage.
“Nearly every room needs one,” he says. Clothes in a bedroom. Linens in a dining hall. A makeshift bar in the living room. Solid wood chests with three drawers are nearly extinct in reasonable pricing tiers these days. Grab one. You won’t regret it.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Look at the back.
If it’s handmade, O’Gara wants it. Moroccan. Persian. Turkish. It adds soul. He says you can layer a smaller vintage piece over a huge modern rug for that designed-in feel.
Real Brass
Fake gold looks cheap. Real brass ages beautifully.
O’Gara looks for lamps and candleholders. How do you tell? The patina. Real brass gets dark. It turns that specific greenish tint over time. Fake brass just looks worn.
Glassware
Madelaine Mayer, founder of AD:ROIT, collects glass. Vases. Candy dishes. Orna-ment-als that start conversations.
“These retain or increase value,” she says. Plus, they look good sitting there.
Vintage Books
Not just reading material. Decor.
Tiffany Skilling agrees. Out-of-print volumes bring depth and history to a shelf. They look collected, not bought at a chain bookstore. Mayer chases them because many are only available in vintage shops now.
Pairs
Symmetry is hard to find by accident.
“I’m always drawn to true pairs,” Skilling says. Nightstands. Mirrors. Chests. Even random decorative objects. If they match, they feel intentional. They balance the room.
Don’t leave one behind. Take both.
Loose Art
Unframed? Fine.
Skilling likes raw etchings or lithographs. She brings them to a professional to frame. You get custom work that keeps the vintage character. It’s tailored to the space, not mass-produced.
“Create something really tailored while still incorporating vintage,” she suggests.
What They Walk Away From
Ceramics Without Marks
Check the bottom. No maker’s mark? Leave it.
O’Gara sees no mark and assumes it’s mass-produced sludge. “There are plenty of handmade options out there,” he says. Why buy the unknown when the signed item is right next to it?
Vintage Fabric
Unless you’re inspecting every square inch for stains… skip it.
Mayer refuses to risk it. Markets are loud and busy. You don’t have time to scrutinize remnants for imperfections. She buys fabric new to guarantee quality. Don’t gamble on old cloth.
Anything Too “Faux”
If it tries to look like something else but fails, pass.
Skilling skips items that scream mass-production or fake finishes. Authenticity matters. If it reads cheap or artificial, it ruins the room’s vibe.
So. What will you buy today?
The choice is yours, really. But if you see a matching pair of brass nightstands, move fast. They rarely stay put for long. 🕰️
