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A House Beautiful report gathers 10 types of antiques interior designers say they look for at estate sales, including glassware, candlesticks, pottery, furniture, rugs, artwork, books and intaglios. Designers describe their appeal for decorating, but the report does not establish typical prices, availability or investment value.
A House Beautiful report names 10 kinds of antiques that interior designers say they look for at estate sales, from vintage glassware and pottery to rugs, artwork and old books. The designers describe the pieces as ways to add color, texture and personality to a home, while the report offers individual design advice rather than evidence that these items are consistently cheap or valuable.
The list draws on comments from Krystal Reinhard, founder and principal designer of Old Soul Design Studio; Valerie Helgeson, founder and lead designer at Design Directions; and Paige Loperfido, founder and principal designer of Decor & More Design Studio. Their recommendations cover practical objects, decorative finds and larger furnishings.
The 10 categories are vintage glassware, candlestick holders, copper kitchenware, pottery, culturally rich treasures, distinctive furniture, vintage rugs, artwork, old books and intaglios. Examples include goblets and ice buckets; Chinese antiques such as foo dogs and ginger jars; vintage ceramics; leather-bound books; and finely detailed etched artworks.
The designers suggest using these finds in varied ways: arranging candlesticks in pairs or groups, displaying pottery on shelves, layering rugs beneath seating, and stacking books on tables or shelves. Reinhard says she looks for original art at estate sales, while Loperfido describes vintage tableware as both useful and suitable for display. These are designers’ preferences and styling suggestions, not a ranking based on sales data or a guarantee about any particular item.
Why Designers Seek These Finds
The roundup gives shoppers a practical starting point in a sale environment where items are sold from a home and decisions may need to be made quickly. Focusing on categories such as glassware, pottery, rugs and artwork can help visitors notice objects that designers say bring character or visual interest, rather than concentrating only on obvious furniture or collectibles.
The advice also highlights that an antique’s usefulness need not depend on rarity or resale value. Designers describe objects that can serve a function, such as copper kitchenware, while also contributing to a room’s appearance. Books can provide height when used as risers; a rug can anchor seating; and a small candlestick or intaglio can add detail. The report does not claim that these pieces will suit every home or buyer.
For readers, the distinction between decorating appeal and market value matters. The designers’ comments explain why they personally select these objects, but they do not supply appraisals, condition checks, price comparisons or guarantees of authenticity. A shopper should judge each item on its own condition, provenance and asking price.
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How the Designers Shop Estate Sales
Estate sales differ from browsing many antique shops because objects can be seen in the homes where they were collected and used. House Beautiful says some items may not have passed through a dealer and may cost less than comparable pieces in antique shops. That is presented as a possible advantage, not a measured price finding or a promise that estate-sale prices are lower.
Reinhard says seeing objects in their original settings can help her assess quality, scale and patina. Helgeson, by contrast, emphasizes the speed of the search and the need to trust one’s instincts. She says she often arrives open-minded and sometimes buys something she had not expected to seek, though copper kitchenware is a recurring target.
The report’s recommendations span both specific categories and broad visual qualities. Helgeson looks for furniture with a strong silhouette, while Reinhard seeks rugs with color, pattern and age. Loperfido highlights objects she considers culturally rich, including Chinese antiques and distinctive ceramics. The source does not provide a checklist for identifying an item’s age, maker or authenticity.
“It makes it easier to spot quality, scale, and patina.”
— Krystal Reinhard, founder and principal designer of Old Soul Design Studio
Prices, Condition and Provenance
The report does not state when the article was published in the supplied material, provide data on how often the 10 categories appear at estate sales, or compare their typical prices with those at dealers. Its suggestion that some estate-sale items may cost less is not supported here by a price sample or a defined comparison.
It also does not verify the age, origin, condition or authenticity of any specific object. Those details can vary from item to item, and the designers’ recommendations should not be read as appraisal advice. Whether a piece is a good buy depends on the object itself, its condition and the price requested.
What Shoppers Can Check
The report does not announce a follow-up event or provide a schedule for upcoming estate sales. For shoppers using its list, the next step is to inspect individual pieces and compare asking prices with their own budget and intended use. Buyers interested in a particular maker, period or cultural origin may need additional research beyond the designers’ styling guidance.
At the sale, the suggested categories can serve as a prompt to look beyond familiar furniture: check shelves and dining areas for ceramics and glassware, scan walls for artwork, and look for rugs, books and smaller decorative objects. The article’s central advice is selective rather than prescriptive: the designers value pieces for qualities such as craftsmanship, silhouette, texture and character, but shoppers must decide whether a specific find meets their own needs.
Key Questions
Which 10 antiques do the designers recommend looking for?
The list includes vintage glassware, candlestick holders, copper kitchenware, pottery, culturally rich treasures, distinctive furniture, vintage rugs, artwork, old books and intaglios.
Do estate sales always offer lower prices?
No. House Beautiful says items that have not passed through a dealer may cost less than similar pieces in antique shops, but the report provides no price data or guarantee that any particular sale will be cheaper.
What does the report say about using antiques in a home?
The designers suggest displaying objects as well as using them. Examples include grouping candlesticks, placing pottery on shelves, using rugs to anchor seating, and stacking books on tables or using them as risers.
Does the article verify an item’s age or authenticity?
No. It offers designers’ recommendations and styling ideas, not authentication or appraisal guidance. Age, condition, origin and value remain specific to each object.
Source: housebeautiful.com
