Experts Reveal the Antiques Worth Splurging On and the Ones to Skip

Designers share their tips for finding the best antique furniture, art, and decor pieces to invest in.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:06pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a vintage upholstered chair repeated in a grid, conceptually representing the expert advice on investing in quality antique furniture.Antique experts share their top picks for splurge-worthy pieces that can elevate any modern interior design.Drayton Today

Designers CeCe Barfield Thompson, Alex Wilson, Rudy Saunders, and William Cullum share their expert advice on which antiques are worth the splurge and which ones you should save your money on. The experts recommend investing in quality upholstered furniture, Georgian and Gustavian pieces, marquetry tables, antique lighting, and vintage jewelry, while suggesting to be more frugal with silver, china, and dining chairs.

Why it matters

As the antiques season kicks off, this expert advice can help shoppers make smart purchasing decisions and get the most value out of their antique investments. Knowing which items are worth the higher price tag and which ones can be found for a bargain is crucial for decorating with antiques in a modern way.

The details

The designers shared their specific tips for spotting quality antiques. Rudy Saunders looks for Wedgwood Jasperware, Staffordshire figures, and porcelain vegetables, as well as vintage art, mirrors, and well-constructed upholstered furniture. Alex Wilson favors Georgian and Gustavian pieces for their timeless style, while CeCe Barfield Thompson is drawn to marquetry tables and antique lighting. William Cullum is swayed by the provenance and history of a piece. On the flip side, the experts suggest being more frugal with silver, china, dining chairs, and large upholstered pieces where the condition may be unknown.

  • The antiques season kicks off with the iconic Round Top Antiques Week in the spring.
  • The Charleston Show, hosted by the Antiques Council and the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, featured the expert panel discussion.

The players

Rudy Saunders

Design director for Dorothy Draper & Company, who collects Wedgwood Jasperware, Staffordshire figures, and porcelain vegetables.

Alex Wilson

Founder of Alexander Wilson Design, who favors Georgian and Gustavian furniture pieces.

CeCe Barfield Thompson

New York-based designer who was previously senior designer for Bunny Williams, and is drawn to marquetry tables and antique lighting.

William Cullum

Antiques lover and historic preservation design specialist who is swayed by the provenance and history of a piece.

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What they’re saying

“If it's something I absolutely love, if it's a piece that really hits the nail on the head and makes me think 'I can't leave without this,' I'll make a splurge.”

— Rudy Saunders, Design director, Dorothy Draper & Company

“[Georgian pieces] are timeless and mix well with other furniture styles, so they're good to have for any project.”

— Alex Wilson, Founder, Alexander Wilson Design

“With the right mix, the inlaid patterns [of a marquetry table] can sing and feel like a work of art.”

— CeCe Barfield Thompson, Designer

“There's nothing more interesting about an amazing antique than the story of who owned it before you.”

— William Cullum, Antiques lover and historic preservation design specialist

The takeaway

This expert advice can help antique shoppers make informed decisions about which pieces are worth the investment and which ones they should save their money on. By understanding the key factors that make an antique a smart buy, such as quality construction, timeless style, and provenance, shoppers can build a collection of antiques that will stand the test of time and enhance their modern living spaces.