Interior designer Athena Calderone shares her secret for sourcing beautiful antiques online
Athena Calderone and a few of our favorite design experts have shared their top tips on how to find antiques online and instore


By Megan Slack
Following the announcement that non-essential shops may reopen on April 12 in the UK, we're all feeling a little bit excited at the thought of getting lost in an antique store or- we dare say- an antique fair.
Despite the thrill of antique shopping, we admit that sourcing can feel slightly overwhelming, especially doing so online while we wait until April. Luckily design expert and Livingetc columnist Athena Calderone's has a clever trick for how to find antiques online.
Let's face it while we love going out shopping, there's really nothing like improving your home decor without having to undress from your pajamas.
In her discussion of sourcing antiques with Livingetc' Editor, Pic McCormac in the Home Truths podcast, Athena shared her top tip.
Athena suggests avoiding being too specific with your search terms. While it might sound counterintuitive to usual online shopping advice, the design expert swears her tip guarantees results.
'I usually always start with keywords. I think keywords are really important, especially if you are looking online. If I'm looking for a sideboard or a credenza, I won't put in something that is really specific. I was looking at [pieces from] the eighteenth century, trying to find things with a story to tell, and I do think that's what makes my home feel lived in.'
Athena continued, revealing that sourced goods make up the interior of her celebrated home. She focused on the mysterious nature of historical pieces, sharing how she can 'carry on some unknown story and breathe new life into something that has a rich, unknown history.'
'That grit is always apparent in my home,' Athena concluded.
How to find antiques instore
While Athena's advice is perfect if you prefer to peruse antiques from the comfort of your sofa. If you can't wait to get back into an antique store come April we asked a few of our favourite designers to share their top tips for sourcing hidden treasures.
1. Don't hesitate
If you've fallen for something that will inject a bit of Athena-approved grit into your home, be sure to pick it up at that moment- or it might just be too late. As Matt Goss, Antique Buyer from Pure White Lines revealed:
'If you spot something you love, go with your gut and buy it, or someone else will beat you to the punch. There's nothing worse than missing out on something you really wanted.'
'At fairs, we won't haggle for the sake of haggling. If we like the item and we think the price is fair, we buy it and move straight onto the next stall. European fairs are becoming more competitive each year, and top dealers will all recognize the quality and saleable bits, so be prepared to get in first and act quickly.
Even in Kempton park market in London, which is far more relaxed than the big European fairs, you can expect to see the best pieces sell in the first half an hour,' Matt warned.
2. Stay true to your emotions
The individuality of sourced goods is often the talking point to any home, but as Camilla Clarke, Creative Director of Albion Nord, shared, you must treat yourself to pieces that speak to you- even if you're not sure how it will look in a room. Go for it, and then deal with the intricacies of your interior later.
'Buy art for the love of art; if you see something that conjures up some sort of emotion in you, then you have connected,' emphasized Camilla.
'Start with that, start with a feeling. The art is there for everything else to fall around, so don't spend time trying to match everything together in the room, including the art; it can feel so contrived.'
3. Showcase your lifestyle
Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin, highlights Camilla's statement further, suggesting we should source items that speak to us and showcase our experiences and our lifestyle.
'The world is a source of myriad exciting treasures, and travel is a voracious source of inspiration. Since the wake of the travel generation, the accessibility to and interest in foreign textiles has boomed. People go for fabrics that bring energy and suggest they are unique.'
Martin continued: 'It is the final accents, the pieces of personal art, or the ornaments brought back from a recent travel that make a space yours and give it your personality, much like jewelry or cufflinks to an outfit.'
If you're looking for other ways to drench your home in personality, see our tips from Matthew Williamson, Jonathan Adler, and interiors experts who know.
-
-
On the House: Sophie Heawood's Property Binge. This week, town houses that feel like country homes
Sophie Heawood trawls Rightmove so you don't have to. This week, she unearths houses in towns that are like a breath of country air
By Sophie Heawood •
-
10 ideas for small gardens on a budget - how to maximise style for minimal cost
Small gardens on a budget are still easy to make look good. Especially with these clever ways to make the most of your outdoor space without a big spend
By Sarah Wilson •
-
On the House: Sophie Heawood's Property Binge. This week, town houses that feel like country homes
Sophie Heawood trawls Rightmove so you don't have to. This week, she unearths houses in towns that are like a breath of country air
By Sophie Heawood •
-
Before and After: This old French Chateau in Cognac has been transformed into a modern home
Tour this alluring Southern French maze – from the chandelier in the clock tower to the speakeasy in the basement
By Megan Slack •
-
Abigail Ahern's controversial paint advice may change the way you decorate – for good
The esteemed designer has just made her most daring statement yet. Will you follow her bold advice?
By Megan Slack •
-
Experts react to the color that could overtake green as the most popular shade of the year
Resist the green paintbrush until you hear about the latest shade that is set to be the most popular color of the season
By Megan Slack •
-
Has IKEA reopened? Here's what you can do now lockdown restrictions have eased
There’s good news for shoppers and Daim cake lovers in England, Scotland, and Wales – here’s what you can do from today
By Millie Hurst •
-
Five cool ways to style the IKEA RUDSTA – the cabinet taking Instagram by storm
It’s not hard to see the appeal behind this chic cabinet – designers share how you should style yours
By Megan Slack •
-
Dermatologist explains how your bedding is affecting your skin – and what fabric you should be using instead
From cool cotton to stylish silk, this is the type of fabric that is best for your skin concern
By Megan Slack •
-
David Adjaye's Lost House has sold for almost £6.5 million – take a look inside this unique ultra-modern home
David Adjaye's Lost House is a home unlike any other in the world, blending visionary design with luxury living
By Anna Cottrell •