Coming Home Magazine

COMING HOME MAGAZINE 7 1. WHAT DO YOU DO AS AN ANTIQUE SELLER, AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE TRADE? In my job, I source, authenticate, and sell historic items. I have a small shop in Virginia, specializing in vintage clothing and homewares. I got into selling vintage and antiques from thrifting with my grandmother when I was growing up. She would take us to thrift stores and estate sales, and honestly, I didn't like it at the time. What I didn't realize was that I was absorbing all those skills and developing an eye for finding value in something random and old. 2. WHERE AND HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY SOURCE YOUR PIECES? I source my pieces everywhere—from yard sales and estate sales to thrift stores and more. While I've found some of my best items at second-hand stores, I've also picked up incredibly cool, old pieces from the side of the road for free. A lot of my sourcing also happens via word of mouth. People, usually from the older generation, invite me into their homes, allowing me to buy items directly from them. This is one of my favorite ways to shop because I get to hear the story behind each item. The same is true for estate sales; I want to learn about the owner so I can share their story with the piece. 3. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE? Technically, an antique is something that's at least 100 years old. Vintage is anything that's at least 20 years old. It doesn't seem like that long ago, but a lot of those styles are already coming back. 4. WHAT DETAILS DO YOU LOOK FOR TO SPOT A TRUE ANTIQUE OR A QUALITY PIECE? I pay attention to the wear and tear. Of course, you want it to be aesthetically nice, but seeing how an item was actually used can be the most interesting part. Whether it's a vintage mirror with worn edges from being picked up over the years, a furniture maker's mark, or a stamp on a piece of pottery, I love details that show the piece was used as intended. I'm not deterred by flaws as long as the item is still functional or has a certain look. Many people want antiques to look antique, and that character is part of the appeal. 5. WHAT'S THE MOST EXCITING OR MEMORABLE ITEM YOU'VE EVER FOUND OR SOLD? One of my favorite pieces is a gorgeous early-1900s cabinet that I kept. I use it to store my art supplies and collectibles. It's tall, narrow, and fits perfectly in my space. The cabinet has wonderful wear that adds to its charm. I got it at an estate sale for a great price, and although it was a challenge to get it into my house, I absolutely adore it. When it comes to selling, I enjoy seeing people connect with pieces that I thought were special, particularly artwork. I have a few repeat customers who buy interesting art pieces, regardless of style or medium. It's so satisfying to see those pieces in the right home. 6. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A FIRST-TIME ANTIQUE BUYER? First, notice the quality difference in older pieces. Old doesn't always mean delicate. In many cases, it means sturdy. If something has survived this long, there's a reason. I also like to remind people that everything you want already exists somewhere. Choosing vintage and antique pieces isn't only more sustainable; they are often better made, look better, and don't feel cheap. Plus, it's really exciting to discover a piece with a story rather simply ordering it online. 7. HOW CAN HOMEOWNERS INCORPORATE ANTIQUES INTO THEIR INTERIOR DESIGN? Start small! Layer in items with character—such as a vintage textile, a placemat, or another decorative piece. Those little details can make a big difference. Art and picture frames are great, too, because they're easy to find and can completely transform a room. You don't have to make huge changes all at once. There's so much beauty in adding those small, special pieces over time. ABOUT SAM MCMULLEN Sam is the owner of The Cottage at DePaul's, an antique store in Vienna, Virginia. Find her on Instagram at @thecottageatdepauls.

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