What is a collected look? Well, it’s just like it sounds. It’s decorating your home with items and furniture that have been collected over time. No one can achieve a collected look in their home overnight. Nope. This look is achieved using items collected from family members, travels, things you are gifted or just items that you love. You have to mix items new and old. Antiques are most meaningful when there is a family history and you have been told the story behind the item, however not everyone has this luxury. You may need to find vintage items on your own. You can do this by browsing thrift stores, estate sales, antique and flea markets and Facebook Marketplace. When you see something that is unique and not mass produced, add it to your home. The goal with the collected look is to create a story within your space and to make your home unique to you, no one else. A collected home will never look like it came out of a furniture catalog. It will be interesting and unique to only you.

1. Your home will have character.

   By using items that are not mass produced, you are creating a space that is unique. Your home should reflect who you are, what you do, your hobbies and interests, where you’ve traveled. Not only will your home have character, it’s a part of history too! If you find a unique item, do the research and try to find the history on it. It’s so great to be able to tell the story of an item when you have a guest that comments on something you own.

Above are photos of designer Bunny Williams’ homes. She is a very well known designer and often referenced as having a classic, collected style.

2. You will likely find higher quality furniture in antiques if you know what to look for.

A lot of furniture in particular that you will find in antiques is very high quality. Now, items are so mass produced the quality often times just isn’t there anymore. When you find a good, solid wood piece of furniture, it can last a lifetime. Even sofas were made better years ago. If you find an upholstered piece of furniture where the structure is solid, don’t be afraid to get that item reupholstered. It will likely cost the same as something brand new, but the quality is so much better and therefore will last longer AND the best part is that no one else will ever have the same one as you. It’s a custom piece.

3. Used items are much less expensive than new, trendy items you’ll be replacing soon.

This sort of goes along with the quality aspect as well, but basically if you buy a used quality piece in a timeless style, you won’t ever need to replace it. You can find great deals on pieces that people don’t want anymore. My favorite is Facebook Marketplace. Lots of times, sellers don’t even know the value of what they are selling. All they know is they don’t want the item anymore and often they are willing to part with it for a great price. Don’t fall for the trends. You’ll be wasting your money as soon as that trend goes away and a new one comes into play.

4. It’s fun!

Have you been antiquing or thrifting? I’ll admit, it can be hit or miss. But it is so fun and exciting when it’s a hit! It feels like you won the lottery when you find a quality item that you love and

5. You can display a collection.

Want to start collecting? Already have a collection? Display it! Whatever it is that you like, china, trinkets, trays, start a collection and show them with pride around your home. Your collection can be passed down to your children and/or grandchildren some day. I found these items above on Etsy.

6. Your home will be timeless.

Antiques do not go out of style. You may get tired of them after awhile, but they are not trendy.

A collected home isn’t ALL antiques. It consists of mixing new and old. There are some fantastic reproductions of antiques that you can mix in with authentic antique, but also there are some items I would never use old. Here are the items I buy new.

• blankets and throws

• pillows and pillow covers

• drapery

• baskets

Additional tips for antique shopping:

Most upholstered items will need to be recovered. Do not shy away from purchasing a very well made, quality item because it needs new fabric. It is so fun to mix a new patterned fabric with an antique frame.

Find small items that you really love and start a collection. It gives you a focus when going to antique shops.

Be aware that a lot of antique dealers will try to pass items off as antiques when they are not. Really inspect the item before you purchase.

You can find amazing deals on antiques, but remember the value of an antique is essentially what one is willing to pay for it.

If you love it, get it today! You don’t have time to think about it long. Antique stores change out their inventory a LOT. Something that is here today will likely be gone if you wait too long. It’s one of a kind. You may never see another like it.

Visit your favorite antique store very often. New items are always circulating.