There are plenty of things I’ll pass on at a thrift store, even if they’re technically “good.” This is a lesson I learned the hard way, and as a result of buying too much stuff when I first started selling vintage. The truth is, not everything deserves to come home with you, and not everything holds up once you get it into a real space.
There are certain things I’ve learned to always look for — both because they tend to sell for me as an antiques dealer and also because they almost always look better than what’s being made now (and when you find a good one, you know right away).
The trick is learning what your “categories” are (i.e. what’s your niche? or the thing that really gets your heart pumping?) and more importantly, to learn what separates a great example of that category from something that just looks convincing on a crowded shelf.
Here’s what I always keep an eye out for.
xx,
VC
Oversized Abstract Art
If there’s one thing I will rearrange my entire car (and house) to make space for, it’s a large-scale abstract painting.
The key thing I look for in vintage art is scale. Scale is expensive when you buy art new, so if you see a whopping painting at a thrift store, BUY IT.
What I look for isn’t perfection, but movement, composition, layered color, and visible texture. If it’s framed in something simple and substantial, great, but I will happily take unframed, too.
What to search online:
“large painting”
“big canvas”
“wall art”
“oversized art”
“painting” (and filter by the largest sizes)
You want the listings from people who are just trying to get rid of something—not people who think they have something valuable.
What to look for at the thrift store:
Bigger than 30–40 inches on at least one side
Real canvas (not a print glued to board)
Visible brushwork (not perfectly smooth)
Depth (layering, lots of color)
A frame that isn’t flimsy or overly decorative
