Nate Berkus just shared his favorite vintage piece that elevates any surface and it's surprisingly affordable – I have found options starting from just $22

Vintage lover Nate Berkus has this one chic desk decor item on his radar, and it's his most affordable recommendation yet

Nate Berkus
(Image credit: Courtesy of 1stDibs)

Known for his love of vintage and antique treasures, interior designer Nate Berkus is always on the hunt for his next second-hand purchase. He's often sharing his finds; however, when he took to Instagram to share his latest vintage obsession, I was quick to add 'marble vintage boxes' to my want list, because this is a small, surprisingly affordable piece I can implement into my decor immediately.

If you're familiar with Nate's interior designs, you'll know that he's the archetype of transitional design and loves to decorate with vintage, scattering one-of-a-kind gems in his clients' homes as well as his own. I always take note when Nate shows off his enviable treasures, but his latest unboxing of a midcentury rosso marble trinket box is possibly one of his most affordable recommendations yet.

Nate says they're his go-to desk accessory, so naturally, I scoured the web to get my hands on one like his and stumbled upon an array of one-of-a-kind marble boxes, both new and old, with prices starting from just $22.

Explaining his recent fixation, Nate says, 'Lately, I've been looking for a couple of amazing vintage finds – boxes and objects for the desk.' He goes on to explain that it's not any old vintage trinket box he's had his eye on, but a rather luxurious style. 'The first one I want to show you is this marble box. It's made of (obviously marble), but it's a Rosso marble and it's Italian.'

'I found it online at an auction for less than what a brand-new box would be at any sort of department store or home store,' Nate continues. 'I really love natural materials, and decorative boxes always find their way on side tables, coffee tables, so it's a really fun thing to look for online.'

Perfect for adding character to a home office, a desk decorated with vintage trinkets feels more sophisticated and characterful than modern storage pieces. A marble box looks beautiful, but it can store desk clutter too. They can also corral clutter on an entryway console, a coffee table, or a bedside table; a practical piece that makes a stunning statement, too.

As always, Nate has made things easier for us all by sharing the search terms you should use when trying to find a similar piece. He recommends trying phrases such as 'vintage stone box' or 'vintage stone decorative box', which is exactly what I did and was met by small, pleasantly affordable options, both from online vintage marketplaces and some of my favorite stores too.


When you think 'vintage', you can jump to 'expensive', but it's not always the case, especially with smaller decor pieces like a marble box. I found vintage options for under $200 and new options for just $22. Be sure to look out in thrift stores too for characterful thrift store buys for your home office, like this, as you will often find even more affordable second-hand finds.

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Eleanor Richardson
Interior Design News Editor

I am the Interior Design News Editor at Homes and Gardens, covering mainly US-based designers and trending news stories. My love for interiors began when I interned in an interior design studio, working on commercial and private spaces. My passion grew while working in production, where I sourced beautiful locations for photoshoots and campaigns. Outside of work, I enjoy collecting antique decor and mid-century furniture for my home.

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