{"id":216695,"date":"2025-12-29T18:13:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T18:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/216695\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T18:13:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T18:13:33","slug":"the-9-best-places-to-buy-tapestries-according-to-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/216695\/","title":{"rendered":"The 9 Best Places to Buy Tapestries, According to Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mixed media, miniature sculptures, monumental mirror-polished balloon figures \u2013 art is, as ever, in its avant-garde era. And yet, over the past year, among both serious collectors and interiors-minded aesthetes, vintage tapestries<\/a> are the decidedly un\u2013forward-thinking category that has, ironically, emerged as the asset du jour.<\/p>\n

Once \u2018old-fashioned,’ tapestries are now understood as a shortcut to cool, but not all are created equal. There are wonderful vintage examples and weaker ones, and as interest has surged, so too has the number of convincing reproductions that offer the look without 16th-century-level prices. The challenge isn\u2019t appreciating them; it\u2019s finding the good ones.<\/p>\n

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Despite how saturated feeds have become with textile wall decor<\/a>, sourcing well-made, well-scaled pieces remains surprisingly difficult. To cut through the noise, Homes & Gardens spoke with designers and collectors about where they\u2019re sourcing tapestries, both for client projects and their own homes.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Ahead, the places the most stylish people you know are actually shopping for woven wall art, new and old.<\/p>\n

1. Look Out For European Designs<\/p>\n

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\"Antique\n<\/p>\n

Sourced in Europe by Cindy Smith, founder of Circa Antiques<\/a>, this wall tapestry adds depth and age to a relatively new home.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: HM Studio. Sourced by Circa Antiques)<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s obvious. Yes, it\u2019s still true. Eye roll away, but if you want the real thing, Europe remains the gold standard. It\u2019s where Circa Antiques<\/a> founder Cindy Smith sources, and where designers like Nina Takesh<\/a> and Studio Thomas James<\/a> founder Philip Thomas Vanderford look for both personal collections and client projects.<\/p>\n

\u2018When sourcing wall tapestries, we head to Europe and search far and wide for antique tapestries,\u2019 says Cindy. Because she\u2019s buying for the Circa showroom, her criteria is exacting. Europe, she notes, is where she\u2019s able to source the most in-demand scenes of the moment, particularly wool-woven nature motifs (as opposed to the cherubs, knights, and battle scenes more commonly found stateside).<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m drawn to specialized antique textile dealers and European markets for historical pieces with visible wear and authenticity,\u2019 adds Philip. \u2018Provenance matters \u2013 the story woven into the textile is part of its resonance.\u2019<\/p>\n

Design expertise in your inbox \u2013 from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.<\/p>\n

To narrow the focus further, Nina Takesh points to Paris. \u2018For antique and historically significant works, I rely on established European dealers, particularly in Paris, as well as auction houses when clients are open to truly one-of-a-kind pieces with clear provenance.’<\/p>\n

If provenance is the priority \u2013 and detail is non-negotiable \u2013 Europe is the playground.<\/p>\n

2. Head to 1stDibs for Vetted Pieces<\/p>\n

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\"Rare\n<\/p>\n

The yin\u2013yang your living room\u2019s been waiting for: a pair of 19th-century verdure tapestries<\/a> from 1stDibs, woven in Aubusson workshops.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: 1stdibs)<\/p>\n

Among designers, 1stDibs<\/a> comes up again and again \u2013 not as a casual browse, but as a serious sourcing tool. Nina Takesh, Shea McGee<\/a>, and Olive Ateliers<\/a> co-founder Laura Sotelo all point to it as their go-to for vetted antique and vintage textiles online.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Online, I\u2019m very selective, with 1stDibs remaining an essential source for vetted antique and vintage<\/a> pieces, and integrity in craftsmanship and materials always guiding my choices,\u2019 says Nina Takesh.<\/p>\n

