In the ever-evolving world of interior design, antiques continue to captivate professionals who seek character, craftsmanship, and enduring style in their spaces. From French market finds to mid-century masterpieces, seasoned designers consistently turn to vintage treasures to enrich contemporary homes with history and soul.
Country Living spoke with six prominent figures in the design world, each sharing their preferred antique pieces and insights into what makes these items invaluable in a modern setting.
Tanya Chancellor: Lighting, Ceramics, and Artwork
Interior designer Tanya Chancellor, founder of Mouse Interiors, emphasizes that vintage pieces bring a level of charm and quality that new items often lack. “It’s always where I start when sourcing something truly special,” she says.
Chancellor gravitates toward vintage lighting, especially 1970s Danish or Belgian glass fixtures, which she finds ideal for bathrooms—provided they’re safely installed. She also highlights French ceramics and large-scale Swedish oil paintings as go-to items that add depth and color to a room. Wooden shelves and quirky stools also make her list for their practical and aesthetic value.
Sophie Salata: Storage and Brutalist Statements
Sophie Salata, Head of PR at Vinterior, offers a unique perspective informed by thousands of antique listings. According to Salata, designers are increasingly drawn to burr walnut Art Deco sideboards, rustic French storage, and dark wood furniture with a brutalist flair.
Pieces by Charles Dudouyt and iconic designs like the Togo sofa remain highly sought after, valued for their ability to soften modern architectural spaces with vintage warmth.
Amy Adams: Dining Tables and Coloured Glassware
Interior designer Amy Adams, founder of No Ordinary Space, champions the antique dining table for its durability and lived-in charm. She often seeks out Victorian pine or French farmhouse tables, celebrating their well-worn character as ideal for busy family life.
Adams also collects coloured glassware, favoring unique shapes and hues to enliven table settings. She sources items from Sunbury Antiques Market, Vinterior, Etsy, and boutique sellers like Sundial Store.
Ali Allen: Textiles With a Story
Photographer Ali Allen decorates her Cotswolds home with layers of vintage textiles, a nod to her heritage—her grandfather established the Saltaire textile mills in Yorkshire. From old linens draped over beds to fabric ribbons on cupboard handles, Allen uses cloth as both decoration and history.
She advises looking for hand-woven brocades, damasks, and naturally dyed fabrics that show age through seams or subtle fading, available at markets like Portobello or through global platforms such as Etsy.
Franky Rousell: Sideboards and Decorative Accessories
Franky Rousell, founder of Jolie design studio, treasures vintage accessories and furniture with patina. During a recent trip to Italy, she discovered a silver chrome candelabra and ceramic pieces that now serve as focal points in her home.
Rousell praises antique sideboards, particularly for families with children, noting that wear and tear often enhance their character. Her own Mid-century Greaves & Thomas teak sideboard is a standout example.
Camilla Clarke: Chairs and Sofas with Sculptural Appeal
Camilla Clarke, creative director of Albion Nord, believes antique seating offers unmatched silhouettes. “Antique chairs and sofas have far more interesting shapes than anything you can buy off the shelf today,” she says.
Clarke often reupholsters these pieces in linen or jewel-toned velvet to blend old-world form with contemporary flair. Antique fabrics are also repurposed for cushions or framed as artwork, ensuring each piece is truly one of a kind.
These design professionals prove that antiques are more than just nostalgic relics—they are integral to creating spaces that are rich in texture, personality, and timeless elegance. From sideboards that have witnessed generations of family life to textiles steeped in artisanal history, antiques continue to shape the way modern homes are built, decorated, and lived in.
