5 Expert Tips for Styling Antiques

Before going into the antique business, Deke Rogers was a collector at heart. After years of honing his eye, he and his partner, Marcus, wanted a space to showcase his pieces, and Collected for the Home was born. This light, open, airy showroom is filled with art, vintage treasures, and antiques spanning centuries and countries.

Today, when he’s not collecting for clients across the country or showing antiques at markets like High Point, Deke is commuting to his Irondale shop from his family home at the beach. He recently sat down with us to share his tips on collecting antiques — especially for the first-time buyer who might feel intimidated by the process. Here are his five tips for getting started.

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Save up and buy one nice piece per year. 

“I think that the beauty is in the things you truly love, and people should stick to that when looking for antiques,” says Deke. “Place those items with intention, and it will look great.” 

Antiquing can seem like an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. You never know when you will stumble across a steal! However, if you find a pricier item you can’t live without, it’s worth waiting and saving up to add it to your collection. Deke encourages his clients to invest in quality pieces, even if that means taking their time.

“When I first got started, I couldn’t afford those large pieces of furniture or art, so I would save up throughout the year and purchase one item I loved,” he explains.

This way, Deke says you can build a collection that makes you happy while staying within a budget you’re comfortable with.

Stick to original art. 

In general, Deke tends to avoid mass-produced art when putting a space together. He is passionate about sustainability and sees antiques as an eco-friendly way to add character to your home. Deke notes that finding vintage, original art doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars. 

“If you’re willing to dig, you can find a beautiful print or old map and have it framed,” he says. “When you do this, you have some ownership in it, and you can really put your style into it, too.” 

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Everyone should own a chest of drawers with a marble top. 

This may be one of the items you save up for, but Deke notes that this classic piece is worth the investment. It can anchor a room and is easily mixed with other types of decor for beautiful results. Plus, it offers great storage for smaller spaces. 

Mix old and new. 

Even an antique collector mixes antiques with new items, and Deke believes everyone should try this strategy for styling antiques. 

“I don’t like a room with nothing but old pieces,” he says. “When I’m doing groupings or collections, I’ll do a grouping of three — one new with two old or vice versa.”

“I love a contemporary painting over an old antique piece of furniture,” he continues. “There is something about mixing antiquity with a new piece of art; it is magical and so beautiful.”

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Bring in the black accents. 

When he designs spaces for his clients, Deke looks for ways to ground the rooms. He says touches of black are the way to go to add dimension and moodiness. 

“I love a room with a touch of black in it; it grounds the room. As designers, we can especially love white spaces; black accents can bring moodiness without being overwhelming.”

Thanks for the tips, Deke! You can find more inspiration from Deke and his store, Collected for the Home, on the website or Instagram. 

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