Where to Find Vintage Furniture + Décor in the ‘Burgh
Get to know our favorite local curators of vintage finds for your home.
When we’re pulling a design scheme together, we often find ourselves looking for a one-of-a-kind piece that helps move the needle from “good” to “great” — and often, the solution we land on is vintage. From furniture, to art, to other home décor and collectibles, there are endless options to explore. And while the entirety of the internet is at all of our fingertips, Pittsburgh (splendidly old, and oh so kitsch) happens to be a treasure trove.
Why Vintage?
Aesthetics and nostalgia aside, there are so many other fantastic reasons to include vintage pieces in your home!
First, buying vintage is ethical and sustainable. This furniture has already existed on our planet for decades. When you buy authentic vintage (versus new reproductions made to look old) from a seller near you, you’re simultaneously supporting your local economy and helping to reduce global consumer demand. The environmental impact is two-fold: less overall pollutants from furniture manufacturing, plus lowered emissions due to shipping the pieces here from overseas. Like the world of fashion, “fast furniture” is a big and very real problem. Buying vintage helps to solve it.
If you’re someone who cares a lot about quality, vintage furniture is often unparalleled. Unlike churn and burn flat-pack pieces that can’t survive a short move across our pothole-riddled town, vintage furniture is often incredibly robust and sturdy. It can be repaired, refinished, restored, reupholstered, and just about any of those other “re-” words out there that make you feel all warm and fuzzy. And compared to that expensive new department store sectional you’ve been eyeing, a vintage piece actually has the potential to increase in value as it ages. Think of it as a great investment!
But Aren’t Vintage Pieces Expensive…
The short answer: No, not always!
One piece of housekeeping before we get to our local round-up: In the world of furniture and décor, “vintage” typically describes something that’s more than 20, but less than 100 years old. Anything older than that is considered to be an “antique.” While those items are totally beautiful and special in their own way (and often make appearances in our designs), they’re not our first go-to for a few simple reasons. Antiques tend to be less practical, more expensive, and logistically harder to source. On the other hand, vintage furniture and décor can often be easy to find and quite affordable by comparison. Especially in a city like ours with an aging population and lots of estate sales.
There are of course those rare, holy-grail type vintage items that can cost as much, if not more than certain antique or new pieces. Or particular vintage items that suddenly become incredibly trendy and expensive. But if you’re flexible with your criteria and timeline, and have a helpful friend or relative with a truck, there are some truly amazing deals to be had!
Ultimately, we aim to create spaces that are not just beautiful, but functional. We want the people who live inside of our designs to use and enjoy their homes — including the furniture and décor — every day.
So which local sellers keep us coming back time and again? Read on!
Best of the ‘Burgh: Vintage Furniture + Décor
1. Forage Vintage + Goods | IG: @foragevintageandgoods
Since she was young, Natalie Wolfe of Forage Vintage + Goods has loved the world of vintage. She often spent time visiting estate sales and antique shops on her own, making friends with the older folks who ran them. She hopes to spread the beauty and sustainability of second-hand furniture with those who may be unfamiliar in the city she loves to call home.
If you see any styled shelves in our project photos, chances are there’s a piece or two from Forage in the mix.
2. Mon Modern | IG: @_mon_modern______
Ryan Yee draws a thread between the vintage items he sources and their physical representation of past memories. He started Mon Modern in 2018 as a passion project stemming from his interest in interior design and the history of objects. When sourcing, he looks for conversation starters that are high-style, whimsical, handmade, and fit into modern homes.
See if you can spot an adorable ceramic chicken from Mon Modern in our Modern Rustic Kitchen project. And don’t miss the great catch-all baskets in our Warm + Welcoming Foyer!
3. Pack Vintage | IG: @packvintage
Drawing from a technical background in architecture and urban permaculture, Sarah Pack’s design DNA is rooted in sustainability. As a natural extension of her design practice, Pack Vintage (which she describes as a “MishMash”) sources everything from furniture, art, and décor, to the occasional fashion or lifestyle piece. Vintage Italian sunglasses? Check.
The stunning pair of saffron chenille swivel chairs in our Eclectic Sitting Room are from Pack Vintage. The seemingly made-for-my-body vintage banker’s chair I’m sitting in as I write this is, too — but alas, my office is not photo ready.
4. Rare Bird Finds | IG: @rarebirdfinds412
After taking a short digital break to focus on Pittsburgh’s busy holiday market season, Laurie Sloan of Rare Bird Finds is back this month with some great secondhand finds. She describes her brand as the intersection of age, beauty, and function — and finds joy in helping the unique items she sources move on to their next life.
I first became aware of Rare Bird Finds during their fundraiser last year in support of Ukraine. I nabbed a great Polish cookbook from 1948 (pictured) that I gave to Patrick as a gift.
5. Revival MCM | IG: @revival_mcm
Robyn Davies describes herself as a one man band, not unlike her Pap Pap who sold tomatoes on the side of the road. With Revival MCM, she aims to be transparent, flexible, and affordable for her buyers — sourcing throughout the tri-state area for Midcentury and other vintage pieces. If you find you’re less interested in décor, this furniture-focused seller is for you.
Stay tuned for some Rockledge project updates coming later this year featuring pieces from Revival MCM.
6. Thriftique | IG: @thriftiquepgh
The only brick-and-mortar shop on our list, all proceeds from Lawrenceville’s Thriftique benefit the Pittsburgh branch of The National Council of Jewish Women, a volunteer organization focused on child welfare, women’s rights, and reproductive freedom. While they’re primarily a secondhand clothing store known for carrying designer labels, Thriftique often has amazing vintage furniture and home décor pieces, too.
If you’re new to the world of vintage furniture and décor, we hope you’re feeling inspired to include a few pieces in your next home design project. If you’re already a fan, where are your favorite places to find vintage throughout Pittsburgh? Tell us who’s on your list in the comments below.
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