Amber Zakahi’s Guide to a Home Filled with Stories & Style

A home should feel like you—comforting, personal, and like a warm hug. That is the philosophy of Amber Zakahi, a designer, serial decorator, and curator with a passion for filling spaces with stories. With over a decade of experience in home styling, sourcing, and collecting vintage, antique, and secondhand pieces, Amber transforms homes with a collected, storied approach. 

Through her Instagram, Collected on Chronicle, she inspires others to embrace their unique style, proving that you do not need a brand-new, historic, or fully renovated home to create something special. With a little vision and creativity, she shows that beautiful, meaningful spaces filled with history and personality do not have to come with a high price tag.

Mr. Mochi, Amber’s ever-faithful orange cat, is always there to lend a paw in her home decorating adventures—whether he is supervising a furniture arrangement or simply adding his own flair to a perfectly styled vignette.

Amber’s love for collected interiors shines through in her AuctionNinja picks—each piece reflecting her passion for storytelling, history, and timeless design. Whether it is a delicate vintage crystal compote bowl or a striking oil painting of a ship, her selections showcase the kind of layered, meaningful decorating that turns a house into a home.

Amber’s AuctionNinja Picks

1. 2 Green Ginger Jar Style Lamps, See Description

2. Cork Antique Folk Art Duck Decoy and Hand Carved Log Duck Decoy Painted

3. Elegant Vintage Crystal Compote Bowl with A Detailed Cut Glass Design and An Ornate Brass Base

4. Vintage Japanese Majolica Corn Ware Mixing Bowls Set of 2

5. First Ed 1901 Photography as a fine art Charles Caffin - Photographic Art in America

6. 37 Inch Folk Art Carved & Painted Cane with Lady Bugs & Squirrel Artist Signed, Shirley Kennedy

7. Black and White Marble Chess Set

8. Georges Boyer Limoges Porcelain Serving Pieces and Plates in Blue & White Roses

9. Pair Of Framed Botanicals

10. Large Ship Painting. Oil on Canvas

Q&A with Amber

What got you interested in secondhand, vintage and antique items? 

I’ve been drawn to secondhand, vintage, and antique items since childhood. Growing up, our family didn’t have much, so we thrifted and shopped secondhand for most of what we had. My grandma—a master sourcer and seller, was the first to take me to an estate sale, and she taught me so much. My love for collecting started with little treasures she gave me as a child, but as an adult, it became something more.

Over a decade ago, after buying a house and facing health challenges, I was on a strict budget. Thrifting and secondhand shopping became a creative way to build a home filled with inexpensive treasures. 

Traveling as far as Africa, backpacking across Europe, and living in Germany as an army brat in my late teens deepened my appreciation for beauty, history, design, and antiques. 

Later, while working for high-profile families in the U.S., I was surrounded by beautifully curated spaces—and part of my job, beyond nannying and house management, included polishing silver and caring for antiques.

Over time, I started finding similar pieces while shopping secondhand, each one reminding me of those warm, formative experiences. For me, collecting vintage, antiques, and one-of-a-kind conversation pieces is more than just decorating—it’s about preserving stories, history, and the feeling of home.

What are the one or two things that you always find yourself bidding on/looking for when shopping secondhand?  

Plates, books, and one-of-a-kind treasures that aren’t easily found—plus busts, statues, botanicals, and anything featuring ships or birds.

What's your absolute favorite item ever purchased at an estate sale or online auction? 

This wasn’t a public estate sale, it was a private one—I purchased 13 busts and Greek and Roman statues in all sizes, from giant to small—all for just $100. They’re now in my home, and I love how quirky and fabulous they are.

Any tips or advice for online auction or estate sale newbies? 

Pay attention to what draws you in and makes your heart skip a beat—that’s where the magic is! Start by browsing without pressure, kind of getting a feel for pricing, and researching items that catch your eye. Set a budget, but DON’T be afraid to take a chance on a piece that truly speaks to you. And always check the details—measurements, condition, and pickup terms—so there are no surprises. The best finds are often the ones that feel meant to be!

Written by:

Tam Tran

March 13, 2025     

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