For Second Hand September we have interviewed 10 experts in the field, delving into the world of vintage and secondhand. Covering categories such such fashion, furniture and watches we spoke with industry leaders about the boom in this ever growing category. Next up is Maud Vaughan Interiors, our vintage furniture expert.

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For those that don’t know you, how would you describe yourself and what you do?
My name is Vanessa, I run the online decorative antiques and contemporary design store, Maud Vaughan Interiors, which stocks mainly 20th century design furniture and homewares and also  a small edit of in-house designed pieces.

"I feel this is because I have stayed very true to my ethos of only buying what I truly like."

Maud Vaughn Interiors was established in 2020 and is actually named after my Grandmother, it is the culmination of  years spent  involved in small scale antiques and interior design projects  between "proper jobs” working in the city and bringing up children. I set up Maud Vaughan Interiors during  lockdown, first on instagram and then later with the website, most of my customers still find me and interact via instagram. The brand developed very organically, I feel this is because I have stayed very true to my ethos of only buying what I truly like and what I would love to have in my own home, this way it has stayed cohesive and authentic.

Why do you think consumers are gravitating towards pre-owned and vintage furniture?
I think the consumer who buy pre-owned and vintage is drawn to the fact that it is THE most sustainable way to shop. Also, older items tend to be better quality and designed to last and made with more natural materials with less nasty chemicals involved in the process . Consumers also simply appreciate the look of an older piece and the fact that it’s unlikely anyone else you know will have the same thing.

Vintage and pre-owned furniture has exploded in popularity, which styles are the most sought after?
Thats the other great thing, there is a huge amount of styles to choose from and there seems to be good demand for all sorts of styles form Art Deco to Post Modern. My customers come to me for more understated design pieces  like a vintage Italian marble coffee table, a 1980s American pencil reed sideboard or simple mid century iron lamp.

"The big fairs are great such as Ardingly Antiques but you are there with 1000s of other people so there is a lot of competition!"

Your collection is beautifully curated. How are the pieces acquired and how would you describe your interior style?  
Thank you! Pieces are acquired from a variety of sources, I have a good network and antique dealers I have built up over the years who in turn source from all over Europe and the US . I buy from auctions sometimes but find that very time consuming and a little hit and miss (more miss) . I also visit antique fairs all over the UK and travel to France to visit their huge antique fairs.

What has been your favourite vintage piece that you have found to date?
There have been so many and a lot are are hard to part with, I have had some really beautiful marble pieces so I think it would be the Marble coffee tables I have had and I really couldn’t choose one in particular.

Any tips on flea markets or antique fairs to source vintage furniture?
I have actually found some of the  the best things in little local places I have come across; the obscure looking small antiques shops or the  antiques fair in the local village hall.   The big fairs are great such as Ardingly Antiques but you are there with 1000s of other people so there is a lot of competition! When it comes to prices I personally don’t haggle for the sake of it, if I am happy with the price I will just pay it but if you see something which is a bit more than you are willing to pay, it’s always worth asking if the seller will take a little less. Importantly, if you see something you really want  and the price is right for you, just buy it as you are unlikely to find it again, it will haunt you!