For Laura, the appeal lies in the people behind the listings \u2013 sellers with \u2018a distinct point of view and intentional curation,\u2019 offering collections that feel \u2018edited, considered, and singular.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m always on the lookout for great textiles, and for my own collection I love hunting on 1stDibs,\u2019 adds Shea. Having debuted her own widely popular Hortensia Tapestry<\/a> for McGee & Co \u2013 celebrated for its subtle irregularities, depth, and narrative \u2013 she knows exactly what separates convincing reproductions from pieces that genuinely feel storied. \u2018I like sourcing this way because it feels a little like a treasure hunt \u2013 you can discover something truly unique,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n

3. Rely on Etsy for Accessibility <\/p>\n

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\"Verdant\n<\/p>\n

With the right styling, this linen wall textile<\/a> from Etsy passes easily for an antique.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Etsy)<\/p>\n

From candle sconces to alpaca wool balaclavas, Etsy<\/a> has become a catch-all for the internet\u2019s most niche obsessions \u2013 and tapestries are no exception. With its global network of small-scale artisans, the platform offers a surprisingly strong entry point for woven wall art.<\/p>\n

\u2018Etsy is a great place to source tapestries from around the world,\u2019 notes Michelle Accetta, Founder & Principal Designer at Michelle Accetta Home<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When sourcing for a recent project, Etsy was her first stop for a very specific brief. \u2018The project that I recently sourced a tapestry for I was looking for something that was large in scale, was interesting, and did not have a huge price tag,\u2019 she explains. \u2018I found a vendor out of Turkey on Etsy who handmade a piece for me. The colors, textures, scale, and price tag worked perfectly for the project!\u2019<\/p>\n

For accessible, genuinely beautiful options \u2013 and the chance to support independent makers \u2013 this is where to look.<\/p>\n

4. Check Out Worldwide Tapestries for Variety <\/p>\n

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\"Ornate\n<\/p>\n

Worldwide Tapestries\u2019 Apollo III<\/a> is a near-perfect stand-in for the Renaissance original by Flemish artist Bernard van Orley.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Worldwide Tapestries)<\/p>\n

\u2018For newly made tapestries, I gravitate toward European and U.S.-based studios that honor traditional techniques, prioritize hand weaving and natural fibers, and offer custom scale and palette,\u2019 Nina Takesh shares \u2013 citing Worldwide Tapestries<\/a> as a favorite.<\/p>\n

Renowned for its expansive collection of handwoven, 100% wool tapestries in the Aubusson style, the brand makes it easy to search by size and subject. From Italian landscapes and French vineyards to Tuscan town scenes, each one is polished enough to pass as antique, yet accessible enough \u2013 by every metric \u2013 to meet your exact vintage art<\/a> needs.<\/p>\n

5. Olive Ateliers for a Design-Forward Selection<\/p>\n

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\"Olive\n<\/p>\n

Vintage runs deep at Olive Ateliers<\/a>, but the European-sourced tapestries are the real prize. Blink and they\u2019re gone, as to be expected from a celeb-favored source.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Olive Ateliers)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever admired a perfectly aged tapestry in a celebrity home and wondered where it came from, there\u2019s a good chance Olive Ateliers<\/a> was involved. The destination is known for its tightly edited selection of antique wall tapestries, \u2018including rare early 1900s examples hand-sourced from French brocantes,\u2019 Laura Sotelo, Olive Ateliers\u2019 co-founder, tells Homes & Gardens.<\/p>\n

\u2018Our approach centers on the romance of European craftsmanship, with each tapestry selected for composed artistry, nuanced patina, tactile richness, and the narrative it brings to a space,\u2019 she continues.<\/p>\n

Some tapestries read cooler than others (you might remember the general avoidance of knights and dead horses noted by Circa Antiques\u2019 Cindy Smith). But if you want a pre-vetted, design-forward selection you can see in person (or shop online), Olive Ateliers does the hard part for you, sourcing from Europe and bringing the best of it stateside.<\/p>\n

6. LiveAuctioneers for the Thrill of the Bid<\/p>\n

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\"Antique\n<\/p>\n

A genuine piece of history, if you\u2019re quick: this 18th-century Louis XV Aubusson Tapestry<\/a>, valued north of $25,000, is currently sitting at a $190 bid. Let the games begin.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Liveauctioneers)<\/p>\n

