I seem to have developed quite a serious, potentially ruinous, shopping addiction. I can’t stop buying things from the vintage/antique website Vinterior. To date, I’ve bought four lights, three mirrors, a chest of drawers, an old French shop display, an armoire the size of a small village and almost a coffee table. (Some of my purchases are pictured above.)

I was in two minds as to whether I’d even share this vintage website with you, because I’m a selfish shopper when it comes to unique items; there’s nothing worse than telling people about something you have your eye on and then it getting snapped up! It’s fine to garner opinion on a dress or a lipstick if there are still 67 of them available at Selfridges or House of Fraser or wherever it is that stocks them, but if it’s a one-off, like the vintage shop display (it’s so, so heart-achingly gorgeous) or the brass mirror I have in the downstairs loo, it’s just too risky to tell anyone.

It gives me palpitations to think I might lose out, like when eBay first started and everyone actually bid for stuff rather than using Buy It Now – ooh, getting to those last few seconds and knowing your bid wasn’t high enough but not being able to get the stupid laptop to increase your bid in time because of dial-up internet speeds! Those were the days…

I think one of the reasons I love Vinterior so much is that they have a huge mix of antique and retro/vintage; I was completely Team Mid Century before I moved into a Georgian house, but the beautiful architectural details in my new home have made me want to have some more ornate pieces as well as my classic modernist ones.

So yes, a proper little vintage furnishings habit going on over here. I have to say that there’s something very satisfying about acquiring a piece of furniture that has been used before; the fact that it has a story and a past. I love that it’s being used again and again and not just going into landfill – as I get more panicky about the whole plastic and general rubbish situation (anyone else feeling this?) I find myself thinking even more about how I can make things last, choosing things that have less of an environmental impact.

That’s not to say I never buy new – there are some things I need, or want, that I can’t see to find second-hand. I needed five matching wall lights, for example, and they were proving hard to find in a set, and I’ve been stung more than once when it comes to second hand sofas…

So I’ve always been partial to some good vintage in the furniture and lighting department, but when we bought our first house (must have been in 2006? 2007?) it was far more time-consuming trying to sort the crap stuff from the good stuff. eBay was the only option for online hunting, really, and it was a bit hit and miss. I’d like to say that I enjoy a rootle about at the flea market but in all honesty, I despise it. Mr AMR loves searching for elusive bargains, hidden treasures, but I just feel tired half the time and having to trawl through whole tables filled with old garden tools just makes me want to scream. We’ve found some brilliant things, but I do like being able to browse from the comfort of my own bed.

Anyway, go and have a little donder about down the virtual aisles at Vinterior. I find something every single time I check, which is daily, sometimes twice or even thrice daily, to my shame. There’s currently a sale running which has had me in a right old tizzy.

“THE LIGHT WE WANTED IS NOW HALF PRICE!”

Mr AMR keeps hiding from me because every time I see him I have something new to show him on my iPhone. The worst part is that half the stuff I’ve bought is in his office downstairs because I can’t decide where to put it all. I love it so much that I want to get the placement just right. He’s at the end of his tether. It’s like a (very stylish) flea market and there he sits, in the midst of the Sea of Antiquities, trying to edit pictures on his computer.

You can find Vinterior here – I’ve pulled out some of my favourite picks for you below, in case you’re wondering what I have my eye on. (I’m doing this as a finance-saving measure. If you buy it, I can’t. Thus: finances and marriage saved!)

If you do buy anything at Vinterior, you can use the code RUTH CRILLY to get £20 off your first purchase. (This post isn’t sponsored, I’ve never been gifted anything by Vinterior and have always paid full price for my orders; the code pops up as a kind of “share the love” thing when you make a purchase. Once you make a purchase, a code with your own name will no doubt appear to pass on to family and friends. You get £20 credit if someone uses the code, which you can put towards your next purchase.)

Some current vintage highlights:

I’ve always had a fondness for Guzzini lights and this one tempts me massively, even though I’m not quite sure where it would fit in my house. (Into Mr AMR’s office it goes! What? You’ve no room to sit down anymore? Stop moaning!) It’s £140 here.

This carved French desk is so very, very pretty – I’ve bought an armoire from this seller (don’t forget my shelf for the armoire, if you’re reading!) and she has some brilliant stuff if you love French antiques. Lots of rustic pieces, repainted (and “re-vintaged”!) items and the odd gorgeous leather chair or sofa. You can find the desk here (it’s £395 – look at the closer-in pictures, it’s gorgeous) and all of the items for sale here.

Now tell me this wouldn’t make the coolest ever lipstick storage? It was for storing threads (looks like a shop display cabinet – my Mum has a huge Sylko one that she’s had for decades) and has neat little dividers that are perfect for makeup. Imagine! I would have bought it weeks ago had I not been looking for a larger set of drawers – I want a massive apothecary cabinet to store all of my beauty stuff and can’t really have both… If you’re tempted by this conversation starter then it’s here – £390.

Ah, the classic Ercol carver chair. Look them up and see how much they are new – makes sense to find one second-hand, if it’s one that’s been looked after. My kitchen table and chairs are second-hand Ercol and look brilliant, if I may say so myself. They suit traditional or modern interiors and the carver chair can be plonked just about anywhere and look stylish. This one is £110 here.

vinterior.co