If you’ve got a thing for chic homewares stores or follow a copious number of interior design accounts on Instagram, it’s likely you’re also on a near-constant hunt for the chicest vintage, retro and mid-century furniture. At least, we certainly are, and it’s become a near-sport for us to track down a perfect find from a Facebook Marketplace seller, or to snag the perfect hand-me-down from a moving friend or family member.
Even if trawling through Gumtree in attempt to find the travertine table of your dreams is something you dream of spending your Sunday doing, why not also employ the eye of some experts? There are plenty of businesses and stores around Australia and online (that ship internationally) that are curating a near-perfect lineup of the best vintage furniture – from genuine mid-century pieces to retro homewares and even the occasional designer piece too.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite furniture accounts to turn your space into a mid-century haven.
1. Goodspace (Melbourne)
Melburnians will hold Goodspace close to their chest, and for good reason. It’s a gem as far as vintage furniture sellers go. For one, owners Steph Lane and Holly Thompson have built the business with a goal to demystify the process of acquiring vintage design, and their digital platform is updated daily with new pieces.
2. Home Union (New York City)
Let’s clear the air by mentioning that while based in New York City, cult vintage furniture seller Home Union do, in fact, ship internationally – although we imagine the fees would be high. Now that that’s out of the way, it’s time to marvel at the calibre of pieces husband-and-wife team Daniel King and Meghan Lavery get their hands on, from Umbo shelving to Mario Bellino designs to vintage IKEA. It’s all here, and then some.
3. Pop Up Home (Los Angeles)
Tricia Benitez has slowly been growing Pop Up Home since the idea first came to her in 2009. What began as a monthly store in a nondescript warehouse, has transformed into a booming business servicing Angelenos with rare and unique furniture sourced from estate sales, flea markets and buyouts.
4. Tamsin Johnson Showroom (Sydney)
“A name that needs no introduction, and an editor that introduced our RUSSH Home issues. Not only does Tamsin Johnson create spaces that make you feel something, she rounds up antiques and oddities overflowing with character so that you can do the same. Head to her inventory page, you’re bound to encounter something that makes your heart skip a beat.” – Jasmine Pirovic
5. Rachel Donath (Melbourne)
“Rachel Donath is perhaps best known for her original furniture, such as the popular Wave Chair and Bohan Lamp. So you can imagine the kind of magic that happens when you allow the designer to curate a selection of vintage and antique furniture too. It’s how her eponymous business began, after all, and is a testament to her eye for “anything but cookie cutter”.” – Jasmine Pirovic
6. Curated Spaces (Melbourne)
Endlessly popular amongst the RUSSH editors and a huge portion of the east coast (it seems). Curated Spaces has an expansive offering of some of the most varied vintage and mid-century pieces we know. From a seemingly endless supply of Cesca style chairs to boucle Featherstons, marble coffee tables, retro lamps and the classic and covetable Wassily. Curated Spaces drops a new collection of pieces each Tuesday so if you happen to miss out, you’ll know when to expect your next chance.
7. Ma House Supply Store (Melbourne)
Ma House Supply Store is the brainchild of Ben Mooney, and is just over a year old. Set in Collingwood, the design store carries local designs and vintage finds that’ll put a spark in your own home.
8. Rewind Mid-Century (Brisbane)
Brisbane has its mid-century treasure troves too – and a current favourite is Shorncliffe’s Rewind Mid-Century. The space is open Tuesday-Thurday by appointment, and from Friday-Sunday from 10:30am until 4pm. They specialise in 50s, 60s and 70s restored furniture, lampshades and homewares. And if you don’t live in Brisbane, you can follow their Instagram to barter for pieces they post, and have them shipped.
9. Projects & Things (Melbourne)
Caspar who runs Projects & Things does restoration of vintage IKEA and mid-century pieces that have a more modern edge. Mostly his focus is on vintage lamps and chairs – but there’s the occasional shelving unit in there too.
10. Empire Revival (Brisbane)
Paddington’s Empire Revival (formerly known as Paddington Antique Centre) is a labyrinthian store filled to the brim with vintage jewellery, clothing, records, furniture, homewares and more from a range of independent sellers. You’ll find some very reasonably priced pieces in here alongside some real gems – from rare records to restored lamps to tin signage and even rugs. What’s more – it’s a great spot set amongst the beautiful old Plaza Theatre.
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