For antique and vintage tapestries \u2013 with the added adrenaline of a live bid \u2013 Shea McGee<\/a> turns to LiveAuctioneers<\/a>. The platform offers what she describes as tapestries with \u2018incredible substance and craftsmanship,\u2019 pulled from some of the most sought-after regions, including France and Belgium. At any given moment, there are hundreds of pieces in rotation, ranging widely in scale, age, and condition.<\/p>\n

\u2018Even if I\u2019m not buying, browsing keeps me inspired and connected to the history behind the pieces we [McGee & Co.<\/a>] create,\u2019 Shea muses.<\/p>\n

7. Travel to Round Top for Thousands of Options<\/p>\n

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\"Outdoor\n<\/p>\n

Try not to get sidetracked by Round Top\u2019s<\/a> 2,500-plus vendors before you zero in on the textiles.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re serious (or just romantically inclined) Round Top<\/a> is worth the pilgrimage. Founded in 1968 and spanning eleven miles of vendors, it\u2019s one of the largest antique fairs in the country.<\/p>\n

\u2018We always trust the Round Top Antique Fair semiannually for most of our vintage finds,\u2019 says Erin Sander of Erin Sander Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While she sources widely, Round Top\u2019s scale is unmatched. \u2018From French antiques to Southwestern Native American works, tapestries are adding depth and textures to walls throughout our newest designs,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n

Go with time, stamina, and an open mind \u2013 the payoff can be extraordinary.<\/p>\n

8. Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries for Amazing Reproductions<\/p>\n

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\"Oversized\n<\/p>\n

This Matt Camron-sourced tapestry has already sold, but the archive runs deep \u2013 plenty of garden scenes<\/a> with the same sensibility remain in rotation.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries)<\/p>\n

Another Nina Takesh\u2013approved source comes in the form of Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries<\/a>, which \u2013 as the name suggests \u2013 is a true one-stop shop for textiles. The studio consistently produces rugs worthy of the wall, working with master weavers around the world to craft pieces that feel faithful to antique originals in tandem with styles that are entirely their own.<\/p>\n

Alongside original designs and thoughtful reproductions of historic patterns, Matt Camron also carries a strong selection of genuine antiques<\/a> for those who want the real thing. Whether you\u2019re after something aged to perfection or convincingly new, this is a rare place where both camps are equally well served.<\/p>\n

9. Always Explore Local Antique, Vintage, Thrift, Garage, and Estate Sales<\/p>\n

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\"A\n<\/p>\n

Hidden tapestry gems abound in the most unlikely of places, so keep your eyes peeled.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future \/ SARAH KAYE REPRESENTATION LTD (POLLY WREFORD))<\/p>\n

Antique shops, thrift stores, estate sales, and even garage sales all belong in the same bucket here \u2013 because the experience varies wildly depending on where you live. Some destinations (Round Top, for example) are as legendary as they are enormous. Others are far less obvious, but can be just as promising.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve only ever found the perfect tapestry by chance, in the constant, endless treasure hunt that defines sourcing for eclectic, stylistically rich interiors,\u2019 says Jennifer Salvemini, Creative Director at Studio Hinterland<\/a>. \u2018For Studio Hinterland, my regular circuit includes garage sales, thrift shops, antique stores, and \u2013 of course \u2013 estate sales and auctions, which are often the best places to stumble upon a decorative textile.\u2019<\/p>\n

That process isn\u2019t always glamorous. \u2018You must be willing to riffle,\u2019 she continues, \u2018sometimes for hours, through bins and stacks of actual trash to find the treasure buried within. Though it can be tedious and time-consuming, we love sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces that give each space its defining character. A tapestry can really do that!\u2019<\/p>\n

One of her most recent finds is a 19th-century rose-motif tapestry discovered at a barn sale with her mom. She\u2019s bringing it back to the city to drape over a crib in a nursery she\u2019s designing in a Federalist townhouse in Brooklyn. \u2018Like sourcing anything for an interior with an emerging aesthetic, you\u2019ll just know it when you see it,’ she hums.<\/p>\n

Looking for more advice on decorating with on-trend antiques? Our series Better Vintage<\/a> explores the specific pieces to have on your vintage collecting radar.<\/p>\n