5 Reasons to Shop Vintage
Photo via House and Garden UK, home of Sarah Peake
1. Discover unique pieces in a world of mass production.
Ever walk into a friend’s home and think, “Oh I have that chair… oh and that rug too...” (reminds me of the Friend’s episode of Phoebe and the Pottery Barn apothecary table). This is bound to happen when most Americans shop at the same big-brand stores for home decor. These stores often copy each others designs of the best-selling pieces, then advertises these “must-have” products to us in traditional ads and through influencers sharing them in a perfectly curated social media post. I don’t know about you, but I want my home to be a reflection of my personal style, not me and 50 million other targeted millennials. The other downside of this is that it can make it harder to decipher what you’re genuinely drawn to vs. an aesthetic that is pushed on you from every angle that it just starts to grow on you. This doesn’t mean my own home doesn’t have a few pieces from these big brands and that you should avoid them at all costs, but rather that it’s good to remember that the less we rely on those stores to decorate our homes, the more unique and personal our spaces will start to feel.
2. Better quality pieces (most of the time).
Most things are not made as well as they once were. This is mainly because we continue to find cheaper ways to make jusssst about everything we use on a daily basis, which has its benefits, but also many downsides. This is true for large items like furniture and textiles, and also for the small details and decor items we fill our homes with. When shopping for vintage pieces, I recommend starting by looking for quality and timeless materials that will continue to age well like wood, metals, glass, and ceramics. This is how I source most of the vintage pieces available in the shop!
3. Create a layered look (AKA the key to a well-designed space).
Whether you’re flipping through magazines, walking into a dreamy hotel room, or watching a Nancy Meyers movie, do you ever notice that these well-designed spaces have SOMETHING about them that makes them look and feel beautiful, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? It’s safe to assume that it is due to the power of layering. Layering is the magical ingredient that adds depth and atmosphere to spaces. It makes a space not only beautiful, but one that welcomes you with wide-open arms and makes you want to melt into that perfectly-styled armchair and never leave. How do you layer a space? Well, it’s nearly impossible without incorporating vintage pieces. A well-layered space mixes textures, patterns, sizes of objects, materials, and color, and then brings them all together in one cohesive look. If you only allow yourself to shop for one style - or worse, at one store - than it’s nearly impossible to create a layered look full of texture and character.
4. Learn new bits of history.
By no means will you find me watching antiquing shows to learn about the history and value of a coin or vase, but I do love to find a piece of art or object that I’m drawn to and then dig a little further to figure out more about its history (original function, maker, etc.) It’s fun to learn those facts from the past, and often times it will make me feel even more connected to that piece because of its story.
5. It’s the most earth-friendly, responsible way to shop.
I saved the most important for last. First, it’s important to note that the most sustainable products are the ones you don’t buy. But for those times when you are looking to purchase a product for your home, one of the most responsible things you can do is to spend time browsing local and online shops that resell or upcycle previously used items. Money has power and where you spend it matters. Buy vintage or buy from small and local businesses first— the impact is massive. At The Sunday Collection we aim to bring you beautiful and fun pieces for your space that help express who you are, make you feel at home, and allow you to purchase with a clean conscious knowing that all of our products are previously used, upcycled, or designed and made by independent creators.
Why do you shop vintage? I’d love to hear! (bonus points if you pass on your favorite vintage shops for us to check out…)