With the demand for pre-loved pieces at an all-time high, we share our top secondhand picks and how to source them
Right now, it seems as though you can spot Mario Bellini’s ‘Camaleonda’ sofa in practically every home you see. Or perhaps it’s a set of ‘Cescar’ cantilevered chairs by Marcel Breuer, or one of Gabriella Crespi’s flamboyant coffee tables from the 1970s.
Vintage has always been a thing – eschewing the box-fresh in favour of the gentle patina of pre-loved pieces is nothing new. But the obsession is greater than ever, and with so many savvy homeowners on the hunt for specific pieces, it’s become a frantic race to snap up the choicest designs. In this era of instant gratification, with its endless supply of newness, it’s a little surprising.
Why the sudden boom now?
Like so many things, the pandemic has had
a part to play. ‘The lockdown period definitely heightened the demand. It has exploded!’ confirms Nat Tillison of antiques shop Folie Chambre. ‘People are engaging with their surroundings more than ever. This has meant a reconnection to the meaning of home and the things we put in it.’
For Tillison and many others, the qualities of secondhand pieces – the craftsmanship, history and tales they tell – far outweigh the thrill of the new. ‘A sideboard arrived recently and I found a set of exam certificates from the 1950s tucked down the back. I love the depth that antiques bring to a home, the warmth of aged wood, the imperfections of old furniture,’ she enthuses. This soulfulness is precisely why antiques are so integral to interior designer Hollie Bowden’s work.
She says that one special object can often dictate the direction of a project: ‘I love the unpredictable nature of it, there’s such a thrill in finding that perfect piece.’
With our interest in pre-loved pieces at an all-time high,
it’s clear that secondhand is no longer second choice
What are the benefits of buying vintage? Aesthetics aside, there are practical benefits, too. ‘Sourcing vintage pieces has helped us to keep to our project deadlines regardless of supply chain issues over lockdown,’ points out Tiffany Duggan, founder of interior design firm Studio Duggan, citing coffee tables, lighting and mirrors by Willy Rizzo, Louis Sognot and Sergio Rodrigues as the most sought-after items. ‘It’s also a lovely way to be kinder to the environment,’ she adds.
With sustainability becoming a growing consideration for consumers, especially
younger generations, the eco argument is not to be overlooked – a new chest of drawers has a carbon footprint 16 times higher than that of its vintage equivalent, for example.
What are the new ways to find these must-have pieces? Technology is the primary protagonist of the boom. Whereas once sourcing vintage pieces meant having the time and energy to trawl auction houses or websites or brave intimidating showrooms, a curation of stylish stock can now be perused in the palm of your hand thanks to a fleet of Instagram dealers. ‘I think many people were previously put off by the perceived lack of affordability and accessibility,’ agrees Nat Tillison.
Demand is high and you have to be quick if you see something you like, as most items sell the instant they’re posted – indeed, some sellers have dispensed with ‘traditional’ websites entirely. Last year, Max Keys started posting daily ‘drops’ of stock on Instagram at 6pm as a way of reaching new people: ‘Most pieces sell within minutes – I wanted to make it accessible and fun. I think there’s an element of excitement, which in some ways does echo that of auctions,’ he explains, pointing to yet another reason why sourcing vintage is so addictive. Then there’s newly launched secondhand homeware platform Narchie. Styling itself as a ‘Depop for homeware’, the mobile-first, social marketplace offers a more seamless and engaging experience compared to sites such as Ebay, which have become flooded with cheap products from overseas.
Narchie is aimed squarely at a youthful audience that prides itself on creating unique, expressive spaces rather than going for an identikit Ikea look. ‘Millennials and Gen Z are definitely reshaping the way we buy homeware and furniture. I think sustainability is an important factor for them and they find more satisfaction buying one-of-a-kind pieces,’ says co-founder Harriet Wetton, who started the venture after becoming frustrated while trying to source vintage pieces from the usual online haunts.
Why is repairing pieces an art form not a chore? You only have to look at the popularity of TV shows such as the BBC’s The Repair Shop to confirm the nation’s shift in attitudes towards old objects, embracing their scars and scratches as part of the stories they tell. For artist Molly Martin, whose book The Art Of Repair (Short Books, £14.99) argues the case for giving things a second lease of life instead of banishing them to the bin, there is comfort and familiarity in the old. ‘Repairing something yourself can deepen your relationship to the object but also gives you a sense of confidence in your own abilities – and that can be a powerful and uplifting feeling, particularly in times of anxiety and uncertainty,’ she says.
As Martin points out in her book; ‘In our modern society we are actively encouraged to fight the process of ageing. We are told that ageing is bad and unattractive and that we must avoid it at all costs.’ It’s an attitude that frequently extends to encompass our furniture and belongings, too. Therefore, the repairing or rehoming of a secondhand object can be viewed as a political act, flying in the face of our fast-paced, frenzied consumer culture. So, in addition to their uniqueness, beautiful craftsmanship, lesser environmental impact and personal stories, maybe there’s another reason we’re so beguiled by antique and vintage pieces; because they remind us that it’s those imperfections that make us who we are.
‘MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z ARE RESHAPING THE WAY WE BUY HOMEWARE
AND FURNITURE’