1st Dibs

I think 1st Dibs is pretty fantastic. I never spend enough time going to antique stores for a couple of reasons.  First, its winter and I spend too much time in my office like a hibernating bear. Second, many of the good antique stores in New York City are overpriced and it can be depressing to find wonderful things only to know that the price tag is just simply out the question. So, since antiquing takes time, and coming home empty handed makes me feel anxious, I happily resort to 1st Dibs. I simply type in what I am looking for and there right in front of my eyes, within seconds, I am presented with thousands of choices. 

Modern design has always been my passion and I credit my mom and my clients (especially Paige) for opening my eyes to the wonders of antique and vintage furniture. A completely modern interior with no vintage pieces can  look one dimensional, but throw in some surprises from decades or centuries past, and the picture truly changes and becomes richer and more interesting.

Shopping at antiques stores outside of the city is what I do quite a lot of. I have spent many many hours at most of the antique stores in Atlanta where my husband’s family now lives. I do this on vacations where my husband and I can leave the girls with their grandparents, and I can have the luxury of being able to look through stores at a leisurely pace. I have also spent a lot of time in Bucks County rummaging through antique barns mostly with my husband and kids in tow. My husband loves antiquing as much as I do–my kids, not so much. It’s always helpful have a couple of treats in my bag to keep them motivated. My sister who lives in Pennsylvania has to be my heroine at being able to find the most incredible items for mere pennies.  (Lottie, you should be doing something with that talent of yours.)

1st Dibs has helped me too in identifying certain designers from the past that I might never have known about; often I will find myself being drawn to similar design like the Dutch lighting company RAAK. Without 1st Dibs, I am not sure I would have discovered them. Today I leave you with an item from 1st Dibs that I think is worth sharing. Its a dining table from the 1980’s with a glass top and enamel base you can get from The Warehouse here in NYC.  But go online yourself and find your own treasures. No matter what the cost, it cant hurt to look.