Our Complete Guide
A Little Personal History
1stDibs has been in our world for a long time. Back when we were working at a design firm in Austin, Texas, this is exactly where we would go to source — sconces, chandeliers, statement lighting fixtures that could give a house the kind of character you simply can’t buy off a showroom floor. There was always something about pulling up 1stDibs during a project and finding that one Italian wall sconce or that Danish pendant that made an entire room feel intentional. It became one of those non-negotiables in the sourcing process.
That experience never left us. And now, with vintage having such a strong cultural moment — with designers being celebrated for their ability to hunt, curate, and layer — we thought it was the right time to share exactly how we approach it. Consider this your insider’s guide.
Why Designers Keep Coming Back to 1stDibs
We’re not alone in our love for the platform. 1stDibs has quietly become the go-to resource for some of the most respected names in interior design.
“1stDibs is our go-to for vintage and antique furnishings. Their network of licensed global sellers is second to none and equally met by their excellent client service and buyer protection.”
— Kyle McVey, Principal Designer, Grisoro Studio
Designer Jake Arnold — whose work is defined by a lived-in, collected feeling — puts it plainly: “I believe in buying what you like. Period.” For Arnold, 1stDibs is a first stop, not a last resort: “The clients we work with generally want a comfortable, lived-in, unadorned home, and I like to source vintage pieces to provide some patina and character.”
The appeal isn’t just the selection — it’s the experience of discovery. As Shawn Henderson describes it: “It’s the sheer convenience of having everything at your fingertips. 1stDibs has streamlined our process tremendously.”
“Incorporating vintage pieces is a cornerstone to our designs. We believe in collecting furniture as one would art. Beautiful, well-made pieces can truly last many generations. Aesthetically, we love the heritage, depth, and patina that these furnishings add to a space.”
— Gabriela Gargano, Principal Designer, Grisoro Studio
The numbers back this up. According to 1stDibs’ annual Interior Designer Survey, 81% of designers actively sourced vintage pieces from the 1920s through the 1990s in 2024 — and 62% plan to purchase more antiques in 2025, up from 56% the year before. Vintage isn’t a trend. It’s a permanent part of how great interiors are built.
How We Search on 1stDibs
One of the best ways to find incredible vintage pieces is by searching specific design eras, regions, materials, and styles rather than broad terms.
Justina Blakeney, founder of Jungalow, describes it perfectly: “There are 30,000 results for ‘glass chandelier,’ but if you search ‘Murano glass palmette chandelier’ about 100 results come up — which is much more manageable.” The specificity is everything.
Instead of searching “lamp,” try:
- Danish pendant
- Danish table lamp
- Danish mid-century lamp
- Italian table lamp
- Italian Murano glass
- Italian Art Deco chandelier
- Italian mid-century modern sconces
- Italian Murano glass wall sconces
For furniture, we love searching:
- French 1940s sideboard
- Italian walnut sideboard
- Swedish midcentury walnut sideboard
- Brutalist oak coffee table
- Vintage Italian travertine coffee table
- Solid oak lounge chair
- Danish lounge chair
- Dutch Art Deco armchair
- Vintage Italian sofa 1970s
- Art Deco lounge chairs
- Bauhaus-inspired furniture
- Guillerme et Chambron furniture
- Henning Kjærnulf Razor dining chairs
- Hans Olsen Frederik VII dining chairs
The more specific your search becomes, the better the results. And here’s a tip from Dan Mazzarini of BHDM Design: try multiple variations of the same term. “Mid-century” versus “midcentury,” “brutalist” versus “sculptural,” “console” versus “credenza” — small tweaks surface completely different inventory.
Pro Tips from Designers Who Use It Every Day
Beyond keywords, there are a few habits the best vintage sourcers have developed over time.
Follow sellers, not just pieces
Alex Bass, founder of art advisory and design studio Salon 21, recommends saving your favorite stores directly: “That way, you will get email notifications once new pieces are available by them, and when they are discounted. Many times sellers will offer discounts if you’ve previously expressed interest in a specific item.” If you love a piece from a particular dealer, click through to see their full collection — aesthetic alignment runs deep.
Connect directly with sellers
“On the 1stDibs platform, you can connect directly with sellers. I advise you to take advantage of this by asking questions about the item’s history and provenance. Building these relationships is a great way to source exclusive and rare pieces — dealers will often find a particular piece for a favored client.”
— Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, Spinocchia Freund
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
The platform supports offers, and many sellers expect them. Dan Mazzarini puts it simply: “Don’t be afraid to embrace the art of negotiation. Make offers and cross-reference prices — it’s all part of the shopping experience.”
Save your searches
Once you’ve built a search that yields great results, save it. 1stDibs will send you weekly alerts when new items match your criteria. For ongoing projects or if you’re hunting for something specific, this is invaluable.
Always read dimensions carefully
It sounds obvious, but in the beauty of a great listing photo, it’s easy to lose track of scale. Read descriptions and measurements twice — a lesson more than one designer has learned the hard way.
Materials We Always Look For
We’re constantly drawn to pieces with warmth, texture, and natural aging. Materials play such an important role in making vintage interiors feel layered and timeless.
Some of our favorite materials to search for:
- Stone
- Travertine
- Marble
- Brass
- Antique brass
- Nickel
- Patinated metals
- Lacquered Metal
- Lacquered brass
- Patina nickel-plated brass
- Walnut
- Burl wood
- Solid oak
- French oak
- Scandinavian teak
- Alabaster
- Burl and brass combinations
We especially love pieces where materials have naturally aged over time — the patina, wear, and imperfections are often what make vintage feel so special.
