.webp)
One of the most gratifying things about interior design is finding your unique sense of style, also known as your niche. There is something so rewarding about learning what fits your vibe (and what doesn't) and reaching a level of confidence in your decision-making. I personally have always admired vintage curators on Instagram and enjoy following their pages and seeing such beautifully curated items that transcend the trends otherwise displayed at big box stores. So, in honor of the holidays, I caught up with six of my favorite curators to discover what excites them this holiday season, what is on their wishlist, and their favorite vintage finds!
Mood board images (clockwise) via: @layeredlogan, @abigalbellvintage, @retrodeo.la, @decorjois, @harmonia_studio, @taylord.id
Hailing from Florence, South Carolina, but based in Miami, Florida, Abby Campbell is the mastermind behind the cool-girl magnet vintage brand Abigail Bell (formerly Abigail Bell Vintage). Established in 2008, the online shop focuses on a careful curation of art, vintage clothing, and, of course, homeware!
Impactful, sculptural, and a little weird at times.
I don’t have much holiday decor in my current home, but there are a lot of nostalgic pieces from my childhood, like the nativity scene I would play with all month long and the needlepoint stockings that hung over the fireplace.
Knowing that the pieces I’m curating might end up wrapped up and given as gifts. That makes it feel even more special this time of year.
I never really think about trends when sourcing. If I’m drawn to something, that’s what’s important.
One of the pieces from my newest vintage home decor collection is this handmade widemouth bass fish vase/vessel. It’s so weird and amazing, and I knew immediately from my reaction to finding it (“wtf is that?”) that I needed it.
As a homeowner, my wishlist has things like “new roof” and “new front door” on it. So boring!
Shop from small or local businesses whenever possible! Your support will be so very appreciated.
Yes! We just launched framed prints and canvases as well as limited edition phone cases for our vintage art (hello, stocking stuffers!). We also launched a new vintage home decor collection with lots of artist-made and Italian pieces.
Madison Brill created the Instagram account @ilovecraigslist in 2020, creating a space that not only shares her Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace finds in the New York and LA area but consistently advocates for buying secondhand. Her space is proof that you just need a little bit of patience and a good alert-setting system when it comes to secondhand!
Eclectic, unique, and vintage.
I love vintage holiday decorations and decor! My mom loves decorating during the holidays so I pull inspiration from her and love seeing pieces that I didn't appreciate when I was younger but now can see the value in.
It's a great time to buy gifts for people secondhand, getting friends and family pieces that are unique and one of a kind.
I am really in an Art Deco moment right now. I love anything from the 20's and 30's.
I've kept it pretty minimalist this year. I'm heading home for the holidays, so I haven't decorated my place, but I look forward to helping my parents decorate. I love the vintage ornaments you can find easily on Etsy and personalizing the tree with pieces that tell a story of where you've been or traveled.
I love anything that my friend Rachel from Layered Logan puts out there. She has amazing one-of-a-kind pieces that are great gifts and all-year decor.
Before jumping to buying something new, see if you can find something similar secondhand. I love shopping on eBay for home decor, and Poshmark even has some great home goods and glassware.
New things are coming in the new year… you will have to stay tuned!
You can easily spot the Taylor’d booth at various Los Angeles flea markets via the bright green signage and eclectic mix of fun vintage wares. I first followed Taylor Nava’s endeavor after spotting the infamous Gaia lipstick mirror on her feed, but it was her uncompromising, badass home good curations that made me a fan.
Vintage eclectic with an emphasis on Lana Del Rey’s “Ride” music video vibes.
It would definitely have to be my vintage souvenir brass 3D ornaments from various cities.
Curating ornaments to reflect the style of the shop.
Honestly, no. I like to stay within the style of my shop.
Definitely this mid-century ceramic tiger family. I found them online on an estate sale listing for the next day, and I KNEW I needed to get them. So my husband and I got in line at 5 AM (still number 10 in line), and once it was our turn, we separated and scoured the house so fast. My husband ended up finding them in a closet, and I can’t describe the level of happiness I felt!
Something that has been on my wishlist and will always be until the day I find it is the brass mid-century flower party ashtray.
Shop small and shop vintage!!!
