Move over, millennial gray! Many of today’s 30- and 40-somethings have said goodbye to bland interiors and are embracing artful antiques throughout their homes. Here, four vintage and antique dealers—all of whom happen to be millennials themselves—share their insights on the pieces that are gaining the most traction among their peers.
Antique Silver
Gone are the days of purchasing paper plates—millennials are looking to up the ante when it comes to hosting and are turning to silver and silverplate pieces in order to do so, explains Taylor Carver. As the owner of I Need A Bigger House in Washington, D.C., says, “Even pigs in a blanket seem gourmet when served on a silver tray—and a bonus is that these can be displayed as decor when not in use.”
Specialty Serveware
On a related note, specialty serving pieces—particularly those used to set out appetizers—are capturing millennials’ attention. “From caviar to oysters to sardines, elevated hors d’oeuvres are having a moment in dining culture, and so are the antique serving pieces that were originally made to serve them,” says Jacqueline Burrows, the founder of The Sleepy Flea in New York City. She’s frequently on the hunt for items including silver sardine forks, majolica sardine boxes, antique oyster plates, and vintage caviar servers. “They can be used at a modern-day dinner party while also carrying a unique story with them,” Burrows says.
Statement Ceramics
Millennials are falling head over heels for special ceramics, shares Catherine Tassin de Montaigu, the founder of De Montaigu Designs in Washington, D.C. These pieces are “not your grandmother’s diminutive plates with tiny flowers gracing the edges, but bold and weighty cabbageware, Aptware, spongeware, mochaware, and majolica,” she explains. “The ceramic pieces that are colorful, uniquely shaped, and were clearly crafted by talented artisans seem to have really captured the hearts (and wallets) of my peers.”
Historical Lithographs
Millennials in search of eye-catching yet affordable art are drawn to lithographs, Carver shares. “Antique lithographs and plates are consistently holding strong as some of the most popular pieces I find,” she says. “They tend to be more affordable than other mediums of wall art, like oil paintings, giving millennials access to the history and character of antique art without breaking the bank.”
Colorful Quilts
Buh-bye, boring bedding—quilts are having a resurgence, particularly among millennial buyers. “With the resurgence of patterned and colorful textiles, it’s no surprise that quilts have also seen a rise in popularity,” Carver says. “Largely hand-stitched and made with love, they add an instant dash of coziness and character to a room.”
Anything Analog
Nicole Letts, the founder of Grandmillennial Shop in Atlanta, has noticed shoppers craving analog pieces, “especially for timepieces like grandfather, kitchen, and mantel clocks.” Not only are these reminiscent of simpler times, they may also hold sentimental value, too. “Growing up, my grandmother had a clock that matched her everyday Pfaltzgraff dishes hanging in her kitchen,” Letts shares.