“Their site has a great representation of different periods and furnishings. If your aesthetic is achieving the mix, 1stDibs is second to none.”
— Vicente Wolf, Vicente Wolf Associates
Vintage Styles We Always Return To
Our searches usually gravitate toward:
- Italian mid-century modern
- 1970s Italian design
- French Art Deco
- Scandinavian modern
- Brutalist design
- Bauhaus-inspired interiors
We love interiors that mix sculptural forms with warmth and texture — spaces that feel collected rather than overly designed.
Italian design from the 1950s–1970s continues to be one of our biggest inspirations, especially when it comes to lighting and mirrors. We’re equally inspired by the architectural simplicity of Bauhaus-inspired furniture and the warmth of Scandinavian modern design.
Some designers and makers we always search for include Guillerme et Chambron, Hans Olsen, and Henning Kjærnulf — all known for timeless craftsmanship and sculptural forms.
“When seeking out pieces on 1stDibs, I always prioritize items with design provenance that will seamlessly fit into the space I’m designing. Sometimes, I find an extraordinary piece that I know my client will love, and I design the entire room around it as a focal point.”
— Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
Lighting We Love
Lighting is one of the easiest ways to bring personality into a space — and vintage lighting always feels more unique than buying something new. This is actually where our 1stDibs story began, back in those Austin firm days, hunting for just the right sconce or fixture to give a home its character.
As Stefani Stein, the LA-based interior designer, puts it: “Vintage lighting is always a great idea — just be sure to have it rewired, so it isn’t a fire hazard.”
Some favorite searches:
- Italian Murano glass sconces
- Art Deco brass chandeliers
- Danish pendants
- Alabaster lamps
- Mid-century Italian sconces
- Sculptural brass lighting
A few standout styles we love:
- Art Deco brass chandeliers with opaline glass
- Italian Murano wall sconces
- 1970s Italian lighting
Shop Our Favorites
Brass Wall Sconce in Aged Silver
Mid Century Modern Table Lamp 1960s
Mid-Century Floor Lamp Austria 1950’s
Mirrors We’re Always Searching For
Vintage mirrors can completely transform a room. We especially love Italian mirrors because they feel both elegant and sculptural at the same time.
Some favorite searches:
- Italian brass mirror
- Mid-century Italian mirror
- Brass psyche mirror
- 1950s Italian wall mirror
- Vintage brass framed mirror
Cherry Wood & Brass Wall Mirror
Favorite Vintage Furniture Searches
Chairs
Some of our favorite chair searches include:
- Vintage Le Corbusier armchairs
- Honey sheepskin armchairs
- Dutch Art Deco desk chairs
- Danish lounge chairs
- Solid oak lounge chairs
- 1970s Italian armchairs
- Eames-style leather chairs
- Art Deco lounge chairs
- Henning Kjærnulf Razor dining chairs
- Hans Olsen Frederik VII dining chairs in oak and leather
We’re especially drawn to pieces in solid oak, aged leather, and warm wood tones that feel both sculptural and timeless.
“We source many vintage and antique pieces for homes with the intention of giving personality and depth to an interior that can’t always be found with a new piece. 1stDibs is a go-to for us.”
— Jennifer Walters, Founder, Folding Chair Design
Sideboards
We’re always drawn to warm woods and sculptural silhouettes:
- French solid walnut sideboards
- Mid-century walnut sideboards
- Solid oak sideboards
- Swedish 1940s cabinetry
- French 1940s sideboards
- Italian walnut sideboards
Vintage French and Italian storage pieces often have an understated elegance that works beautifully in both modern and traditional interiors.
Pieces We Love
Vintage 1960/70s Danish Brutalist
Sofas We Love
Vintage seating has a way of making a space feel instantly more collected and personal.
Some searches we always come back to:
- Vintage Italian sofas from the 1970s
- Sculptural modular seating
- Bouclé and leather upholstery
- Curved mid-century sofas
- Bauhaus-inspired seating
1970s Italian sofas remain some of our favorite pieces to source because they combine comfort with bold sculptural design.
Coffee Tables
A great vintage coffee table can anchor an entire room:
- Brutalist oak and tile coffee tables
- Vintage Italian travertine coffee tables
- Solid oak coffee tables
- 1960s Brutalist tables
Why We Love Vintage
Vintage pieces bring a depth and individuality that’s hard to recreate. They tell stories, carry craftsmanship from another era, and make spaces feel layered and personal.
“Vintage pieces are true conversation pieces, and what better way to bring your home to life than with a piece of history? In an industry heavily influenced by social media — are our homes all going to look the same? — using vintage pieces provides an opportunity to stand out, ensuring originality.”
— Lauren Meichtry, Founder, Elsie Home
What inspires us most about 1stDibs is the access it gives to pieces from all over the world — from Italian lighting and French Art Deco furniture to Scandinavian modern design and rare collectible objects. It’s a platform used by some of the world’s leading interior designers, collectors, stylists, and architects — all searching for timeless pieces with character and history.
This is only the beginning of what we want to share. In future guides, we’ll dive deeper into vintage lighting, furniture sourcing, mirrors, materials, and favorite designers we continue to discover and admire.
We hope this guide inspires your next vintage hunt and becomes something you come back to whenever you’re searching for that perfect piece.
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