Top designers say vintage pieces should take 'center stage' in a room – I'm starting with a Martha Stewart-designed glass table
Designers say vintage should lead the room – this Martha Stewart table ($239 at Macy’s) does it with elegance and a small footprint


It's no secret that vintage-style pieces are a favorite among the world's top designers and lifestyle experts alike. Take Martha Stewart, in regard to the latter. Martha has influenced how we decorate for decades, but her Macy's collection brings her aesthetic to another generation.
Arguably, the jewel of Martha Stewart's Macy's collection is a vintage-style accent table that makes antique charm more accsessible than ever. It's compact enough to fit into a nook in even the smallest living rooms, and it's remarkably affordable at under $240.
As someone who dreams of decorating with vintage all around my apartment (but doesn't want to part with a considerable budget), Martha's Lia Oval Accent Table (available at Macy's) is a dream product. Its oval glass top has an old-money aesthetic that is sure to transcend fleeting trends and stand the test of time.
Martha's Lia accent table features a mirror tabletop with an antique bronze finish on a metal base, creating a rich and elegant aesthetic that appears more expensive than it is. I love how it features an inner metal frame for a sturdier stand, perfect for holding my morning coffee (or evening aperitif).
Martha Stewart may have designed the perfect vintage-style table, but she's not the only expert with an affinity for these pieces.
When styling antiques and vintage trends, Martin Waller, founder of global design house Andrew Martin, recommends leaving the area around the furnishing uncluttered. This allows the piece to take 'center stage' and achieve the attention it deserves.
'When displaying antiques, the key is to let the pieces speak for themselves. Antiques have a rich history and unique craftsmanship that deserve to be showcased in a way that highlights their beauty and significance,' Martin says.
'Keep the display simple and uncluttered, allowing each antique to take centre stage. Consider the scale and proportions of the space, ensuring that each piece is given adequate room to breathe and be appreciated. Lighting is crucial – use soft, diffused lighting to enhance the textures and details of the antiques without casting harsh shadows.'
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Martin also recommends grouping similar items to 'create visual impact,' but we should be mindful not to overcrowd our space. When styling Martha's table, I will decorate it with vintage ceramics, including the beautiful products shown below. I think they'd look perfect atop the chic, glass top.
Reminiscent of Majolica, this painted plate is the perfect piece to hang proudly on a wall. Pair with smaller green plates for a cohesive yet interesting display that provides your wall with color and pattern.
Reminiscent of vintage styles, this Anthropologie spring botanical plate is delicate and whimsical. It's an easy one to style too as almost any style of vintage ceramic would make this piece look even more vintage and charming.
This seashell salad plate would make a welcome addition to a bathroom wall, nodding to the seaside and all its serenity and remind you of fond memories spent lounging on a beach.

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.
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