Unearthing Unique Style: Australia’s Top Designers Share Their Vintage Hunting Grounds
Creating a home that truly reflects your personality and individual style is a journey that goes far beyond simply browsing showrooms or filling online shopping carts. It’s about developing an innate sense – a knack for spotting the inherent beauty in overlooked pieces and artfully combining them with others to weave a narrative – your narrative. When striving for a home that feels intrinsically ‘you’, relying solely on mainstream retailers for every item simply won’t cut it. This is precisely why vintage and antique stores have become veritable design meccas for interior designers and stylists across Australia. After all, where else can you unearth such a rich tapestry of one-of-a-kind finds?
To discover the prime locations for sourcing these coveted vintage treasures, we tapped into the expertise of some of Australia’s leading interior designers. We asked them about their go-to haunts for vintage furniture, antique pieces, and unique decor for their own personal spaces. Here’s a curated list of their favourite spots, straight from the mouths of the design pros.
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Designer Picks for Vintage Treasures
Richard Misso, The Stylesmiths
Richard Misso confesses to an obsession with vintage finds that bear the marks of time – pieces that are worn, imperfect, and brimming with character. He champions The Vintage Shed as a brilliant source for accessories, bookshelves, and an eclectic range spanning Art Deco to the 1970s. He describes it as a genuine treasure hunt within a sprawling shed. For a curated mix of predominantly European vintage pieces, including lighting, sofas, coffee tables, lamps, accessories, and artwork, Castorina in Fitzroy is a consistent favourite. “I love popping in because you never know what you’ll find,” he notes. Nicholas & Alistair is another top choice for “incredible cool vintage pieces.”
Jacinta Woods, Woods & Warner
Jacinta Woods highlights The Merchants Warehouse in Annandale as a place that subtly draws you in before completely captivating you. Her initial visit, a spontaneous lunchtime detour during a project in Forest Lodge, yielded unexpected delights. Within minutes, she found herself grinning like a child in a cavern of wonders. The store’s layout is a significant part of its charm, with each corner revealing another cluster of vintage shops overflowing with personality. Mid-century pieces practically beg to be adopted, old-school lights whisper tales etched into their enamel, quirky art commands attention, and fashion racks overflow with fabulous one-off garments. She even spent a good ten minutes contemplating how she could magically shrink herself to fit a size 6 Camilla & Marc jacket. The surprises continued with rolls of leftover upholstery fabrics from esteemed brands like Designers Guild, Westbury, and Ralph Lauren, presented like a decorator’s dream. It felt like a lucky dip for adults with a penchant for beautiful things. Browsing here, she explains, felt less like shopping and more like a playful, surprising, and wonderfully absorbing experience – the perfect place to wander in “just for a look” and emerge an hour later, smiling your way through rooms steeped in character and charm.
Emma Blomfield, EB Studio
Emma Blomfield recommends Rue de France in Botany, which operates strictly by appointment. If you’re on the hunt for seriously vintage and exceptionally cool Champagne buckets, alongside other treasures like Louis Vuitton vintage trunks, copper jelly moulds, and French bread boards, securing a visit is a must. For those favouring the East, Parterre Gardens is a cherished spot where she indulges in dreaming about future homes filled with European vintage finds from their collection.
Marylou Sobel, Marylou Sobel Interior Design
When it comes to sourcing vintage and antique pieces, Marylou Sobel is drawn to locations that exude a palpable sense of history and the thrill of discovery. Graham Geddes Antiques in Melbourne is lauded for its museum-worthy furniture and objects that instantly imbue a room with gravitas. For those seeking romantic French pieces and exquisite garden finds, Lydie du Bray Antiques in Bowral and Maison et Jardin in Double Bay are consistent favourites. For lighting and mirrors that possess distinct personality, she finds constant inspiration in the eclectic designs at Tamsin Johnson’s showroom.
Lauren Egan, Lauren Egan Design
Lauren Egan considers vintage pieces her most treasured possessions. She believes they possess an enduring quality, having already stood the test of time, and carry with them a narrative of being loved and a sense of custodianship rather than mere ownership. Curating effectively from the vast array of available items requires a discerning eye, making knowledge of the best sourcing locations invaluable for finding personal treasures.
For a comprehensive vintage experience in the Fitzroy and Collingwood precincts, she suggests starting at Ma House Supply Store, where Ben has meticulously curated a delightful mix of homeware curios. His store is a visual feast, and it’s challenging to leave empty-handed. Just a short stroll away is Smith St Bazaar, offering a fix of homewares and some of the best Modern Design furniture around. Continuing the journey leads to Angelucci 20th Century for an array of European mid-century wonders. Then, a venture up Gertrude Street brings you to Castorina, the ultimate destination for luxurious European vintage furniture.
Beyond physical stores, Lauren also enjoys exploring online options like CCSS and the weekly array of finds at the Leonard Joel weekly Auction Salon. Being based in Melbourne and unable to visit in person regularly, she frequently peruses Secondi and Cleo Collects, both of which expertly source from European markets for Australian buyers.
