How to Style Vintage Furniture, According to an Expert

When I think of vintage furniture, I immediately think of Jessica Bellef, a Sydney-based photographer, author and former stylist, who has carved out a diverse career in the world of interiors with her distinctive pre-loved aesthetic. Her work proves that new is not necessarily better.

Decorating your own home can be a daunting process, especially when you consider the ever-changing trends and abundance of styles to take inspiration from. To find out how we can replicate the look of Jessica's expertly-curated spaces – the ones that frequent the pages of our favourite mags and her new book, Individual: Inspiration for creating a home that is uniquely your own – we chatted about all things vintage furniture, from the intrinsic value of buying second-hand to where to source the best eclectic finds for your own place.

The thrill of the find

When it comes to the appeal of vintage furniture, Jessica appreciates that each piece has lived a previous life and is imbued with stories from the past: "I love the fact that these pieces have survived for decades, which is a testament to the original makers and designers". There’s a certain thrill to sourcing and seeking out designer finds, and Jessica says that she often finds special pieces at shockingly low prices, which makes the deal even sweeter. She isn't alone in her love for all things vintage though – her parents, whom she describes as ‘thrifty’, share her passion for well-built and original design.

A sustainable choice

Recently, there has been a push towards a more conscious approach around decorating and ways to lessen our environmental impact. Choosing vintage finds to style your home fits into this mindful movement, as you're limiting waste and not contributing to overconsumption by giving unused yet quality pieces a new home.

Creating a unique space

While Jessica understands the temptation to race out to the showroom and replicate their displays instantly, she says there's a certain satisfaction you'll gain from taking the time to source the right vintage piece that will stick with you forever. Jessica further highlights the importance of personalisation, adding, "The fact that you have curated the space yourself and let it form over time with unique pieces means that you will be more connected to your home, and the space will be interesting and inviting because of it".

Mix-and-match your look

The great thing about vintage furniture is that mixing-and-matching is encouraged, and actually helps to further create a unique space that's specific to you. Jessica is a fan of combining new and old, but explains that there should be a harmonious feeling between the pieces. Some easy ways to achieve a consistent interior aesthetic is to use similar colours, finishes and materials, according to the vintage aficionado. Jessica offers a great tip that will make your vintage shopping more streamlined: "If you are hunting down a particular piece to complete a space, save the required measurements in your phone, as you never know when that perfect piece will pop up or if it will resurface ever again."

What to look for

We asked Jessica to give us some tips on shapes, colours and materials to look out for, and solid, sturdy construction and detailed joinery were high on her list. A tip she shared with us is to look past any upholstery that isn't to your taste as you can always refresh this at a later date. According to Jessica, the vintage finds trending right now include 1960s coloured glass, textural pottery from the ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as natural stones like travertine and the ever-popular rattan and cane furniture.

The best vintage shops

Now that you've got the full rundown and expert tips on all things vintage furniture, it's time to get sourcing! Jessica has generously shared her favourite places to find pre-loved gems with us, both online and in person. While she’s not above picking something up from the side of the road, "I also have had a lot of luck with online marketplaces via Facebook and eBay". An amazing place to start your vintage furniture search is at The Merchants Warehouse, a vintage warehouse in Sydney’s Annandale. Other vintage resellers Jessica loves to visit on the regular are Smiths Street Bazaar, CCSS, and Castorina & Co.