My Houzz: Vintage Collectors’ Artfully Curated Walk-Up
A couple’s passion for thrifting, plants and retro tech personalizes their century-old brownstone duplex in Brooklyn
One resident is a long-time Etsy seller, and the other is a vintage-tech recycler. So it’s no surprise that their home is a feast for the vintage lover’s eye. Amber Dubois and boyfriend Lacy Rhoades have transformed the top floor of their brownstone duplex into a homey, bohemian space. It’s filled with secondhand furnishings infused with history and meaning. “Almost everything in the apartment is preowned,” Dubois says. “We’ve tried to be conscious of what comes into the apartment. We both love vintage, and there’s an economic and ecological benefit to shopping at flea markets and thrift stores.”
Dubois notes that finding an apartment in New York can be a grim task because everything is expensive. The couple managed to keep the cost of furnishing the apartment low by buying most items from Craigslist or estate sales in the area.
Since Dubois sells vintage objects on Etsy, thrifting is not just her favorite pastime, it’s her job. “When I go to flea markets, I curate what I like to have in the shop,” she says. She often scores cool finds in obscure places. “We take a lot of road trips,” she says. “And when I see something I like, I buy it.” Of course, pieces meant for the shop are not always so easy to part with. “Sometimes I end up buying something and liking it so much, I keep it,” Dubois says.
The couple bought the vintage kilim rug seen here at an estate sale for $75.
Since Dubois sells vintage objects on Etsy, thrifting is not just her favorite pastime, it’s her job. “When I go to flea markets, I curate what I like to have in the shop,” she says. She often scores cool finds in obscure places. “We take a lot of road trips,” she says. “And when I see something I like, I buy it.” Of course, pieces meant for the shop are not always so easy to part with. “Sometimes I end up buying something and liking it so much, I keep it,” Dubois says.
The couple bought the vintage kilim rug seen here at an estate sale for $75.
In a room filled with preowned furnishings, the couch is one of the rare items that was bought new. “Lacy purchased it from a company that handmakes their furniture in North Carolina,” Dubois says.
Couch: Younger Furniture
Couch: Younger Furniture
A midcentury gold planter lamp next to the couch is both quirky and elegant. Dubois bought it at a thrift store for $4 and added a new lampshade. “It comes in pretty handy around the apartment, since I’m always looking to make space for more plants,” she says.
Open shelving is found throughout the apartment. “Because we have a rental, we can’t alter the space much, so we go vertical,” Dubois says. True to the couple’s budget-conscious approach, much of the shelving is made of free salvaged lumber. “Lacy is super handy and put up all of the shelving in the apartment,” she adds.
Vintage pottery and items line the shelves; some of the pieces were bought from Dubois’ sister, who also has an Etsy shop.
Rhoades found the guitar at a yard sale in Tennessee, the pillows are a mix of vintage ones that Dubois thrifted and purchased from Etsy, and the olive green pillow was passed down from her grandmother.
Yellow and red geometric planter: ShopMidCenturyModest
Vintage pottery and items line the shelves; some of the pieces were bought from Dubois’ sister, who also has an Etsy shop.
Rhoades found the guitar at a yard sale in Tennessee, the pillows are a mix of vintage ones that Dubois thrifted and purchased from Etsy, and the olive green pillow was passed down from her grandmother.
Yellow and red geometric planter: ShopMidCenturyModest
A view to the bedroom from the living room makes the living area feel expansive.
Well-styled vignettes by the seating areas highlight the couples’ vintage collections and add formality. The couple bought the antique barrister cabinet for $75 at an estate sale.
The triangle shelves, made by Rhoades, are a fun alternative to linear shelving. The Danish teak midcentury candlesticks are from an estate sale, bought for $1 each, and the Native American pottery is sold in Dubois’ sister’s Etsy shop.
Pottery: ShopMidCenturyModest
Pottery: ShopMidCenturyModest
The entertainment area has been given a dose of vintage pop culture with music and movie memorabilia. Some of the items were bought and some were found; Rhoades picked up the record player from the street. “There is a big curb culture in Brooklyn,” Dubois says.
At times, Dubois finds relatively new items during her thrifting excursions. “Some things in the apartment look brand new but aren’t. The large West Elm chrome lamp was a very lucky and free curbside find,” she says.
Both Dubois and Rhoades have a thing for Elvis that goes back to their first date at Graceland. Dubois found this Elvis planter on eBay and gave it to Rhoades as a first-anniversary gift. “Unfortunately it was in a couple of pieces when it arrived, and Lacy did an excellent job gluing it back together,” she says.
Dubois’ shell collection evolved over years of picking up shells while on vacation. They add a sophisticated, well-traveled feel to the eclectic space.
Dubois wanted the bedroom to be a calming retreat. “It feels more feminine than the rest of the apartment,” she says. The bedspread is a vintage American coverlet from Etsy.
The tapestry above the bed is vintage, from Ball and Claw Vintage.
A midcentury slat bench does double duty as seating and storage for colorful vintage blankets. Rhoades found it for under $20 in less-than-perfect condition at an estate sale. He replaced the missing legs for under $20 and stained the new legs to match the rest of the wood.
