Where to shop for mid-century vintage

Our guide to top stores for finding cool mid-century style

From Tulip dining sets and Ladderax shelving to the Eames lounge chair, mid-century modern is making a comeback in our interiors. And while many of the collectable designer pieces will be out of price range for many people, classic teak furniture from brands like G Plan – think sideboards and chests of drawers – are affordable and easy to pick up.

While many of these styles are being copied by modern manufacturers, it is the craftsmanship of the originals – not just their good looks – that has stood the test of time. Here are some of our favourite shopping spots, both online and in store.

After Noah

If you love original home shopping it would be impossible to go to Islington and not visit neighbourhood vintage lifestyle store After Noah. It’s a furniture store, antique restorer, toy shop and gift boutique all rolled into one. The shop is a real Aladdin’s cave, with every nook and cranny overflowing with products – the basement level is home to an unparalleled collection of vintage furniture, specialising in mid-century pieces, all restored in-house by specialist team members. With great attention to detail throughout the shop, it makes for a truly unique and pleasurable shopping experience.

Chase & Sorensen

You’ll find this gem of a shop at the Pembury Circus end of London’s Dalston Lane, where Chase & Sorensen offers the best in original 20th-century Scandinavian design and contemporary home products. Opened in 2010 by American Brett Chase and Dane Signe Sorensen, both with a strong design ideology, you’ll be offered a warm welcome and plenty of advice about what would suit your home. With a wealth of affordable vintage items sourced directly from Denmark and Sweden, which have been expertly restored, this is the place to shop a ready-to-use, authentic Scandi look.

Retrovintage

A handpicked selection of the best mid-century and Danish furniture from well-known manufacturers and designers, the stock at online store Retrovintage includes sideboards, tables and chairs – with excellent five-star customer service. Established by Stuart Murray, the business is a labour of love with a passion for sourcing, where his mantra is ‘if it doesn’t sell, we’ll take it home and keep it forever’.

Committee of Taste

Focusing on mid-century and post-war utility furniture, owners of this north London shop Lorna Douglas and Dale Stephens juxtapose modernist and antique in an uncluttered, pared-back space ideal for appreciating the virtue of good design. They describe their taste as ‘restrained not minimal’ and as a rule of thumb stick to useful wooden furniture, selling mainly British mid-century to keep prices affordable. With stripped-wood floorboards and white walls, Committee of Taste is effortlessly understated yet inspiring – the perfect place to think clearly about what would look good in your home.

Absolutely Nice Vintage

Launched by friends Damian Sealey and Mark Howlette, Absolutely Nice Vintage was born from a shared love and appreciation of mid-century design, furniture and homeware. Simplicity of form, traditional craftsmanship and quality materials all establish the foundations of the online business. Shop here for well-known British brands like E Gomme and Ladderax, as well as Scandinavian designers, plus ceramics, lighting, mirrors and metal filing cabinets.

The Vintage Hub

Situated within a 17,000-square-foot corrugated-iron barn in North County Dublin, The Vintage Hub is a large retail outlet born out of 30 years supplying the film, TV, theatre and events industry with furniture and small prop items. With a range of vintage stock that represents the international world of design, it’s skewed towards British and Scandinavian designs. As huge fans of quality design and original craftmanship, the owners have a ‘restore but don’t over restore’ policy ensuring everything is ready to use while retaining a truly authentic feel.

Lovely & Co

The stock at Lovely & Co is very much a personal selection, inspired by Enzo and Lucy Amico’s love of sourcing for their own home. Mid-century pieces feature Danish and Italian design, a wealth of Eames furniture, vintage and modern lighting, plus haberdashery units and plan-chest storage. While they stock many design classics, there is no design snobbery here and you’ll be able to pick up other basic accessories like old soda crates and milking stools. Stock is all online, but you can visit their warehouse in Lewes by appointment too.

Retro Cactus Furniture

Son-and-father team Ben and Tony at Retro Cactus Furniture specialise in restoring and selling mid-century wood furniture, drawing on years of hands-on experience and a genuine enthusiasm for classic design. Rather than see high-quality wood furniture lost beneath layers of stain, lacquer and varnish, their restoration techniques let the beauty of the grain shine while protecting the surface for years to come. Ercol furniture is a favourite – restored with their special refinishing process.

Vintique London

Run by husband-and-wife team Howard Roach and Amira Tawfieg, Vintique London started as a hobby and grew organically. Essentially a warehouse rather than a shop – in order to keep costs low – with new stock sourced regularly for an ever-changing inventory. Based in Peckham, it’s the local go-to for those wishing to furnish their homes with cool affordable pieces in good condition, or to find furniture to pimp up themselves. Stocking up to 100 sideboards from Ercol and G Plan to a range of Danish-made pieces, the wealth of choice here is excellent.

WORDS: ALICE ROBERTON & CASSIE FAIRY