Welcome to Remotely

Opening up my Secondhand and Vintage Address Book

First and foremost, HELLO! Welcome to my new little slice of the internet rattling into your inboxes at least once a month. If you knew me back in the day (I’ve been loitering around the online world longer than I care to remember at this point) and remember my blog Fashion Me Now, you know I love to share and I like to write. Since my website kind of came to a natural, anti-climatic close a few years ago, I slowly started to miss having something of my own on the World Wide Web that wasn’t a fleeting Insta story or 4x4 thumbnail [Enter stage right Remotely].

Gone are the days when I want to wax lyrical for 800 words about a single pair of jeans or do day-by-day detailed travel posts (don’t hold me to that lol). Instead, Remotely will house all my favourite finds, ideas, random recommendations and bits and bobs across everything and anything I love, from Interiors and style to books, movies, skincare, travel and beyond, in the hope some of you might be into it too. Ok that’s enough of an introduction, you’re here (hurray) which is the main thing so let’s get started.

1: Napkin rings - 2: Standing light - 3: Niacinamide serum

MY VINTAGE, ANTIQUE AND SECONDHAND ADDRESS BOOK

While I might live to regret this, I am anything if not indiscreet when it comes to my own secrets (fantastic with everyone else’s just FYI) so I figured what better way to celebrate secondhand September and Remotely’s debut mail-out than by opening up my address book for vintage homeware, antiques, and pre-loved fashion.

The thrill of the chase of finding the perfect unique pieces to furnish. My house was one of my favourite bits of decorating the house and I love any excuse to source pieces for friends these days (but if one of you nab a real Philip Arctander sheepskin chair for less than a grand don’t you dare @ me).

INSTAGRAM

Instagram is awash with vintage homeware sellers and is one of the best places to find vintage furniture, tableware, and more as long as you’re quick; make sure you turn notifications on for the individual sellers so you get notified when they post a story or a post - it’s the only way you’ll be in with a chance of claiming. And please, please, only agree to buy if you’re serious and not just because you might quite like it but have’t made up your mind yet. The market might be saturated but the good ones really stand out. Here are just a few of my favourites…

• @folie_chambre - bamboo and rattan are their particular speciality. They have great mirrors and their own side tables are super versatile too.

• @max_keys - Max is one of the best and has an amazing eye for everything from mid-century upholstery to iconic modernist pieces of furniture and lighting.

• @mcintoshlight - I bought my favourite kitchen chair from them, amongst other things. They have an amazing selection of modernist accents and interesting pieces that have a really directional yet timeless appeal.

• @tinywindowstudio_ - I found this small vintage seller through Vinterior.  As well as things like marble book ends, brutalist stools and fun ceramics, she also has a great, edited selection of vintage clothes.

• @scout_goods - they sell lamps, knick-knacks and general bits and pieces to make a house feel like a home. The ultimate place to find ceramic and glass mushrooms too!

• @lot.fifteen - beautifully curated art and objects. Lots of brass, marble, glossy wood, and glassware.

• @relic_interiors - period antiques at good prices. Think corner bobbin chairs, oil paintings and toleware light fixtures. I am also obsessed with their own-brand iron garden day beds too.

• @shopmantel - great for presents as well as for decking out your mantle place or side tables with interesting pieces with soul. Especially love their clay mermaid wall sculptures too.

• @forequartershome - predominantly neutral, interesting pieces that have been beautifully curated.

• @cotswoldantiquebarn - traditional pieces with a fun, eccentric edge.

• @keptlondon - lamps, candlesticks and mirrors are my go-to’s from Kept. She posts great inspiration and moodboard pics in between the bits and pieces to snap up too.

• @vantageliving - A great mix of periods and pieces, Katie seems to have a real knack for bedside tables and mirrors.

• @starfish_vintage - If you have a seaside home or just love anything and everything ceramic and kitsch, mermaid-based and crustacean-themed, this is the one for you.

ONLINE

The new app Narchie is definitely worth checking out. It's essentially Instagram meets eBay for collectable secondhand homeware and a great place to sell your own bits too. Vinterior is my number one. I find the browsing experience really nice (remember to filter by location unless you're happy to stump up the delivery/import taxes from Europe) and the contact with vendors is easy. Try Miles Griffiths for 1930s Heals, Punch the Clock for irreverent post-modern and mid-century pieces and Bureau Bruton for quirky accent chairs, lamps and curios. If you're prepared to virtually dig/sharpen your elbows, auctions are well worth getting into online.

TheSaleroom.com is the main site I use; search auctions in your area or beyond, just beware of the additional taxes and delivery because they can STING! Charlie Porter's Pile of Tat is far from its namesake and the perfect place to root out those little extras that really make a space sing. Likewise, The Beaux Store has a fantastic selection of vintage oil paintings and Swedish rugs and wall hangings; such a good place to find antique art at affordable prices that really balances out modern pieces or photography.

Decorative Collective is like a Farfetch for antique dealers and every insider's go-to bookmark. From affordable vintage art to sublime, crazy expensive, regency furniture, even if just for inspiration it's special. When I was renovating, I was also refreshing Retrouvius, The Architectural Forum and UK Heritage daily. Joseph Berry Interiors is my absolute favourite for brutalist, modernist and Gustavian dining sets, statement chairs, consoles, stools and more. If you dream of owning a Guillerme et Chambron sideboard I have a feeling you'll love his stock too.