10/15/2026
One of my favorite things about collecting vintage and antiques is finding pieces that make a home feel like it has a story to tell.
Over the years, both as a collector and now as an antique dealer, I’ve learned that some of the best things to bring home aren’t necessarily the biggest, oldest, or most expensive finds. Sometimes it’s a beautiful set of glasses, an interesting piece of artwork, or a little decorative object that adds just the right amount of character to a room.
When I’m browsing antique shops, I’m always keeping an eye out for a few things:
🐎 Equestrian decor: Horse sculptures, bookends, sporting prints, and anything with a little English countryside charm. These pieces are timeless and look especially beautiful mixed into bookshelves and studies.
🍸 Vintage barware: Interesting glassware is one of my favorite things to collect. Look for unusual colors, etched details, gold accents, and recognizable makers. Even a mismatched collection can look beautiful displayed together.
🍽️ Dinnerware & serving pieces: Beautiful plates, silverplate, miniature goblets, and unique serving utensils. I love finding pieces that make an ordinary dinner feel a little more special.
🖼️ Original artwork & vintage prints: Don’t overlook the art section! Interesting subjects, beautiful frames, and pieces that speak to your personal taste can add so much personality to a home.
🐟 Small decorative objects: Brass animals, metal sculptures, pottery, and other little curiosities. These are often the pieces that make a bookshelf or tabletop feel collected rather than decorated.
My biggest piece of advice? Don’t shop for vintage/ antiques just because they’re vintage/antiques. Look for things you genuinely love, can imagine using, and will enjoy looking at for years to come.
A home filled with pieces collected over time will always be more interesting to me than one furnished in a single shopping trip.
Save this for your next antique shopping trip so you have a few ideas of what to keep an eye out for! And tell me, what’s something you can NEVER pass up when you’re antiquing? 🤎