The bedroom also houses much of Dubois’ growing plant collection. “I bought my first plant in 2008, and I was hooked,” she says. Caring for plants has since become her hobby, and she researches plants regularly to ensure she takes care of them properly. “I feel like it’s my karmic duty, since I wasn’t always a good plant parent,” she says.
Rug: Ball and Claw Vintage
Rug: Ball and Claw Vintage
Shelving above the dresser and plant stands by the window and bed are filled with plants.
Dubois bought the atomic bullet planter seen here for $15 at an estate sale. “I initially bought it for the shop, but I took a picture and had to keep it,” she says.
A white midcentury-style wall sconce plays off the whites of several of the plant containers.
Dubois isn’t the only one passionate about plants. Rhoades has his own collection, including a century plant given to him by his late mother. “Caring for it was a labor of love,” Dubois says.
Their combined collection continues to grow. “I think we have around 86 plants in the apartment right now,” Dubois says. “Lacy says we’re at a maximum for plants, but I’m open to more.”
Their combined collection continues to grow. “I think we have around 86 plants in the apartment right now,” Dubois says. “Lacy says we’re at a maximum for plants, but I’m open to more.”
Two layered trunks of different sizes add interest to a bedside vignette. The bottom trunk is a flea market find, and the top trunk is from the Etsy office. “It was from a tag sale held at the old office, and the money went to charity,” Dubois says. “The trunk is so beautiful, and I’m glad I have a little piece of Etsy history in our apartment.”
A classic wall hanger displaying secondhand accessories is functional and in keeping with the vintage vignettes throughout the house.
A collection of knickknacks from yard sales and thrift stores sits on this trunk. The round yellow planter is from Dubois’ sister’s Etsy shop.
Round yellow planter: ShopMidCenturyModest
Round yellow planter: ShopMidCenturyModest
This midcentury wall sconce from Germany is one of Dubois’ favorite and most expensive Etsy purchases. “If I allow myself to splurge by paying retail price for something, I usually do so by buying it on Etsy, since I’m on Etsy all the time and it’s really easy to shop,” she says.
Vintage Bakelite bracelets are stored in an antique hosiery sales cabinet that belonged to Dubois’ late grandmother. “In the 1960s, my grandmother had a small antique gift store, and when she passed, my family inherited the small amount of inventory that never sold.”
Throughout her childhood, Dubois remembers being fascinated by her grandmother’s jewelry. “I didn’t have the same appreciation for it as I do now, but I think that’s when my interest and appreciation for vintage really began,” Dubois says.
Throughout her childhood, Dubois remembers being fascinated by her grandmother’s jewelry. “I didn’t have the same appreciation for it as I do now, but I think that’s when my interest and appreciation for vintage really began,” Dubois says.
Rhoades’ office, his favorite area in the apartment, is a smorgasbord of old technology. Here you’ll find his collection of vintage synthesizers, video cassettes, electronic projects and other retro technical devices that he diligently works to bring back to life.
The shelves are among the few in the apartment the couple purchased. “Lacy’s dream was to build wall-to-wall shelves that would organize his collection of old electronics and projects,” Dubois says. The total cost of the shelves was about $100.
The shelves are among the few in the apartment the couple purchased. “Lacy’s dream was to build wall-to-wall shelves that would organize his collection of old electronics and projects,” Dubois says. The total cost of the shelves was about $100.
This midcentury teak wastebasket is a relatively pricey classic by P.S. Heggen of Norway. The couple found it at a thrift store during one of their many road trips.
Shelving in the office window maximizes the space for plants, which add an organic element to the tech-heavy work area. Dubois found the midcentury nude planter on eBay.
An interesting mix of vintage technology, books and art keeps eyes wandering throughout the room.
Some of Rhoades’ old technology can be seen on the upper shelves above the desk.
The kitchen has been left practically unaltered but still manages to feel homey, as the couple has embellished it with tchotchkes and sentimental keepsakes. Rhoades has had some of the license plates that are displayed above the window since childhood, and the plant hangers in the window are thrift store finds or anniversary gifts.
The couple scored this marble utensil holder at an alley sale in Manhattan’s West Village neighborhood, for a fraction of the normally fairly expensive cost.
Although the bathroom also has undergone few changes, hanging planters, shelving and accents give it a minimalist bohemian feel.
The couple enjoy having views of nature from their apartment, which is located just four blocks from Prospect Park. “We both love that we can wake up and see the sky and trees out of our bedroom window. There’s always cardinals and blue jays outside, which is kind of sweet,” Dubois says.
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The couple enjoy having views of nature from their apartment, which is located just four blocks from Prospect Park. “We both love that we can wake up and see the sky and trees out of our bedroom window. There’s always cardinals and blue jays outside, which is kind of sweet,” Dubois says.
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Amber Dubois of Mamakea and Lacy Rhoades
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 760 square feet (70.6 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Year built: 1899
“New York can sometimes feel kind of nomadic, and this is the first time I feel I’ve put down roots,” Dubois says.
The main living area is filled with the couples’ mix of vintage-style pieces. “I love that we are surrounded by our beautiful plants and keepsakes,” she says. “We both grew up going to flea markets and garage sales with our mothers, and our houses were filled with eclectic antiques and hand-me-downs.”