Antique and Vintage Finds Bring Character to Any Home

Everything that is old can be new again, at least for the right owner. Whether they enjoy older styles, the history behind older pieces or just like the thrill of the find, many people are drawn to antique or vintage furniture, art and décor.

Whether you look online, go to estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores or shop in person at vintage stores, you can find a myriad of items that you can use to decorate your home.

Owner of Forage Vintage + Goods Natalie Wolfe

One good place to start is at a retail store that specializes in vintage furniture, such as Forage Vintage + Goods in Dormont. Owner Natalie Wolfe has been shopping secondhand all of her life. “Money was tight, and I was one of five kids; if you couldn’t find it secondhand or make it, you weren’t going to get it,” she said. From years of shopping at estate sales and thrift stores, she learned to be able to spot a bargain. “The affordability of secondhand versus new and also the quality of secondhand versus new is incomparable,” she said.

Wolfe hits estate sales regularly, often prompted by a phone call from a family; everything she has in the store is sourced in Pittsburgh. Wolfe also restores much of the furniture herself, defining restoration as “…bringing things back to life the way that they were.”

Candles for sale at Forage Vintage + Goods

Although she carries all kinds of goods at her store, like artwork, lighting, glassware, clothing and ceramics, she specializes in furniture. She said that primarily, clients are seeking midcentury modern, which, like the name suggests, represents pieces that were manufactured in the middle of the last century and are characterized by simple, clean lines made from natural materials. “The number one request is for a midcentury modern credenza; everyone wants those for their dining room, but they are the hardest thing to find and keep in stock. They are also looking for dressers and dining table sets,” said Wolfe. “Midcentury modern had a lot of emphasis on craftsmanship and modern design; that is what people yearn for. Craftsmanship is harder to find today. It exists in older pieces.”

People are drawn to older furniture for a variety of reasons but primarily, it’s the quality. Wolfe said that a piece of furniture that was built 100 years ago could last for another 100 years. Plus, you can often get a pretty good deal on high-quality pieces. “I do believe that there is magic in pieces that have lived already, that were made for someone else by someone else in a different time, and we get to bring it into our home. A lot of home goods in our houses will outlive us, so we get to be their caretakers,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe said that there is certain vintage that can work well in any home, such as mirrors, artwork and handmade rugs. No matter the item, Wolfe said to buy the things you love, even if it’s not perfect. She also loves “era mixing.” “Find the things that speak to you. If it speaks to you, it’s going to work. They will come together in a weird, magical way,” she said.

The difference between “vintage” and “antique” is a matter of age. Though the lines are a bit blurred, an accepted definition of “vintage” is anything that is between 20-25 years old and 100 years old, while an “antique” is about 80-100 years old.

Wexford Antiques has been in business for 60 years and, as it is structured as a co-op, the store carries items from 20 dealers. Customers can while away several hours in the store, which, throughout two floors of the main building and a small sister annex building right next door, carries everything from books to clothing to home furnishings to artwork to antique jewelry and much more.

An aerial view of Wexford Antiques.

Joshua Marino’s parents, Jim and Marianne Marino, started the business in 1966 and are still at the helm today, working behind the counter every Saturday. Joshua and his wife, Shannon, are one of the dealers. They specialize in a number of different categories, one being antique hardware, such as latches, hinges, hooks, knobs and drawer pulls. “The antique shops of old are shifting. You'll have the old-timers, but it's catching the attention of the younger generation. This new demographic of customers creates a demand for another body of merchandise. They tend to be drawn to a more streamlined design and practical function. They are looking forward into the midcentury modern time period to find that style,” said Joshua.

Echoing what Wolfe said, Joshua said that people are clamoring to decorate their homes with vintage or antique pieces because of the quality of craftsmanship that existed back then. “You could buy a piece of furniture at the turn of the century that will last longer than something built today,” he said.

“The appeal is there is less consumerism overall with the younger generation. They want to buy things thoughtfully, not just to collect kitschy things. They are more practical and want something that may be nostalgic and sustainable. If they can find it already in existence, they’d rather get that,” added Shannon.

In terms of figuring out what antique or vintage pieces work well, the Marinos said that because style is such a personal thing, to just trust your intuition. You do not have to have a house full of antiques to bring in some antique pieces to fit a certain space.

That being said, they said that there are certain categories of items that are trending right now, from Pyrex dishes to midcentury lamps to mission-style oak furniture, as well as Art Nouveau and Art Deco. “Merchandise from the period of the ’20s and ’30s has always been popular, with Art Nouveau being more organic and Art Deco being more geometric,” said Joshua.

Although people can certainly shop online for antiques, the Marinos say that nothing beats the in-person shopping experience. “The tactile nature of shopping in person is really important to people,” said Shannon. Plus, customers can take a closer look at the quality of what they are purchasing and can take the opportunity to ask questions of the staff in person.

“If you like something, you will be compelled to pay attention to it. You will be drawn to the things that communicate to you. It will be like a lesson in knowing who you are and will open up the doorway to what styles and aesthetics you respond to,” said Joshua.