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Experts Weigh In On What's Popular   The 70's Returns... Again New York - For most people the allure of antiques and vintage pieces lies in their ability to transport us to a bygone era, whispering stories of craftsmanship, history, and timeless design. But for those working within the industry, dealers say it's more about zeroing-in on the actual items that customers want from bygone eras, rather than just whispers of what might be popular. In order to drill down on what some of those trends could be, writers at the Institute reached out to some industry-insiders, decorative experts, and knowledgeable long-term business owners, to get their take on six antique and vintage trends they say are likely to grow in 2025. 1. Swedish Antiques Antiques from Sweden, particularly those from the early 20th century, are gaining renewed interest. Celebrated for their simplicity, functionalism, and elegant design, these pieces blend modernist aesthetics with human-centric warmth. Interior designers like Giancarlo Valle and Lee Mindel appreciate Swedish antiques for their ability to provide comfort and connection in contemporary homes. Hannah Karlsson, a vintage dealer who's been importing items from Sweden for over twenty years, says prices have been jumping recently, citing a Josef Frank cabinet that recently sold for a record price of $347,600, highlighting the growing demand for what Karlsson says is, "all things Swedish."  Swedish Antiques Setting Record Prices 2. The Reign of Retro: 1970s Furniture and Decor Move over, mid-century modern! The funky and free-spirited aesthetic of the 1970s is making a bold comeback once again, with warm tones, bold geometric patterns, and organic shapes. "We're seeing a resurgence of interest in 1970s pieces, particularly furniture with a sculptural quality," says Naomi Black, owner of San Diego and South Beach vintage furniture stores, Retro Infusions. "Think of those iconic conversation pits, rattan furniture, and anything with a touch of macrame." People are drawn to the warmth and comfort of this era says Black. "Three years ago we were just getting coastal customers," she says, "but today our client base is from urban areas across the country." Black notes that scoring quality inventory has become increasingly difficult as not only decorative buyers, but collectors are now also on the hunt for good 70s-era examples.  Oxblood Leather Furniture 3. Oxblood Furniture & Interiors The deep, earthy hue of oxblood is making a significant comeback in many interior design circles. Historically prominent in ancient art and the Art Deco period, oxblood offers a sophisticated and rich aesthetic. Interior designers such as Stephania Kallos and Abigail Turin are incorporating this color into their projects, signalling a shift from the neutral palettes of previous years to a bolder, more maximalist approach. "This trend reflects a desire for interiors that exude warmth and timeless elegance," says Rachel Higgins, a leather furniture expert, whose UK antiques collective specialises in antique and vintage leather items from the turn of the twentieth century. "Leather furniture never really goes out of style," says Higgins, "but recently, its surged, as almost all areas of decorating are returning to more traditional and wood themed interiors." Higgins says that pricing for classic leather oxblood club chairs and sofas is up over eighty-percent from last year, and believes that those numbers will continue to climb as the general availability for authentic and untouched pristine examples continues to decline. 4. Vintage Bathroom Fixtures Unique and coloured vintage bathroom fixtures are experiencing a new found life says Dominic Taylor. A long-time staple of the community, Taylor's family-run Boston based antique and vintage salvage business has pivoted in recent years towards old plumbing and lighting fixtures. "We're still doing large-scale architectural salvage says Taylor, "but recently it's been about some of the 'innards' from these buildings that have really taken off." Taylor says that in the past, old plumbing fixtures were often overlooked, but that today people are willing to pay a premium for something you can't find at a big-box store. "Most of the older fixtures were simply made to last longer.," he says, "you're buying quality craftsmanship, but at half the Home-Depot price." Interior design specialist, Natalie Young also echoed that sentiment, and says that homeowners are seeking out rare and well-manufactured pieces from designers like Luigi Colani and Gio Ponti to add character to their spaces, while embracing these types of fixtures for their authenticity and distinctiveness.  Vintage Brass Plumbing Fixtures 5. Japandi's Gentle Embrace: Wabi-Sabi Charm The fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, known as Japandi, is gaining momentum. This aesthetic emphasizes natural materials, clean lines, and a sense of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection). "Antique Japanese ceramics, wooden furniture with a natural finish, and textiles with subtle textures are perfect for achieving the Japandi look," says Hana Tanaka, a long-time collector and interior designer who utilises Asian antiques throughout her work. "These pieces bring a sense of tranquillity and harmony to a space," she says, "and are a perfect foil for the somewhat austere and rigid modernity associated with the Mid-century motif." Tanaka says she probably had fewer than ten requests a season for Japandi two years ago, but that today she's now seeing that on a monthly basis. "It's a trend for sure," she says, "but Japanese minimalism mixed with Scando has always had it's followers, it's just that there's a lot more of them now."  Primitive Japandi Bench 6. Eclectic Mix: The Art of Curated Collections "In 2025, the focus is going to be on creating curated collections that reflect personal style and tell a story," says Sherry Golding of Seattle's Active Interiors & Antiques. Mixing different eras, motifs, and materials is going to be key she says. "We're decorating with everything under the sun this year - from Art Deco furniture blended with space-age 70s modular shelving units - to Victorian marble-topped tables and bean bag chairs." Golding says that interest in combining styles has really picked up over the last couple of years as many of her clients have begun to shy away from a one-size fits-all decorative look for their homes. "It's a nice mesh for the store too," says Golding, "since it means we're able to offer a broader range of antique and vintage items rather than having to compete with other dealers for a particularly popular style like MCM." Interior designer Scott Harvey, who also works with Golding at a number of national shows and display events, says the key to the 'curated' trends continued popularity is making sure that the look feels cohesive, personal and unique. "There's a lot of decorative items to choose from, he says, "but in the end, they all have to blend." As with any field that involves speculation, actual outcomes can differ widely from expectations. However, with careful planning, thorough research, and a keen eye for emerging decorative arts trends, savvy dealers can potentially position themselves ahead of the curve when it comes to anticipating this year’s best bests for top antique and vintage buys. And if things don’t pan out exactly as hoped—well, there’s always next year. - A.I.A. Staff Writers  NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page.
Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Industry Insiders Chime-In On What To Collect For Future Gains  50s Nostalgia Returns New York - In the ever-evolving world of collecting, certain antique and vintage items often fly under the radar, only to later skyrocket in popularity and value. Savvy collectors know that identifying these hidden gems early on can often lead to rewarding and profitable endeavours down the road. However, it wasn’t that long ago that some antiques and collectibles had fallen from favor among those in certain design circles. But these days, antique and vintage shows are often labeled as one of the hottest selling tickets in town, with events like the Winter Show in New York, London's Decorative Antiques & Textile Fair in Battersea Park, the Washington Winter Show, and the Nashville Antiques & Garden Show all generating huge attendance numbers. So, if you're looking to stand out from the crowd this year and want to invest in a few antiques and collectibles that could have the potential to become super popular (read valuable) in the near-term, you might want to consider adding a few of these items to your future collection.  "Diner Décor" Finds New Devotees The 1950's Returns While many baby-boomers still have fond memories of Happy Days reruns and Grease flashbacks, it's another generation that seems to be spinning the wheel forward, at least according to David Kirk, who runs a 1950's vintage themed store in Nevada. "It's all about the kids" says Kirk. "I've been doing this for almost forty years, when boomers were my only customers, but today it's like a third-generation removed." Kirk says that many of his 'younger' clients love the vintage leather jackets, sunglasses, retro-converted car seats, and sock-hop poster memorabilia that adorns his store walls. "It's not Mid-Century stuff per se," says Kirk, "but more like the chrome and vinyl soda-shop bar stools - or what I like to call juke-box décor." Kirk, who also runs an online version of his 50s store, says that sales really began to take-off last year. "I have absolutely no idea why," he mused, but thinks that some of the newfound interest in his 50s-themed Americana items may just be part of a younger generations desire to harken back to what was often perceived as a simpler and less strenuous time in life to grow up in. "I've sold more bobby socks and saddle-shoe combos to kids in their 20s over the last ten months, than over the last five years," says Kirk, "There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to it, other than perhaps a possible breaking trend."  John Bourne Portrait Sails Past 150K Estimate, Sells For 2.67M American Folk Art - Portraits According to some of the top auction houses, sales of Early American antiques are beginning their rise back to prominence within the decorative arts scene, however, a number of auction researchers are also reporting that one particular genre within this field is showing stronger than expected sales. Included in this group is Christie’s Sallie Glover, a specialist in Early American Folk Art who has been predicting the rise in art portraiture for a number of years now. “American folk portraiture appeals to many different types of collectors,” says Glover. “These works can go just as well with traditional American furniture as they do with a modern interior.” Glover's sentiments seem to match other results for online auction reports that also indicate a noticeable rise in popularity for this type of art form. Doris Henley, an Early American themed online dealer who also aggregates realized auction prices for her business, says that sales of her folk art portraits have ballooned over the past ten months. "I could see it coming," says Henley, "at first it was just a dribble, but then it really opened up about a year ago and the prices started to climb." Henley says she doesn't expect the popularity of folk art to wane anytime soon. "Brown wood and history are just coming back into vogue," she says, "this run has a long way to go yet."  Mongolian Hand-Painted Chest Decorated Chests Inaya Abbas, who runs a specialty themed bricks-and-clicks business devoted to antique blanket boxes and chests, says that while numbers ramped-up after the pandemic and remained constant for the next couple of years, it wasn't until the end of 2023 that she really began to notice an uptick in requests for items and sales of some of her more ornate inventory. "Shaker stuff was selling," says Abbas, "but the more exotic chests that I'd had shipped back from Asia and the Middle East really started to move by the early part of 2024. It's as if a light went off and everyone suddenly decided they had to have a blanket box - it's been crazy busy," she says. Abbas, who's been selling within the decorative arts scene for almost fifteen-years, believes that we're just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg now as people move further away from today's modern motif as a core decorating principle. "I think it's just time for a change, people seem to want more warmth and color now."   