“Collecting” is a peculiar word. It can evoke images of experts and intelligentsia gathered at auction houses, cornering the market on rare, impossible-to-find and harder-to-understand artifacts. (How James Bond supervillain does that sound)? This trepidation around collecting can make the simple pleasure of buying pieces you love or want to understand better feel impossibly out of reach, or appropriate only for a select few. But we’re here to tell you: It doesn’t have to be so complicated. It’s for everybody.
Collecting is all about finding things you love to make your personal spaces brighter. Whether that’s antique furniture, a specific type of art, ships in bottles, or vintage pickle jars… hey, who are we to judge? Do the things you love. With that in mind, we connected with nine designers who love collecting in their own way for tips about how they make it enjoyable and worthwhile. Read on for their advice and search away to your heart’s content.
Breeze Giannasio
“Collecting is typically an unconscious process — you look up and realize you have five of something to which your heart is inexplicably and repeatedly drawn. I personally have dozens of collections (some functional, some purely aesthetic): vintage textiles, earthenware and pottery, black and white photography, odd portraits of women who seem to have a story to tell, pen and ink drawings, woodblock prints, ginger jars, design coffee table books… the list goes on! Go for quality and soul — the saying goes, “buy quality, and you only cry once!” But heart should lead the charge, always. I am personally fond of things with patina and soul — it adds depth to any interior.”
Regan Billingsley
“No matter the age or style of your home, adding some antique furniture can give it a sense of history that creates a welcoming and familiar environment. Just one piece per room is enough, and it doesn’t have to be something incredibly valuable. In fact, sometimes pieces that are marked up, scratched, and a bit damaged add to a lived-in feel. We balance old and new by incorporating antiques with contemporary pieces to maintain traditional roots with an updated, fresh aesthetic. To start, think about the style you want to collect — from where in the world and what time period? We look for antiques online, at local shops, and fairs. Also, you never know what you’ll find in a friend’s attic.”
Shannon Ggem
“Edit as you go. More tailored collections with the best pieces tell the best visual story. As you get more pieces, consider each existing piece and remove those that are damaged, have no emotional value or that you simply don’t like anymore. Be specific about the type and subject matter of things you collect. The tighter your criteria, the better the collection tends to look. This unified enamelware collection is not only all nautical themed, but also all by the same maker.”
Jackie Armour, JMA Interior Design
“It was love at first sight, after seeing a blue and white porcelain cover story in House Beautiful in the 80s. The story made me understand the relevance and timeless nature of the pieces. I began finding vintage pieces in local antique stores. Blue and white porcelain works with any style of interiors…for me, it’s a classic and I love to use it in a multitude of ways!”
Sean Anderson
“When I’m shopping, I always gravitate toward things I’ve never seen before. Interesting furniture and fabrics, uncommon objects, and unique art frequently find a home within my designs. I’m on a constant pursuit of all things unusual, and that’s the kind of thing you find when collecting.”
Sarah Barnard
“The first step is educating yourself on different types of antiques. Did you know that an authentic antique must be over 100 years old? A great place to start is online, because you can research and compare options from dealers worldwide.”
Gretchen Murdock, MODTAGE Design
“It’s important to establish an emotional connection with the piece you’re looking to acquire. For me, there is often an element of nostalgia in the items I collect, as with these black-and-white photos that make this reading corner work.”
Scott Sanders
I collect contemporary art because it is a reflection of what is going on in the world today, created by artists living in our time. This colorful, eye-catching piece is by Sean Mellyn and was photographed in the Printing House in New York.
Lee Melahn, Pleasant Living
“Find what makes you smile and makes your heart beat a bit faster. Collecting is for everyone. Whether you source at flea markets or you buy at auction houses, anyone can collect!”
