"Do Young People Even Like Antiques?" take two!

9 years ago I wrote this post and I still STAND by it!!!

I get asked this question all the time — and my answer is always an enthusiastic yes.

We may not collect the way people did in the 1980s and 90s, but younger buyers are absolutely drawn to antiques. I know because I'm one of them. As Jayne's daughter, I grew up surrounded by 17th and 18th century English furniture and honestly didn't understand it at first. Why pay so much for something old when you could buy something new? It wasn't until I started furnishing my own home — and working in the industry — that it clicked.

Rarity. Antiques from the pre-industrial revolution period were handmade by trained craftsmen, often commissioned for a specific client. When I put a piece in my home, I know I won't see it at a friend's house or in a catalog. In a world where every living room looks like it was assembled from the same three websites, that matters enormously.

Quality. To qualify as a true antique, a piece must be over 100 years old — meaning it has already stood the test of time. The early 18th century oak gateleg table I feed my kids on every day is made of solid English oak with a rich wax patina that simply cannot be replicated. It was built to last centuries, not product cycles.

Style. Furniture, like fashion, was designed to reflect the tastes of its era — and the best of those classic forms never really go out of style. One of my favorite pieces is a French fruitwood farm table with a ladder trestle base. I loved it so much I asked the dealer for a payment plan. Ten years later it still makes me smile every time I walk into my dining room.

And I'm far from alone. The "grandmillennial" design movement, the quiet luxury trend, the old money aesthetic — these aren't just social media buzzwords. They reflect a real shift in how younger buyers think about their homes. I've recently helped clients in their 20s and 30s find statement pieces specifically because they wanted something no one else had. One of them pointed out something I love: her Windsor chair has been handmade and in use for over 150 years with essentially zero carbon footprint. For a generation that thinks hard about sustainability, antiques are the original green furniture.

The fever of collecting may look different than it did a generation ago. But as homes across the country continue to look more and more alike, I think more young people will find their way to something rare, beautifully made, and built to outlast all of us.

Here are some quick photos from our house...

The English Oak cupboard functions as our mudroom and houses all the boys cleats and sports gear...

Our living room at Christmas with a mix of oriental rugs, english antiques, and vintage posters

This painted piece in our front hall has moved with us three times and found a perfect spot in each of our homes!