Sourcing for vintage items: advice from our architects

What should you look for when thrifting for decor? 

Everything, from sofas and lamps to tableware. These are pieces with a history that evoke real emotion. But before you start hunting, let’s look at how to thrift like a pro by learning the difference between a period piece and a reproduction, as well as how to identify different styles so you don't get taken for a ride. 

Tips for successful thrifting

The price of an antique piece of furniture depends almost entirely on when it was made. It’s helpful to know its era and whether it’s a simple reproduction—known as a "style piece"—or an authentic "period piece." There are antique "style pieces" and then there are modern, mass-produced "style" fakes.  

So, how do you tell the difference? The price will depend heavily on this distinction. Provenance, signatures, and condition will help you narrow down the value of your thrifted find. 

To learn more about furniture styles by era, we recommend reading this comprehensive article.

A quick visit to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is also a great way to sharpen your knowledge and your eye for style. To really master the subject, head over to the Mobilier National in Paris. As part of an innovative and eco-friendly initiative, this institution—a heritage landmark since the 17th century—has entrusted 39 pieces to contemporary designers, giving them "carte blanche" to reinterpret the items through their own creative lens. This allows older furniture with little heritage value to be brought back into their collections.

If you’d like an expert opinion on a thrifted find or something you discovered in your grandmother’s attic, auction houses are the best place to go for advice. You can request an online appraisal at Drouot.

The best places to hunt for treasures, according to Studio Maison Kyka

When it comes to treasure hunting, there is only one way to do it: get out into the field—flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores—or search online for great deals, just like an adventurer on a treasure hunt. Two strategies often clash: those who go looking for a specific piece and those who prefer to let inspiration strike and find something they fall in love with.

The classics are flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, street fairs, and antique shows. Just check here and there to find dates and locations near you.

As a reminder, at garage sales, exhibitors are mostly private individuals selling their own items. At a flea market, exhibitors are primarily professional vendors, so you will generally find higher-value items than at garage sales. Unlike a flea market vendor, an antique dealer sells antique furniture and art objects at specialized shows, auction houses, and in their own shops. They assess the value of an item based on their expertise in art and furniture history. Unlike a private individual or a flea market vendor, they authenticate items, meaning they certify and guarantee the origin and value of a piece. For every item sold, they provide a guarantee to the customer (guarantee of value, origin, era, etc.), unlike flea market vendors, whose items are not guaranteed.

To find affordable pieces, we recommend:

Charity shops

Emmaüs shops, as well as their website, are ideal places to hunt for treasures while helping to fight poverty.

Online second-hand platforms

The must-haves are obviously LeBonCoin and Vinted. The latter has even opened its catalog to home goods. At Maison Kyka, we love the professional account @inventorium , which always has a lovely selection of decorative objects and tableware.

Circular resale offers

Like La Redoute's second-life site: La Reboucle.

Auction houses

Auction rooms are a unique world that you shouldn't be afraid to step into, as there are some lovely finds to be made. Find the auction schedule here. You also have the option to bid live without having to travel.

Flea markets

The iconic Saint-Ouen Flea Market brings together the largest number of antique dealers and second-hand traders in the world. Located at a northern gateway to Paris, opposite the 18th arrondissement, it is also the fifth most visited tourist site in France. It is open every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It consists of 12 covered "markets" and streets, each with its own specialty. Even just for a stroll, it is well worth the trip. We recommend the Biron and Paul Bert markets for unearthing lovely decor pieces, lighting, and tableware. For a feast for the eyes (or for those with a larger budget), the finest pieces can be found at the Serpette market. You might also find a Parisian fireplace or decorative elements to add authentic character to your home. Make the most of your trip to the north of Paris by spending a night at the Mob Hotel, a design gem signed by Starck.

Marketplaces specializing in decor and furniture

The essential Selency allows you to buy vintage decor offered by individuals and (many) professionals at reasonable prices. The commissions are lower than on other platforms, which is ideal for finding fair prices. We love that items are categorized by style and/or era. This makes it easy to find unique pieces that suit our taste. Your favorite finds can easily find a place in your home. The final plus is the easy and affordable delivery for all furniture, thanks to shipping via Cocolis or Selency. Go for it! In the same spirit, the Design Market platform and its "ICONE" tab stand out, as it is very practical for searching for design staples like an Eames or Breuer chair.

The website DeBonGoût and its apartment-boutique offer a constantly refreshed selection of bohemian-style decor with transparent origins, accessible pricing, and always “in good taste.” You can find lovely gems in the home department at BHV. In the same spirit, Marchand d'Oublis and its pieces will turn your sanctuary into a charming country home.

Galleries

For 20th-century design enthusiasts, the lovely Galerie Paradis offers beautiful pieces online and in its showroom. And in the same spirit of refined, elevated design: la Lune Galerie.

Boutiques and concept stores

A few highlights:

• the “cabinet of curiosities” boutique by Marin Montagut;
• for fans of Scandinavian style, Maison Nordik with its showroom space and online site where designer pieces sit alongside 50s to 70s classics;
• the concept store Capharnaüm for hunting down vintage items for our little ones' rooms, as well as the sunny boutique Citron 12. 

To learn more about the topic

• Gwendal Drouelle's Instagram account @gueuledebreton_design 
• The podcast “How to hunt for vintage treasures? Advice from a professional”
• The ultra-curated selection from Le Bonbon Paris
• Trendy shopping at the Saint-Ouen Flea Market