THE TREASURE HUNTER I

The Treasure Hunter

Curating Timeless Interiors from 1stDibs’ Editorial Director Anthony Barzilay Freund

First launched in 2000 as an online marketplace for antiques, 1stDibs has grown to be one of the world’s most popular, trusted and respected resources for rare and opulent home furnishings and décor—think custom chaises and Art Deco side tables, Chanel cushions, Italian vases, 18th-century oil paintings, statement mirrors and postmodern pendant lights.

But what should an aspiring home curator/designer do before adding to their collection and infusing a room with vintage charm? Anthony Barzilay Freund, Editorial Director at 1stDibs, answers our most pressing questions—from today's most in-demand designs to time-honored investments, big buying mistakes, access to vetted interior advisors and more.

CAROLYN MEERS

How do you source and curate items on the site?

We work with more than 6,000 sellers from around the world. We have a very strong vetting process that is used to determine the sellers that we work with, which allows us to offer a highly curated shopping experience.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to integrate a rare or collectible design into their home?

The biggest mistake I see people make when trying to integrate rare collectibles into their homes is using too many classic pieces, or only using pieces from one period or style. The most interesting rooms are achieved through confident curation, which means layering iconic pieces with lesser-known works, deploying antiques, vintage and newly minted items in a way that sparks an interesting conversation among them. It’s also achieved by decorating without paying too much attention to name brands and trophies.

What are some of today’s most popular, coveted collectibles or antique home decor pieces?

In terms of what we refer to as “Iconic Designs,” Hermès bags (specifically Birkin and Kelly bags) are our top sellers, taking over that position from Faye Toogood’s eternally popular Roly Poly chairs. Charlotte Perriand’s CP1 wall lights, Isamu Noguchi’s Akari lanterns and Ettore Sottsass’s Ultrafragola Mirrors are also widely searched and purchased.

Hermès bags (specifically Birkin and Kelly bags) are our top sellers.

Tell us about your process: How do you help a client who comes to 1stDibs to find distinct home décor?

For our top customers, we offer private client-service advisers who find and source whatever these clients desire. We also work with more than 40,000 interior designers and have the ability to refer our customers to interior designers all over the world. One of the key benefits of our Trade Program is that we offer enrolled interior designers access to a team of experts who can source items for the full spectrum of their projects, working to curate selections based on their specifications, and hunting down special rare pieces from sellers across the globe.

For our top customers, we offer private client-service advisers who find and source whatever these clients desire.

What do you tell clients to avoid when they are looking for rare, collectible pieces for their homes?

Clearly, we believe vetting should be a vital part of the purchasing process, which is why we’ve invested so much in curating our collection of international sellers who comprise our marketplace. That said, it’s always a good idea when purchasing a valuable piece of furniture or decorative item online to ask the dealer for a detailed document with additional photographs and outlining condition and provenance. This gives you added confidence that what you’re purchasing is what is advertised—and what you’re expecting or picturing is what you’ll receive when it shows up on your doorstep. I always tell people that quality always holds its value best, so look to buy the best example in the best possible condition of a work by a maker you admire, even if it means stretching your budget a bit. Otherwise, turn to a maker whose prices are slightly lower and buy his or her best works.

Is there a certain era or style that is popular among collectors right now?

The time periods that are seeing the largest yearover-year growth in terms of order volumes are the 1600s and 1700s. On the other end of the timeline, 21st-century pieces are seeing year-over-year growth. “Mid Century” and the 1960s and 1970s are consistently popular with our customers with dependably high order volumes.

What is your go-to advice for someone looking to add a distinct collectible or rare design element into their home?

If you really want to build a distinctive collection, free yourself from time constraints and a schedule and accept that it’s okay to acquire these pieces over time. Giving yourself the luxury of time will not only open up possibilities for discovering new and exciting objects, but it will also allow you to develop your expertise, refine your aesthetic and understand with greater clarity the way you want your home to look and feel.

In your opinion, what is the crème de la crème of home collectibles or rare vintage home items?

Italy’s most prolific and brilliant designer of the 20th century, Gio Ponti, could do no wrong—whether it was architecture, furniture or decorative objects that he was setting his sights on. In the latter category, his ceramic vases from the 1930s are particularly desirable.

Are there any particular designs or collectibles you’re seeing rise in popularity as of late?

Among the most sought-after creations on 1stDibs are by the Italian husband-and-wife postmodern designers Afra and Tobia Scarpa, especially their seating creations. We continually receive sourcing requests for these pieces, and their market keeps increasing.

Italy’s most prolific and brilliant designer of the 20th century, Gio Ponti, could do no wrong—whether it was architecture, furniture or decorative objects that he was setting his sights on.

Furniture and lighting from the 1930s and 1940s by French designer Jean Royere are scarce—they come to market much less frequently than works by his contemporaries—but they are forever highly coveted. This owes to their intrinsic beauty, of course, and high quality of craftsmanship and material, but it’s also because so many of Royere’s designs informed the furniture of today and therefore harmoniously find their place in even the most contemporary or forward-thinking rooms.

Do you have a favorite collectible or rare piece in your own home?

I found on 1stDibs a pair of side tables, circa 1940, for our bedroom in our country house. They're attributed to Jacques Adnet, a master of French art deco known for his use of luxurious materials and visually pleasing geometries.

Although these have seen slightly better days, I'm a fan of patina—especially if it's juxtaposed against new pristine pieces, like our contemporary bed. And, anyway, no amount of age or wear can detract from their extremely cool forms and interesting mix of sycamore, mirror and brass detailing. 1stDibs.com