Interior Designer Keren Richter’s Tips for Scoring—and Styling—Vintage Furniture

"Until there are books, plants, ceramics, and art to tie the spaces together, a house doesn’t feel like a home," proclaims Keren. "For those just starting a collection, contemporary, open-edition photography, posters, rent-to-own options, vintage photos, memorabilia, silkscreens, and antique oil paintings go a long way, especially if you’re working on a limited budget." She also advises us to rethink what constitutes art: "We often source non-traditional works—a cool vintage book or pack of matches, a cheeky porn pic, a fiber work, fake food, or a child’s artwork. When custom framed or placed on a pedestal, it’s a great way to elevate the chosen item." In this bedroom designed for empty nesters in mind, a fiber-and-ceramic work by California artist Karen Gayle Tinney hangs above a wood platform bed and matching nightstands from Ethnicraft.