I always try to include antiques in my design projects. I have learned over the last ten years working as a designer that having a space look too perfect just isn’t interesting, and oftentimes adding in an older item with some patina does the trick to give a room some personality. Some of my clients are wary of antiques, or associate them with the oversized brown pieces from their childhood, though most people come around when they see that even an antique bowl set on a sideboard or a small side table (that’s not even necessarily brown) can do trick.
There are a few antiques shops here in LA that I visit frequently. Rosemarie McCaffery is a lovely Irish woman with a great eye, who imports items primarily from France. Here you will find large pieces like dining tables and buffets which can be expensive, though they will also often have smaller accessories like mirrors, chairs, and vases which can be much more affordable, yet still impactful.
Another longtime favorite shop of mine is Jefferson West. I think I have found something for every project I’ve ever done here. The shop is located in a large, warehouse-like space in Culver City, and houses antiques from all over Europe and the US. The owners are passionate about all of their pieces, and they also produce a few interesting custom pieces like this oak side table and this rattan and bamboo piece, both of which I have in my own home.
A shop that is new to me but that I am already a huge fan of is Melissa Levinson. This shop carries a great selection of Swedish, French, and English antiques spanning the 18th through early 20th century.
