The One Home Item that Nate Berkus Always Buys Vintage
According to interior designer Nate Berkus, lighting is one of the best ways to add character to any space. But before you buy a new lamp or light fixture, Berkus recommends going to a vintage store to find unique pieces no one else will have.
“I love sourcing all kinds of vintage lighting and playing around with different lamp shades to add a unique, personal touch,” he captioned an Instagram video. Throughout the video, he mentioned, “One of the things that I think you can really express your personality through is your lighting.”
The interior designer showed off two of his favorite vintage lamp finds, which included a carved alabaster table lamp that takes two bulbs and a set of two mid-century iron lamps that he scored at an auction for $250.
“This one’s kind of special because it actually sat in our daughter’s room,” Berkus said about the alabaster lamp. “But I love the details. I love that it’s natural stone … It was less than $100, I found it online, and I love it.”
Berkus noted that the lamp’s missing shade encouraged him to further customize its look by choosing something that best fits his personality. “I’m thinking a small, square shade,” he added.
If you’re interested in opting-in for vintage or antique lighting, save room in your budget for potential rewiring or look for pieces that have recently been rewired to ensure your piece will last for decades without being a safety hazard.
Besides heading to auctions and thrift stores, check eBay and Facebook Marketplace to source your secondhand lamps to add more depth and personality to your interior design.