Ever wonder what truly unique pieces top interior designers love? Explore their most cherished secondhand scores and find some design inspiration of your own!

Interior Designers Share Their Favorite Secondhand Finds

Interior designers appreciate the unique opportunities that shopping secondhand provides. Going to estate sales, vintage markets, and thrift stores unlocks a world of possibility for sourcing one-of-a-kind items that can truly make their projects shine.

Discover the Unique Stories Behind Designers' Beloved Vintage and Antique Scores

Checkout these interior designer’s favorite secondhand finds of all time. 

“One of my favorite antique finds is this Italian urn set from the 1800s. It's stunning, with its Greek key handles and intricate design. I loved them so much that I wanted them on my nightstands to see at the start and end of each day.” — Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors

“There’s so much power in the finishing pieces: art and the final layers of accessories, so I snag interesting vintage whenever I see them. I don’t buy artwork for the value; it’s all about the color, style, and quality of work. A new frame on a piece of art can instantly revive a piece of art.” — Carrie Brock, founder of The Simple Sketchbook 

“This pair of Asian style lamp bases were found in a local (and very dusty) consignment store, where you literally had to climb over things to move around. I cleaned them up and had custom black glossy shades made to fit.” — Kristina Phillips, founder of Kristina Phillips Interior Design 

“No matter where in the world you may be, there is always an opportunity to score a unique find or local treasure. It just takes a keen eye and willingness to weed through the scruff. On a trip to Paris, I was meandering along the Seine and noticed some of the book sellers had some interesting prints displayed. Combing through some tattered folders, I found a beautiful set of Japanese watercolors. I had those five prints professionally framed, and they’re now featured in a client's formal living room.” — Kristina Phillips 

“I was drawn to this piece for a couple reasons—its simple, mid-century vibe could work in almost any room, and, most importantly, I love orange. I looked at it a couple times as I walked around, circling back to look at it a little bit longer each time I passed it. I decided to go for it, for my own home, and have been using it ever since in various settings and rooms. It always seems to work no matter what, and part of the reason is because I love it. Sometimes, the old adage “If you love it, it’ll work,’ is true after all.” — Suzan Wemlinger, founder of Suzan J Designs 

“This console table is actually an antique ironing board. My colleague and I bought this to use as a placeholder for a photoshoot. The client ended up loving it, so we left it!” — Meghan Lewis, founder of Lewis Vaughn Interiors 

These designers' cherished secondhand finds highlight the unique beauty and unexpected stories that vintage and antique items can bring to interior design. Their experiences underscore the value of a keen eye and a willingness to explore beyond the conventional when sourcing pieces that add character and soul to a space.

Their stories remind us that the most compelling design often comes not from the newest trends, but from the discovery and thoughtful integration of pieces with a past, layering richness and character that truly transforms a house into a home.

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

April 15, 2025     Updated 12:04 PM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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