Decorating pros share their advice for scoring treasures thatll stand the test of time.
The simplest way to make a room feel cozy and lived-in?
What should you be looking for?
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper
How do you know if the price is right?
We turned to design experts from across the South for a little treasure hunting know-how.
Seeing museum-quality period pieces in person educates your eye like nothing else.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
After that, it’s easy to spot a winner online or at local antiques shops.
They generally also have higher quality materials and construction.
Furniture over the last 100 years has been mass-produced, while anything antique was made by hand.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling by Lindsey Ellis Beatty
In addition to the construction or production of furniture, antique wood is actually quite different from modern wood.
For these, it’s helpful to ask the seller for additional images, says Dallas designerNoel Pittman.
you could also find wonderful pieces on estate and auction sites likeInvaluableandLive Auctioneers.
Are the bones good?
Maybe it just needs new fabric,a paint job, or new hardware.
Don’t miss out on a great piece just because its current state doesn’t work.
Strike a Balance
“Being a Gemini and a designer, Im a sucker for a pair.
Its the those showstopper antiques that really are the best.”
I then go to either Facebook Marketplace or local shops to find unique pieces.