Georgian Wine Coolers Popular "Some" Georgian Furniture Backing up Abbas's claim, Noel Fahden, the vice president of merchandising at the online antiques and vintage juggernaut Chairish, also indicated that sales of blanket chests and antique boxes had been on the rise recently, particularly those with original decorative painted finishes. "They can be Swedish or Pennsylvania German, but the more ornamentation the better,” she said. Fahden also went on to note that it wasn't just blanket boxes that had become popular, as she'd also witnessed a pronounced resurgence in traditional furniture over the last year as well. “This ran the gamut from Chippendale to Federal and included both American Colonial Revival pieces and original English and Continental antiques,” said Fahden. Overall, Chairish has recently reported strong upward sales related to almost all aspects of the brown furniture genre.  Old Rotary's On The Rise Rotary Phones While it may be hard for some to fathom, since it might only seem like yesteryear that we were all on landlines (we were), Jin Chang says that sales from his retro collection of last century's rotary phones has been on a skyward trajectory since he opened his private collection website to the public and online sales in 2022. "Most of my buyers are Asian kids who love tech stuff." says Chang, "but it's slowly beginning to change." Chang thinks that most of his clients just want that connection to early past tech, and they're willing to pay for it. When he first started out, Chang claims that finding inventory was easy - it was plentiful and cheap - but no longer. "You can still buy some cool 'hole-dialers' at good prices," he notes, but admits that much has changed over the last year or two. "I now have to compete for inventory in some places," he says, "it's not like the old days where you could literally find examples that had been thrown out with the trash." Chang believes that on average, prices for many of his better quality rotary's have probably doubled in price over the last year, and he doesn't see that slowing down anytime soon. "I've got more demand than supply," he says, "so until that changes, I think the market will continue to remain strong well into 2025."  Ceramics Begin Comeback Vintage Studio Ceramics Once lacking in the doldrums, vintage studio ceramics finally look to be making a comeback as well, at least according to many auction-house insiders and industry dealers. Benjamin Walker, Bonham's head of global decorative arts and design department, says that the auction house is seeing a comeback in interest for clay. “The international market for contemporary British ceramics is well established and has been growing in strength,” says Walker, “We’re now seeing a growing trend in American studio ceramics that is following this interest. Over the past five to ten years the category has gained more public interest and climbed in value.” Recent sales would seem to back-up Walker's claim, as examples from auction results showing a 1968 Hans Coper vase (with top) being sold for a record-setting $790,000 last year. Pam Newley, a New York artist who works in clay, and who also runs an established online gallery devoted to early twentieth-century American ceramics, says that she's also seen a marked increase in interest by consumers for quality ceramic pieces as well - and not just those from studios. "Ten years ago there just wasn't that much of a market for clay anymore," she says, "but in the last two or three years it's all started to come back." Newley, who's been in business for almost thirty-years knows it's cyclical, of course, but says that, "It's just starting-up again," so for those looking to get in on the ground-floor as collectors or re-sellers, "now would probably be a good time." For most though, trying to ascertain the vagaries and movement patterns of 'in-demand' objects within the field of the decorative arts can often make one feel like you've got a better chance of nailing water to the wall, than getting a reliable market prognostication of things to come. However, as David Kirk is fond of reminding people who visit his store's 1950s-inspired website, "Figuring out what's going to be hot and collectible is easy; it's all just a matter of heading back to the future again... right?" - A.I.A. Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page.
Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Hidden Gems Revving Up Antique Industry  Cashing In On The Thrill Of The Hunt New York - In a world increasingly dominated by mass-produced goods and fast-fashion, there’s a growing allure to the unique, the historic, and one-of-a-kind. Stories of people stumbling upon priceless paintings, rare jewellery, and valuable antiques at garage & estate sales, thrift stores, and flea markets are becoming more common as many of these venues have now become fertile ground for unearthing some remarkable finds. These serendipitous discoveries by a new generation of treasure hunters are not only changing the fortunes of a few, but are also helping to reshape an industry by igniting a renewed and vibrant interest in how the antique and vintage marketplace is viewed. For many, the appeal of hunting for vintage and antique items lies in the thrill of the unexpected. “You never know what you’re going to find,” says Sarah Thompson, a seasoned antique dealer based in Fishers, Indiana. “I’ve seen people buy a $10 painting at a garage sale only to discover it’s worth thousands. It’s like a treasure hunt, and that excitement can be contagious,” she says. Thompson recalls when a fellow antique dealer she knew made headlines when he purchased a dusty old still-life painting at a thrift store for $30 that, after doing some research, turned out to be a lost work by American painter Martin Johnson Heade, which later went on to sell for 1.2 million. Thompson says that while discoveries of this magnitude are obviously rare, "finds" in the thousand to five-thousand dollar range are becoming much more common today as baby-boomers continue to divest themselves of high-end lifetime collections. "Garage and estate sales can often yield far better quality items now than they did twenty-years ago," says Thompson, "but you have to be willing to compete with weekend-warriors equipped with Google Lens and eBay price-checker apps to find the treasure." Despite the challenges, Thompson says these finds underscore the potential that's often hidden in plain sight.  Thrift Store "Find" By Artist Heade Sells For $1.2 Million The rise of second-hand shopping and the popularity of platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace have also democratized access to antique and vintage items. No longer confined to high-end auction houses or exclusive galleries, the antique market is now accessible to anyone with a keen eye and a bit of luck. “The internet has changed everything,” says James Andrews, an appraiser and host of the popular podcast Antique Adventures. “People can research items on the spot, compare prices, and connect with experts instantly. It’s opened up the market to a whole new generation of collectors.” Andrews says that he's hearing about spectacular 'finds' on his podcast on a regular basis now. "Before we'd often get the story second-hand," he admits, "but today I'm interviewing people almost weekly who are scoring big at garage and estate sales on a pretty consistent basis." This accessibility has also made the market more inclusive. “Younger people are getting into antiques because they see it as sustainable and unique,” says Emily Carter, a vintage jewellery dealer in Brooklyn. “They’re not just buying things - they’re buying stories.” Carter says she's also seen some great "picks" from these younger entrants, as their enviable tech skills often allow them to source, locate, and determine the value of garage and estate sale finds more quickly than certain other demographic groups. "It's a skill-set that can often come in handy when trying to separate the trash from the treasure," she says.  $20 Bangle Buys Selling For Over $1,000 Are Common Says Carter Carter also believes that the current antique and vintage market is benefiting from a shift toward sustainable consumption. “Buying second-hand is inherently eco-friendly,” she says, “you’re giving new life to items that already exist, rather than contributing to the demand for new production.” This 'sustainable' sentiment is also echoed by millennials and Gen Z shoppers as well, who are often the driving force when it comes to discovering today's vintage gems in second-hand fashion, furniture and décor. In fact, according to a recent report by the online retailer ThredUp, the second-hand market is now projected to double in the next couple of years, reaching $350 billion by 2027, with antique and vintage items accounting for a significant portion of this growth. Social media has also played a pivotal role in helping to fuel the treasure-hunter trend, as platforms like Instagram and TikTok are often filled with influencers showcasing their thrift store hauls, DIY upcycling projects, and antique finds. “Social media has made antiquing cool again,” says Beverly Reid, whose online marketing company focuses almost exclusively on developing brand awareness for those in the decorative arts businesses. “People in this industry love sharing their discoveries, and it's inspiring others to start hunting for their own treasures.” One of Reid's clients, 27-year-old influencer Mia Rodriguez, has amassed over 500,000 followers on TikTok by documenting her thrift store adventures. “I started thrifting as a way to save money, but now it’s turned into a passion,” she says. “I’ve found everything from vintage Chanel bags to mid-century modern furniture. It’s amazing what people will donate or sell without actually realizing its value.”  Young "Influencers" Often Lead The Hunt For many industry-watchers this fresh supply of interest in the antique and vintage marketplace is having a tangible economic impact, with organizations such as the Antique Dealers’ Association of America reporting strong increases in sales numbers over the past few years with younger buyers leading the way. “Our online show is also noting a similar market shift and evolution,” says James Andrews of his weekly podcast. “It’s not just about high-end antiques anymore. People are looking for unique, affordable pieces that reflect their personal style. That’s where garage sales and flea markets come in - they can be a goldmine for hidden gems.” As the antique and vintage market continues to grow, experts predict that the trend of finding valuable items in unexpected places will only gain momentum, especially as baby-boomer collections continue to hit the market en masse. “The more people hear about these incredible finds, the more they’ll be inspired to start treasure-hunting themselves,” says Sarah Thompson. “It’s a win-win for everyone - buyers, sellers, and even those worried about saving the planet.” A.I.A. Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page.
Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. |
AIA StaffWe're providing our students and reader's with the latest breaking news on events and happenings that we think might be of interest to both collectors and dealers alike. Including changes within the world of antiques, vintage, collectibles and appraising that might just have an effect on your bottom line. We're also interested in hearing from you - so if you've got a great newsworthy story, let us know, and you just might find it here! Archives
May 2025
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