Guest Curation: AN x Danielle Churchill of Radhome.co

When did you become interested in shopping for antiques and secondhand goods? For Danielle Churchill, it started when she was in elementary school. 

“When I was in elementary school, I started my first vintage endeavor in my grandparent’s garage, where I set up a shop selling antiques that they already owned,” Danielle told us. In high school, her entrepreneurial journey continued when she started an Etsy shop selling vintage clothing. 

More recently, her love of secondhand items was reignited when she moved into her current home and needed to decorate on a budget. “Since then I’ve shared my journey designing and curating a thrifted home on social media!”

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

I love the story that second hand items tell in a home. They bring a sense of interest and originality to a space. It allows you to curate a vibe truly unique to yourself.

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

My thrifting weakness has to be lamps! No matter how many I’ve collected over the years, I’m always looking for a unique find to add to my collection. 

Of all the cool lamps that you've thrifted, which one is your favorite and why?

It’s hard to choose my favorite but my most recent find was the Elise Lamp from designer Pablo Pardo that can retail for over $400, which I scored for $12! 

I was running errands one day when I had the urge to go check the thrift store and it was one of the first things I saw when I walked in. I knew it was meant to be because I had been wanting something of a similar shape for a specific corner in my home.

Oftentimes, thrifting can surprise you. What is the most unexpected thing you've bought and how did you end up using it?

I bought a wood cubby that I ended up turning into a tile table with some tile I thrifted from the same store. It was one of the most difficult yet rewarding DIY’s that I’ve done!

Your thrifting vlogs are super helpful- especially because thrifting isn't always easy. What is your advice for people who want to thrift more but are feeling discouraged about not finding items they love?

Thrift more by thrifting more! My biggest piece of advice is to go regularly, because you never know what you might find. 

I’ve had plenty of trips where I score big but I’ve also had plenty of trips where I’ve come home empty-handed. 

Also, stay open-minded! You never know what is going to catch your attention, so make sure you’re not so focused on looking for a particular thing that you miss out on something unexpected.

Danielle’s AuctionNinja Picks:

1. Mid Century Set of Two Chairs Leather / Chrome Made in Italy (Fruitcocktail Collectables Estate Sales)

2. Pair 1960s Chrome Waterfall Lamps Designed by Robert Sonneman (Clearing House Estate Sales)

3. Vintage Murano Italian Art Glass Mushroom Table Lamp (Vintage Haus)

4. Mid Century Modern 1959 Oil on Canvas, Framed. Signed & Dated. (Vintage Haus)

5. Large Post Modern 1980s Ehlen Johansson for IKEA Female Figural Valet Mannequin (Vintage Haus)

6. Vintage (likely Robert Sonneman) MCM Mid Century Modern Eye Ball Globe Floor Lamp (ReHome Estate Sales)

7. Kartell Anna Castelli Italian Retro 1970s Modern Barstool Prototype (Prestige Auction House)

Interested in becoming a guest curator? Apply here. And don't forget to share your latest scores with us on Instagram by tagging your photos with @auctionninja and #ANFinds -- we'd love to feature you!

Written by:

AuctionNinja Staff

December 1, 2022     Updated 01:06 PM

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