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

Martha Stewart
(Image credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)

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 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.'

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.



Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

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.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.