"Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I attended Create & Cultivate last month (which I highly recommend to any woman who is in the digital space whether you are a blogger, entrepreneur, photographer, or even just thinking about starting something) and met so many cool, creative and enterprising businesswomen (#ladyboss). One of them was Michelle Qazi, who specializes in selling vintage home decor pieces. Michelle is the epitome of California cool and her chic, personal aesthetic is reflected in her beautifully curated Etsy shop: 6th and Detroit. Personally (like many of you), I am constantly redecorating and have been trying to incorporate in more vintage items, but shopping for the right pieces can be a little intimidating. So, I turned to Michelle for some advice. Michelle launched her Etsy shop in April 2015. The shop is named after her first apartment on (you guessed it) 6th and Detroit in Los Angeles. As a recent college graduate on a Top Ramen budget, she furnished that apartment with vintage treasures from Goodwill and Salvation Army. Over the years her love for vintage shopping grew into her business today. In a very crowded marketplace, Michelle makes her shop stand out by styling her items in creative diverse looks, providing high quality products and presenting stunning photography. Here are some of her tips for buying and decorating with vintage pieces...
PR: What are some of the trends in home design in 2016 that can be accomplished with vintage pieces?
MQ: Mid Century design continues to hold a strong presence in 2016 by mixing in sleeker newer pieces and adding warm textural textiles. For smalls, copper and brass are still an accent favorite, but the updated version is now a more mixed metals vibe and marble.
PR: What are your tips for incorporating vintage pieces into a modern or contemporary room?
MQ: The key to incorporating vintage is to make it work in a modern setting. Making vintage “new” again. If you are new to the game, start with something small like bookends, a vase, etc. that would work with your current setting and grow from there. If there is a larger vintage item that is the main focal point in the room, like a couch, then pair it with one or two lighter armchairs with clean smooth lines. I am all about mixing vintage styles and eras with the new to keep it from looking too literal.
PR: What should a shopper be on the look out for when you are purchasing vintage pieces online?
MQ: You can always tell what the merchandise will be like based on the seller’s photos. If they don’t put care and thought into the photo, then it might be an indicator of how they treat their items. Always make sure that the seller post as many photos as possible of every angle inside and out. This shows they are honest about the integrity of the item. It’s so easy these days to retouch and filter the heck out of a photo, it can be pretty deceiving. Don’t hesitate to read their customer reviews too, that’s what I do!
PR: Your pieces are at such an accessible price point. As a shopper, how do you know when you should pay more or less for a piece?
MQ: One of my main concerns when I opened up shop was to make sure it was affordable for everyone. There have been so many times I’ve walked into a vintage store, fell in love with something only to find out it was a completely ridiculous amount of money! It’s such a heartbreak! When you are out vintage shopping and see something you love, just pull out your phone and research right then and there what kind of prices you are looking at (ebay, etsy, etc). If it’s super rare and hard to find online, then you might have to pay a pretty penny but might be super worth it!
PR: What is your favorite piece in your shop right now?
MQ: My favorite piece in my shop right now is this hand painted mirror that has the most amazing color combinations and graphics. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Part art, part mirror. And I can see it hanging in so many different styles of home, it’s definitely one of my most versatile items.
MQ: My favorite piece in my shop right now is this hand painted mirror that has the most amazing color combinations and graphics. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Part art, part mirror. And I can see it hanging in so many different styles of home, it’s definitely one of my most versatile items.
PR: Where do you get inspiration? Who are some of your favorite vintage incorporating designers?
MQ: I get most of my inspiration from just being outdoors and traveling with my family. I have two super active boys that just love being outside constantly. We are a big camping family that also surf and snowboard, so I’m big on greens, blues and browns. And I love textures, the more the merrier. And right now my favorite interior designers are Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe of Nickey Kehoe of Los Angeles. They have such a genius way of incorporating California cool with classic vintage pieces. A little bit of boho chic with a touch of country and smidge of French. It’s all about mixing cohesively, which is exactly what I try to accomplish with my shop.
image source: all images provided by Michelle Qazi/6th and Detroit
-SD
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