How to Incorporate Vintage + Antique Finds into Your Decor

Focus on what you’re drawn to — and shop for that first. Vintage and antique shopping can be incredibly overwhelming, so it’s best to hone in on a few pieces you’re drawn to when hunting. If you’re drawn to vintage art or pottery, look for pieces that include the artist’s signature, as that typically guarantees authenticity. For furniture, make sure you inspect every side of the piece, including the bottom. (This area is most often prone to water damage.)

Begin a collection. Once you’ve established what you like, the search process — and the decor process! — becomes much easier. Grouping together a collection of similar pieces, such as vintage stoneware crocks, antique cutting boards, or blue-and-white ceramic pottery, creates visual weight and interest, ensuring the decor looks intentional and uncluttered.

Mix old + new. Don’t be afraid to pair a vintage oil painting with a Target find! Mixing vintage decor with newer pieces is the key to establishing a cohesive, stylish vignette. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try the 80/20 rule: Balance 80% new decor with 20% vintage or antique.

Utilize Pinterest or Instagram! It’s perfectly OK to save inspiration via Pinterest or Instagram, and then try to recreate the look in your own home. Many highly experienced designers incorporate vintage decor and/or furniture into the spaces they design, so taking a cue from the pros is completely acceptable — and encouraged! Plus, it’s a free resource.

Lucky for us, two of the best consignment shops in the city are within a quick drive. The Ottoman Society, located in the heart of Elm Grove, stocks fine furniture and accessories, and a newer shop, Optimist’s Bazaar, sells similar inventory. Both feature quality, second-hand finds at accessible prices.
If you’re up for a bit of a drive, head to Oconomowoc and visit Harbour Honest Goods. The owners, a husband and wife duo, have impeccable taste, and do an incredible job of mixing vintage finds with modern accessories. A must-visit for any antique lover.
Downtown Milwaukee boasts a plethora of shops worthy of your time, too. Riverview Antique Market is an especially good antique mall, where dozens of vendors showcase their finds, and Bay View’s Good Land Antiques sells a beautifully curated selection of vintage pieces.
It’s no secret that I’m a devoted Amazon shopper, but I love incorporating vintage and antique finds into my home decor, too. The personality and charm they add is unmatched — and even more-so in the older homes we typically list. Here are my go-to tips for beginners.