Describe the treasure hunt, the thrill of the find, the overlooked bargains - the color and the emotions – of going vintage shopping!
Hunting for vintage pieces has always been a passion of mine. Whether I'm wandering around an outdoor flea market or getting lost in the aisles of an antique mall, there is nothing quite like stumbling upon the perfect vintage piece for your home. The history and character are unmatched, and they instantly make your home more interesting. Mixing new and old is a must for me when designing any space, and I love incorporating items that are one of a kind. As my love for procuring vintage pieces grew, so did my admiration for imperfections in decor and furniture. I love the patina on aged metal, faded spots on vintage artwork, and worn leather. There is just something so charming about grounding your space with mature pieces that have a story to tell.
Tell us about a few of your best vintage finds… and the things our readers should keep a look out for as they explore Austin’s vintage stores.
I love antique bentwood thonet coat racks that have unique, curved lines. These are typically very difficult to find, but lately I've been landing on them every time I visit one of the local antique malls. I kept one to hang in my entryway, and the others have been gifted to my vintage-loving friends!
Large vintage books are one of my favorite things to source at flea markets and antique malls. Most older books have covers that are made of beautiful, earth-toned linens, and they are so useful when it comes time to style any space. I like to style them both vertically against a pair of beautiful bookends or horizontally on a flat surface to ground a set of objects.
I always keep my eyes peeled for rocks and gemstones that can be used as decor, bookends, or even trays. I have found a plethora of beautiful rocks at Uncommon Objects, and I recently found a large, white gemstone at the Austin Antique Mall which is currently on my dresser.
I spent months hunting for the perfect brass floor lamp to put next to a chaise lounge chair in my primary bedroom. I stumbled upon the perfect one at the Round Rock Antique Mall recently, and I love the character that it brings into the corner of my bedroom.
Audrey’s five favorite vintage stores to explore in the city:
1 Uncommon Objects: If you are looking to be inspired, I highly recommend Uncommon Objects! Located in South Austin, this gem features fun vintage and antique finds from an array of vendors. You never know what you might stumble upon as you turn each corner, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Some of my favorite vintage finds EVER have come from Uncommon Objects! (1602 Fortview Austin, TX 78704 / (512) 442-4000)
2 Austin Antique Mall: This is where you can find me any time I have a few hours to spare! The Austin Antique Mall features the city's largest selection of antique and vintage furniture, decor, jewelry, clothing, china, crystal, and more from over 100 dealers. It's 30,000 square feet, and it is packed full of gems. I get lost exploring each booth and winding through the aisles, which is just so much fun! (8822 McCann Dr. Austin, TX 78757 / (512) 459-5900)
3 Room Service Vintage: Room Service is a mecca for unique finds from the 50's - 80's, including everything from furniture and decor to clothing and jewelry. They restock daily and have an awesome selection! (117 E. North Loop Blvd Austin, TX 78751 / (512) 451-1057)
4 Revival Vintage: Revival is a huge multi-vendor space featuring a mix of mid-century modern pieces to on-trend furniture, decor, and clothing. They also have an awesome collection of cards and gifts from local Austin makers, and they host a monthly market featuring various vendors on the 3rd Sunday of each month! (5201 N Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78751 / (512) 524-2029)
5 Round Rock Antique Mall: Located just north of Austin city limits, the Round Rock Antique Mall is not to be missed! This space includes an array of vintage and antique finds from every decade, and the experience inside is incredibly calm and relaxing. They have shopping carts, a super friendly staff, and so many awesome hidden gems. I do not drive through North Austin without stopping in to see the latest from their vendors! (1601 S I-35 Frontage Rd. Round Rock, TX 78664 / (512) 218-4290)
For more information and tips from Audrey, go to audreyscheckdesign.com
MAGPIE'S NEST
I am a sucker for vintage brass objects that can be layered with other items to style the surface of a vignette. I always grab vintage brass trinkets when I see them because I can never seem to have enough.