I just popped up at Frogtown Flea Crawl’s holiday market, and I also will be popping up at Los Feliz Flea before the holidays.
I post weekly drops and my upcoming markets on my Instagram.
Named as one of the best vintage furniture stores in North America by Architectural Digest, Retrodeo LA is a shop that can be trusted to offer the ultimate statement piece that will just make a room come together in the coolest way. In fact, it feels as though they have a “no boring items allowed” policy. Owner Emily Watkins started the Instagram-only shop in 2019 and has continued to bless our feeds since.
1970s/80s with a flare of Tony Montana chic!
My Britney Spears Christmas decoration.
I love an excuse to source lots of small items for gifts! I'm a huge lover of Murano glass, accent ashtrays, and anything to add a pop of color or decorate a coffee table. Helping someone gift something unique always feels special.
The trend is usually always in line with my personal taste at the time, but it almost always involves stone, stripes, glassware and color.
I was most excited about the beautifully handmade stone ashtrays and catchalls I sourced for this Christmas. The variations in colors are unreal, I love working with natural materials like stone. I stumbled upon these on a trip to Mexico City. Everything there is always stunning!
Vintage artwork!
Buy vintage! It's sustainable and more unique than buying new.
The best way to see my vintage finds is via Instagram.
There is a level of nostalgia that stems from Liv Enriquez's curation for her shop, the LA-based Harmonia Studio. The sweet and colorful nature of her homeware radiates positivity and joy — whether via a pair of tulip-shaped candle holders or cabbage-shaped bowls.
Playful and colorful. I don't think design should be taken too seriously. I do lots of pop-ups, and if you visit my booth and something makes you laugh or reminds you of your childhood, it makes me so happy.
I just sourced vintage Swedish Angel Chimes that spin around by heat created from candles. It's so whimsical and brings me so much joy.
I'm a big advocate for normalizing vintage and thrifting gifts. It's better for the environment, so every little bit helps.
Food-themed items like fruit and cheese have been very popular, which has been great for my kitschy aesthetic.
I found this custom mirror with an airplane design on it by "Mirror Man" in Los Angeles which is still operational today. The piece ended up selling to a flight attendant, which made me feel better about not keeping it for myself.
This kettle with a bird for a whistle. I especially love it when vintage is functional and not just tchotchkes.
Find some thrift stores that accept wrapping paper and gift bag donations. So much cheaper (and eco-friendly!) than buying new. My favorite place for this is Deseret Industries near DTLA.
I just released a curated selection of vintage star toppers and ornaments. Everything can be found on my Instagram.
Not one to limit her selections to specific eras, Sylvia Knight masterfully curates objects for Decorjois as an art collector would, with an eye for detail and technique. Decorjois celebrates the individuality of each piece, which makes it feel like each item is truly a rare find.
Modernist and brutalist with a heavy hand in pre-war antiques and a dash of rococo.
Probably the brutalist Curtis Jeré style autumnal leaf sculpture made entirely of hand-worked metal. Sourced from the art collection of a hospital, curiously.
It’s nice to have a boundary (autumnal, gem tones, what have you) to help curtail what I source.. otherwise, it’s a total free-for-all.
Stylistically, not too much; I really do go all over the place era-wise. The thread is maybe that I gravitate towards items made by hand — this is always the thing that elevates a piece for me. And I am very drawn to all things metal lately.
I fell head over heels for a Brazilian brutalist coffee table with verdigris ceramic inlay, mahogany frame, and flared metallic legs — absolutely to die for. It was sourced from a staggering collection of a private estate, and is currently for sale at my friend's shop, Church Boutique.
A new coffeemaker. The borosilicate pitcher in Amber by Yield Design is my chic pick.
Obvious, but buy vintage! It’s unique and chic, not to mention sustainable. And helps support small businesses.
A few showrooms where my pieces are housed will be having holiday parties. Stay tuned to my stories for details.
I always do a Gift Guide throughout December, viewable on story highlights. PS. I love offers!
We are an online interior design studio for enthusiasts and professionals. Get a real-world design education, easy-to-use tools, job opportunities, and a tight-knit community. All levels welcome.
Join now
