6 small home objects to find secondhand on Etsy

to make any space feel like home

I’m moving into a new home! 🏡

And spending lots of time on Etsy and Marktplaats (Dutch eBay). So why not take you along as I fill up my space :)

Picking big furniture pieces is overwhelming: I’m not indecisive except when it comes to couches and dining room tables apparently.

But I love thrifting small objects. Those little items that make your place home.

my previous home in Paris, filled with beloved trinkets

My most beloved are from my grandmother (who was a true trinket-lover) and travels. But I also love to browse Etsy for treasures, which is what this post is all about.

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How I shop on Etsy

I focus on finding great shops and following them.

My main criteria is: local and selling vintage/hand-picked items. I’ve had too many bad shipping cost surprises and some disappointing buys from “handmade” shops that were maybe (probably) drop shipping.

Here are some shops to have on your radar for small vintage home objects:

• RocoUK - 🇬🇧

• AltSpaceCurated - 🇺🇸

• NeospaceObjects - 🇪🇺

• jufhamvintage - 🇪🇺

• YAADiCapsules by my friend Naomi Francis - 🇪🇺

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6 items for your home to thrift on Etsy

Disclaimer: you absolutely don’t need these but they’re easy ways to spark joy and add personality to your home.

1. Vases

Yes you probably already have enough. But does one ever regret thrifting a nice vase? The trick is to find ones that look great on display, even without flowers. They’re also such an easy way to add pops of color to a space.

IKEA is currently selling seventies-inspired vases. So why not go for actual vintage options? I love this red one and this orange one.

Search for “vintage vases”, I promise you’ll find good stuff.

2. Bookends

I don’t currently own bookends but fully intend to because how cute is this wooden pear bookend? Also how cool is this bookend that’s also a light.

3. Candle holders

My husband thinks I collect way too many candle holders and…he’s not wrong. But is there anything cozier than lighting a candle?

One to hold your taper candles, and a colorful vintage Iittala Nappi holder for your tea-light candles.

4. Tiny boxes

100% delightful, 0% practical.

My grandmother loved to collect tiny objects such as glasses (which she beautifully displayed) and boxes. When she passed, I brought home a tiny silver turtle box.

My husband found a sneaky wooden box in Morocco a few years ago: when you open it, a little snake surprises you! He always puts it somewhere obvious to trick our guests.

Imagine handing this one to your granddaughter one day 🥹? Another cute way to add color to your place!

5. Wine rack

To display your best bottles and remind yourself there’s never a better time to open good wine than with great company.

Loving this silver one, and this transparent one feels modern and fun.

6. Office objects

Office desk, why so serious? Retro office objects from the 80s will brighten any work day. I recently found an orange perpetual calendar that I look forward to updating every day.

A colorful organizer for your pens and a perpetual calendar in a pretty blue.

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Hope you enjoyed this slightly different edition of trouvé.

Designing and filling up a home is similar to shopping for clothes: it’s better to take it slow and collect items you’ll love forever. I also think the process is never over, and that’s part of the fun.

I’m keeping that in mind for the next few weeks/months/years.

See you next week (from my new place — eek!) 🫶

— Laure