9 Brands You Should Always Look For When Thrifting And Antiquing

Never pass up these secondhand finds.

One of the joys of secondhand shopping is never knowing what you’re going to find. That said, it’s extra satisfying when you take to the thrift store or antique mall and come upon a brand that you already know is top quality and special. If you’re stumped by all of the various names that you come across while walking through booth after booth, we’re here to help you by sharing some of the top brands that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with before your next shopping trip. The next time you spot one of these types of pieces, you’ll most definitely want to do a little happy dance.

Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen furniture is known for being high quality and timeless, and Kristin Keyes, the founder of Kristin Keyes Interiors in Nashville, likes to keep her eyes peeled for vintage pieces from the brand. “Their pieces are all-wood, well-made, and they bring a nostalgic feel to client spaces—plus, brown furniture is coming back,” she says.

Thomasville

If you’re head over heels for faux bamboo furniture, you’ll want to be on the lookout for vintage Thomasville pieces when shopping secondhand. These well-made chests, dressers, desks, and beyond are a grandmillennial favorite and look extremely beautiful lacquered with a pop of vibrant colored paint.

Culver Canella

Culver Cannella glassware is perfect for the serial entertainer looking to spruce up their bar cart. These mid-century modern drinking vessels feature a cane-like design plated in 22 karat gold and retail for a pretty penny on resale websites. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon a set at a low price while out thrifting, you’ve most definitely scored big!

Orrefors

Orrefors glassware is absolutely beautiful and complements a wide range of aesthetics—the pieces are minimal in nature but will shine in busier, pattern-filled homes, too. Even if you don’t know it by name, you’re likely familiar with Orrferors’ Corona crystal bowls, which are popular collectibles. Place one on your coffee table and use it to house your matchbook collection! Orrefors designs will pop up everywhere—you may find it at Goodwill or at a higher end antique mall—and they are truly timeless.

Mid-Century Modern Classics

If you’re an MCM enthusiast, you’ll want to keep an eye out for well-known brands including Eames, Saarinen, or Wegner, urges Ginger Curtis, the CEO and founder of Urbanology Designs in Dallas, Texas. Keep in mind that these pieces are most definitely splurge worthy, so they may be better used as inspiration—you can find many reproductions that will help you achieve a similar look on a more reasonable budget. Other key MCM brands to keep on your radar when shopping vintage include American of Martinsville, Baker Furniture, Knoll, and Milo Baughman, to name a few.

North Carolina-Made Furniture Brands

The state of North Carolina is known for being home to top-tier furniture makers including Hickory Chair, Henredon, and Century. Ashley Hanley, the founder of an eponymous firm in Richmond, says that when there is indication that a furniture piece was made in North Carolina, this is “a great sign that it is a quality made, eight-way hand tied piece of furniture.”

McCoy

McCoy pottery is popular among collectors, and Keyes enjoys sourcing vintage vessels for client projects. “I went down a major rabbit hole searching for pots and planters,” she says of sourcing planters for a client whose home is filled with green friends. “The McCoy pieces are beautiful, coordinate well together, and often cost less than new planters at the plant store.” 

Virginia Metal Crafters

Hanley likes to pick up smaller decor items from this brand when she comes across them. “They made so many beautiful brass goods ranging from sconces, candlesticks, door knockers to trivets,” she says.

Any Contemporary Brands You Love That You Can Source For Less

Thrift stores are full of a mixture of vintage and contemporary brands—and that means that you may be fortunate enough to stumble upon pieces from some of your favorite big box retailers alongside decades-old finds. These items are particularly prevalent on resale sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Keyes says. “If I have a piece in my cart at Serena & Lily, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, or Crate & Barrel, I always do a quick look around Facebook Marketplace to see if I can get the piece or something similar secondhand,” she explains. “These retailers are huge, and their most popular pieces are pretty abundant out there.” Recently, she sourced a pair of Restoration Hardware nightstands on Facebook Marketplace at a significant discount. Now that North Carolina-based brand Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams has gone out of business, Keyes has been searching for items from that retailer, too. 

Related: 9 Décor Items You Should Never Buy New

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.