It's an exciting time to be an antiques enthusiast. Whether you're a decades-long chinoiserie collector or a new devotee to all things Jean-Michel Frank, there's a renewed energy in the industry and more ways than ever before to shop for these pieces. The rise of companies like Chairish and the explosion of interest in the Round Top Antiques Fair are just glimpses into the exciting new frontier antiques shopping and collecting has to offer. New York-based designer and shop owner Anthony Baratta has been steeped in the wonderful world of antiques for 40 years and says he is noticing a major shift in the way we decorate with them as a new generation becomes interested in collecting.
"I would say there's a split in the thinking right now of how to do antiques in interiors," Baratta says. "I see a younger clientele that's trying to incorporate antiques in different ways than I'm used to, where they become much more of a feature piece in a room with a lot of other contemporary items. It's not all about a room being filled with just antiques anymore, though I 'm one of the old holdouts who wants to use as many antiques in a room as possible. The landscape is forever changing."
Baratta advises doing a bit of research and window shopping first to decide which categories or types of items you should buy vintage or antique. He says the great thing about a younger generation becoming more interested in antiques is that there is plenty of time to build a quality collection, meaning there's no need to rush to purchase a bunch of cheap mass reproductions in a matter of months. Instead, he recommends building a lovely and respectable collection over years that you can enjoy forever.
We asked Baratta and seven other top designers from across the country to divulge the antiques everyone should be investing in now to be ahead of the design curve and score some major resale value along the way.
Both Baratta and Toronto-based designer Philip Mitchell noted that the popularity of the mid-century modern trend get has led to a host of mass reproductions, which has promoted them to look beyond of this movement for future investing.
"What interests me right now is furniture from the '80s and '90s, as I am way stepped off of the mid-century thing," says Baratta. "Once things have been reproduced to the extent where you can find any kind of table or chair from that style in a wide variety of places, that's when I am pulling away."
While he says some of the furniture designs from these recent decades may be off-putting to some today, Baratta is more focused on the future of interiors versus what's trendy right now and believes these pieces from the 1980s and 1990s will soon have a place on the vintage market.
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L.A.-based designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard says he's also noticed a resurgence of interest in antiques, particularly among the younger buyers, as more enthusiasts are looking to mix old and new in a fresh and exciting way. And leave it to wildly popular period pieces like Netflix's Bridgerton to inspire the next generation of collectors.
"To me, the best bargain on the antiques market right now that I would advise collecting from is good Georgian and Regency furniture," says Bullard. "Chests of drawers, dining chairs, secretaries, and side tables-mostly English and even Irish-are still very reasonable at auction and have such beauty."
He says pieces from this era add depth and beautiful character to practically any space and expect prices to start going back up again soon. Bullard notes this is a great style for aspiring collectors to begin investing in as you can find high-quality items for just a few hundred dollars that will last a lifetime.
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Along with contemporary art, New York-based designer Joy Moyler says some of the best antiques she's advising her clients to invest in now are timepieces. She says that clocks in particular, offer a great return, and depending on the size, they can easily be moved around throughout the home and act like a piece of jewelry for your interiors.
"I truly appreciate ornate, well-detailed pieces, whether used in a traditional or modern environment, as they add a bit of tension in the room and are truly jewel-like," Moyler says. "I particularly look for stately pieces, like an antique French Empire-style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Mantle clock."
Moyler says to keep in mind that shopping pieces from other countries can significantly bump the prices, due to shipping costs, so you'll get the most for your money by shopping within the U.S.
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Mitchell says that he is currently embracing opulent Baroque-era pieces, from furniture with stone and metal details, oversized mirrors, crystal candelabras, and luxe fabrics that each feel like a work of art in themselves. He notes that even the most modern of homes will benefit from bringing in these 17th- and 18th-century items to create a one-of-a-kind design.
"I have always loved the juxtaposition between new and old," says Mitchell. "Hanging a bold abstract painting over a marble-topped Baroque console creates a sharp focal point and is a great way to add character and interest to any space. Now is the time to snap up affordable pieces to mix into your collection, no matter the style."
Mitchell notes that the combination of sustainability and quality that antiques offer brings major appeal to the next generation who is already uninterested in ordering a matching set of furniture from a catalog. He loves to peruse local auctions and respected antique markets for the opportunities to connect with dealers and see items in person.
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Birmingham-based designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas says you can't go wrong with collecting vintage items that ooze laid-back yet luxurious island glamour, as that look never goes out of style. She has a special affinity for British Colonial pieces that pair well with blue and white color schemes as well as lush palm fronds. However, she says these pieces can be tough to come by, so you'll want to snatch them up when they become available.
"Dark woods with golden caning and even bone inlay are favorites," says Chadduck. "A few pieces in this style are a great addition to any room, offering casual island vibes without being 'beachy.'"
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"As younger people spend more time in their homes and enjoy them for entertainment, I think the trend of 'homogeneity' may be fading away," says Boston-based designer Gary McBournie. "It's fun to entertain in spaces that do not look the same and to use vintage dinnerware and drinkware."
One type of statement-making decor that can be accessible at any age is a vintage light fixture, and McBournie especially loves mid-century Italian works to bring a colorful, shapely touch to your favorite entertaining spaces.
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Houston-based designer and shop owner Margaret Naeve Parker has been energized by collectible antiques and vintage items appealing to the next generation of clients. She often works with European dealers for her own boutique and says that 20th-century Danish and French furniture are worth prioritizing as investment pieces right now.
"Pieces by world-renowned post-war furniture designers such as the likes of Pierre Chapo, Charlotte Perriand, Otto Schulz, and Poul Kjærholm have continued to maintain value and gain," Parker says.
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Baratta is also currently excited by furniture and decor reproductions from early- to mid-18th-century France, which he says are great options for new and inspiring collectors looking to begin investing in accessible items.
"I love this whole idea of that look from my parents' time, and now I can finally see the attraction," Baratta says. "These styles offer a wide range, and they kind of make sense for investing in the world today because you can get quality items at good prices."
Baratta advises avoiding all the DIY refurbishing trends on social media in favor of investing in items that don't need repairs, as it has become increasingly difficult to find the right craftsmen and restoration experts to fix them up or offer advice. He also says the resale value of a piece will be diminished after your painting job than if it was left in its original finish.
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New York-based designer Charlotte Moss says that the pandemic gave us time to slow down and thoroughly examine our choices on many levels, one of them being the way we decorate and live in our homes. She notes that the rise of more prominent, trusted online retailers has made antiques shopping more accessible and appealing than ever to a wide range of buyers.
"I don't think it is so much about a certain type of antique to invest in as what appeals to someone," says Moss. "Find what gets you excited about living with it and buy the best quality you can. Going to antique shops and auctions and asking questions will accelerate your learning curve and put you in a confident purchasing mode with respect to style and value."
Moss says that her decades of experience in the industry has taught her to go out into the world to explore what's out there while also having an idea of who to go to for what items. She advises antiques newbies to check out in-person auctions to examine items in person and have a direct way to ask questions before trying their hands at online bidding. She says this will build one's confidence in knowing how to ask for condition reports and becoming equipped to evaluate pieces to determine whether or not they are the right investments.
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