Four Principles for Buying Vintage Furniture and Home Decor
L’sle-sur-la-Sorgue, July 2025
That isn’t a ‘glow.’ Just plain old sweat from a day of antiquing in the heat.
The picture above is from my recent antiquing trip in Provence, France. It is the only semi-decent picture I could find of myself. Literally, every other picture was of me grimacing. I thought, “how can I look so miserable doing something I love so much?” Truth be told, while I loved every second of the experience, but it was exhausting - mentally and physically. Not only did I have to battle the unseasonably hot weather, but running through my head the entire time I browsed each vendor’s stall were an endless number of questions:
Do I love it?
Will I regret it if I don’t buy it?
Is it unique?
Does it align with my/Maddenda’s style?
Is it worth it?
How’s the quality?
Is it in good condition?
Will it fit?
Do I have a spot for it?
Do I need it?
Etc, Etc, Etc……..
What I discovered, though, is that these questions weren’t unique to buying overseas. Whether I’m antiquing in France or vintage shopping in Edmonton, these questions remained the same. In addition, a lot of these questions are redundant. Given this, I’ve boiled these endless questions down into four principles to follow when buying vintage furniture and home decor pieces.
1. Buy What Sparks Joy In You
Marie Kondo has a philosophy referred to as the KonMari method, which centers on the idea of keeping only items that “spark joy”. When all else fails, this is your north star. If you walk past something and it catches your eye and makes you happy, then trust your gut. Buy it if….
…. you can’t walk away from it,
…. you keep thinking about it,
…. you keep circling back to it,
…..you’ll regret not buying it.
The pieces that continue to bring me joy are the same ones that sparked joy when I first spotted them. The pieces that I thought I should buy because it was a deal, or because they are trendy, are the ones I end up regretting. Don’t buy it if the piece doesn't genuinely resonate with you.
Vintage MCM Clock
I found this clock at a vintage store in Palm Springs, California. I had no idea how I was going to get it back to Edmonton or where I was going to put it, but I bought it. It now sits in my front sitting room. I still love the organic form of it. Each time I look at it it sparks joy in me.
2. Buy What Aligns With Your Style
Over the years people have indicated that I have a particular ‘style.’ That kind of intrigued me. What did they mean? I’ve always loved clothing and using it as a fun, creative way to express myself, but I had never put much thought into defining my style.
A while back I heard stylist Alexis Honce talk about this very thing - the idea of coming up with words or descriptors that define your style. Some of the words that came to mind when I did this exercise were:
Classic
Edgey/Unexpected
Casual, but elevated
Vintage
You may find that the same descriptors you use to describe your clothing style align with your interior design style. That is true for me. I like a home with classic elements (stones, moulding), that isn’t too stuffy, but has an element of refinement to it. It also needs to incorporate vintage elements and have something unexpected or edgy in the space.
Your home should be a reflection of you, and the pieces you bring into it should resonate with your personal style. Similarly, if you're sourcing for a business, every item should enhance your brand's image. Don't just buy something because it's vintage or a good deal; consider how it will integrate with your existing decor or brand identity.
The Art That Is Life
This was posted by @markdsikes and has been recently circulating on Instagram. It has resonated with many people including myself. It speaks to the connection between interior design and fashion (among other arts).
3. Buy Quality Construction
It’s easy to get swept away by a beautiful design or a charming patina, but the underlying construction is paramount. Before you even consider how it looks, examine how the piece is made. Steer clear of fast furniture. This is mass-produced furniture that is made quickly and cheaply. Fast furniture is often made from cheap materials like particle board, plastic veneers and MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) that do not last. Instead look for pieces that have solid wood construction. Is the frame of the sofa solid? Are the drawers in the dresser dovetail joints? In addition, look for any cracks, tears, chips or dents. These don’t necessarily mean don’t buy it. Remember, the beauty of vintage lies in its history; embrace the unique story each piece tells through its imperfections. However, it is important to tell the difference between a charming scuff and structural damage that will compromise the item's integrity or usability. If you do decide to restore a quality piece, consider what level of restoration is truly necessary. Sometimes, trying to make a vintage piece look brand new can strip it of its unique appeal. In addition, it can add up, which leads me to my next principle.
Quality Construction
I purchased this vintage secretary desk a few years ago. It is solid rosewood, has dovetail drawers and is in mint condition. No scratches, dents and no refurbishing needed.
4. Understand The Piece’s True Value
Vintage pricing can be highly subjective. What one seller considers a valuable antique, another might see as junk. Do your research! Familiarize yourself with common vintage furniture brands (e.g., Mid-Century Modern designers, specific antique styles) and their typical market values. Google Lens has made this much easier. Take a picture of the piece you are interested in, upload it and Google Lens will bring up comparable pieces and what they are selling for.
It is also important to consider restoration costs. A piece in excellent condition will naturally command a higher price than one needing significant repair costs. When you know the repair costs you can factor that into your negotiation with the vendor. If you have a $1500 chair budget and a chair you like is listed at $1000, but requires an additional $1000 for reupholstering, then this purchase only works if you can negotiate the chair's price down to $500.
Research Using Google Lens
I found these MCM chairs on Facebook Marketplace (image on left). The image on the right shows the output when you load an image into Google Lens. It told me they are Anders Jensen (a Danish designer) chairs and showed me similar listings and prices they are resaling for.
Many people may argue there should be a fifth principle that says ‘Buy it if it serves a purpose.’ I don’t agree with this principle. Ultimately, the best vintage purchases are those that bring a sense of history, personality, and genuine sense of joy to your home. If you are interested in bringing more soulful pieces of furniture into your home, then take a look at the pieces listed on Maddenda; there may be something for your home. You can also follow Maddenda on Instagram (@mad.denda) for all its newly available vintage furniture, home decor and lighting pieces.
