Hunting for vintage treasures: tips from our architects

What can you hunt for in interior design?

Everything — from a sofa to a lamp, including crockery. These are pieces with a story, objects that stir emotions. But before diving into the hunt, it’s essential to understand how to shop smartly: knowing how to tell an original period piece from a reproduction, and recognising the different styles so you don’t get misled.

Expert tips for successful treasure hunting

The price of an antique depends almost entirely on its date of manufacture. That’s why it’s crucial to determine whether you’re looking at an authentic period piece or a simple reproduction, known as a style piece. Be aware that some so-called “antique-style” furniture is actually contemporary, mass-produced.

So how do you make the distinction? Price will vary greatly depending on this. Provenance, signature, and condition will all help define the true value of your find.

For a deeper dive into furniture styles by period, we recommend reading this comprehensive guide.

A visit to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris is also a fantastic way to refine your eye for styles. For another perspective, head to the Mobilier National, a heritage institution dating back to the 17ᵗʰ century. In a bold, eco-conscious initiative, the institution entrusted 39 historical pieces of modest heritage value to contemporary designers, giving them “carte blanche” to reinterpret them. These once-forgotten pieces will now reintegrate the collections.

If you’ve stumbled upon a piece in your grandmother’s attic or brought something back from a flea market and want an expert opinion, auction houses are the best place to seek advice. You can even request an appraisal online through Drouot.

The best places to shop according to Studio Maison Kyka

There’s only one real way to treasure-hunt: hit the ground — flea markets, garage sales, recycling centres — or explore the web like a modern-day adventurer chasing hidden gems. Two approaches often emerge: those who hunt for a very specific piece, and those who let themselves be guided by instinct, waiting for that crush.

The classics include flea markets, garage sales, estate clearances, charity sales, and antiques fairs. A quick look online or in local listings will point you to dates and venues near you.

At garage sales (vide-greniers), most exhibitors are private individuals selling their own belongings. At flea markets (brocantes), the exhibitors are primarily professional dealers, which means the objects you’ll find there are generally of higher value than at garage sales.

By contrast, antiques dealers sell at specialised fairs, in auction houses, and in their own galleries or shops. Thanks to their expertise in art history and furniture, they are able to appraise the true value of an object. Unlike a private seller or a flea market dealer, an antiques dealer also authenticates — in other words, certifies and guarantees the origin, period, and value of a piece. For each object sold, they provide the client with a guarantee (of value, provenance, or authenticity), something you won’t receive from a flea market dealer, whose items come without certification.

To uncover more affordable pieces, we recommend:

Charity shops

‍Emmaüs stores — and their website — are ideal for bargain hunting while also supporting the fight against poverty.

Online second-hand platforms

‍The essentials remain Le Bon Coin and Vinted. The latter recently expanded into home goods. At Maison Kyka, we particularly love the professional account @inventorium, always curating beautiful decorative objects and tableware.

Circular resale programs

‍For example, La Redoute’s second-life platform La Reboucle.

Auction houses

‍Auction rooms can feel intimidating, but they’re a world full of treasures waiting to be discovered. Check upcoming sales online — and remember, you can also bid live without leaving home.

Flea markets

‍The legendary Puces de Saint-Ouen host the largest concentration of antique dealers and flea market vendors in the world. Located just north of Paris, across from the 18ᵗʰ arrondissement, it’s also the fifth most visited tourist site in France. Open every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the Puces consist of 12 markets, each with its own specialty. For charming décor pieces, lighting, and tableware, head to Biron and Paul Bert. For high-end collectors, the finest treasures are at Serpette. You might even stumble upon a Parisian fireplace mantel or architectural features to bring authentic character into your home. And for a design-forward stay nearby, spend the night at the Mob Hotel, a Philippe Starck creation.

Specialised design marketplaces

Selency is a must. This platform offers vintage furniture and décor from both private individuals and professionals, with lower commissions than other sites, meaning fairer prices. We love that items are categorised by style and period, making it easy to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Affordable delivery for furniture through Cocolis or Selency is another major plus.

In the same spirit, Design Market stands out with its “ICONE” section, perfect for sourcing iconic design pieces like an Eames or Breuer chair.

DeBonGoût — both its online shop and its Paris apartment showroom — offers a bohemian-spirited selection, regularly refreshed, accessibly priced, and always in impeccable taste. You can also spot treasures at the BHV home department. Similarly, Marchand d’Oublis curates timeless pieces to give your home the charm of a countryside retreat.

Galleries

‍For 20ᵗʰ -century design enthusiasts, Galerie Paradis showcases refined pieces online and in its Paris showroom. In a similar vein of pure, elevated design: Lune Galerie.

Boutiques and concept stores

In no particular order:

• Marin Montagut’s “cabinet of curiosities” boutique;
• For Scandinavian design enthusiasts, Maison Nordik, with its showroom space and online shop where designer pieces sit alongside mid-century classics from the 1950s to the 1970s;
• The concept store Capharnaüm, perfect for hunting vintage treasures for children’s rooms, as well as the sunny boutique Citron 12.

Resources to go further

• Instagram: Gwendal Drouelle’s account @gueuledebreton_design
• Podcast: “How to Hunt for Treasures? A Professional’s Advice”
• The ultra-curated selection by Le Bonbon Paris
• A trendy shopping session at the Puces de Saint-Ouen