Sofia Vergara gives antique furniture a modern upgrade in her Mediterranean-style living space

Sofia Vergara’s Mediterranean-inspired home, though by and large quite current, utilizes this tactic to make the space feel more unique. In her living area sits an antique cabinet, complete with original details and paint. While the rest of the area is quite polished, with white walls and a cream couch, the piece stands out due to its natural and untouched finish.

Decorating with antique pieces in the home can be exciting (especially the online hunt for specific items), but experts say that there are some considerations to be mindful of when shopping for vintage homeware and furniture. First up? Cleaning and maintaining.

It goes without saying that antique pieces are much more delicate than modern items, therefore require more care – especially when handling,’ says vintage dealer Rachel Toy. ‘Protect furniture when moving it in past doors and other furniture, and carefully unwrap fragile items such as ceramics and glass in situ before displaying.

It goes without saying that antique pieces are much more delicate than modern items, therefore require more care – especially when handling,’ says vintage dealer Rachel Toy. ‘Protect furniture when moving it in past doors and other furniture, and carefully unwrap fragile items such as ceramics and glass in situ before displaying.’

Keeping your antique item in tip-top shape will ensure it is looked after and keeps its value, and can also be enjoyed by generations to come,’ she says.

Placement is also crucial to the preservation of antique and vintage homewares.