Talk Shop: Margaret Schwartz // Modern Antiquarian
ABOUT MARGARET
As the owner of Modern Antiquarian, Margaret Schwartz loves mixing old with new. Margaret began her career at Martha Stewart Living, which was key in inspiring her to pursue her interest in the home decor business. In 2011, Margaret acquired The Summer House, an antiques and home design store in New Canaan, Connecticut. Having her own brick-and-mortar store, Margaret was able to apply and refine her signature style and passion for home design, hand-picking her favorite finds, including furniture, fine art, lighting, rugs, and antiques.
During her six years owning The Summer House, Margaret's passion for antiques grew, and her reputation in the antique arena did as well. In early 2018, Margaret closed the Summer House store location in New Canaan, changing her focus to center on the unique antiques she sells. The new business, Modern Antiquarian, took the Summer House space at The Antique and Artisan Gallery in Stamford, Connecticut, where clients enjoy an unparalleled shopping experience. Whether you're looking for something specific or searching for a beautiful addition to your space, Modern Antiquarian has it all. For more on Margaret and Modern Antiquarian, follow along with our latest Talk Shop!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Evergreen, understated, meaningful.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Martha Stewart, Nick Olsen, and Diane Keaton.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I really fell into antiques. I went on a one-day Antiques Diva tour in England. I didn't know if I would get any inventory at all, but I ended up filing a 20' container! It was one of the defining moments of my life, and I knew then that I would become a dealer full-time. It took a few years to get there, but I celebrated my 5-year anniversary in January, and I am so happy I took the leap.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I have the two best mentors you could hope for. Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva, and Gail McLeod of Antiques News and Fairs in the UK. They have encouraged and supported me and helped me examine and reevaluate my business. I am incredibly grateful for their wisdom and insight.
What does your home say about you:
My own home is unabashedly feminine. I worked with Courtney McLeod of Right Meets Left Interior Design, and she helped create a space that truly reflects me. There is some fun color and a lot of little jewel box moments. My home shows how people live a modern life with antiques, which is my business mission. I have an antique bed that we reupholstered in Jokhan Tiger by Schumacher. My kitchen is tiny, so we put a fabulous antique Swedish glazed front cabinet in my dining room for storage. We added a lot of modern touches, like a custom-designed glass chandelier made in Italy and a fabulous custom sofa with box cushions that have ruched sides. I have different areas for all my needs, whether dining, relaxing, hosting friends, or creating a comfortable sleeping environment.
Where do you find inspiration:
I do all my buying in Europe and I love seeing how things are displayed and what is trending over there. The dealers I work with over there are very knowledgeable and collaborative. I usually come back with new ideas on how to merchandise my antiques or a new business idea! I also always take the week between Christmas and New Year's to isolate myself. I need that week to reflect and start percolating on new ideas or opportunities.
Who are your style icons:
For interiors, it has to be Nick Olsen, Timothy Corrigan, and Bunny Williams. I admire the interiors and gardens that Bunny and Tim create. I love the way Nick understands and incorporates antiques, and I'm excited to see what he does with the exterior of his Dutchess County home. I am moving more and more toward garden antiques and I love watching how designers create outdoor rooms that reflect the lifestyles and aesthetics of their clients. Plus, has there ever been a chicer garden shop than Treillage?
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
The right group of people mixed with good cocktails, flowers, food, and music. My family always does event-themed Jell-O shots for our events, and people get such a kick out of that.
Do you collect anything:
I collect sunburst mirrors. I have a dark hallway that needs some brightening, and those gilt mirrors are an easy way to achieve that. I also collect weird stuff. Whatever speaks to me. Just make it weird.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Cake Atelier for floral design, La Petite Maison for merchandising, Habitually Chic for culture, and of course, Anna Brockway's personal account which is hilarious.
What design "rule" do you always follow, which is made to be broken:
My only rule is to buy what you love and the best quality you can afford. Rules are made to be broken. Do the Murano glass cigarettes work next to my antique Sheaf of Wheat cocktail table? Probably not, but I love them both!
What are you working on right now:
This is a big back-to-basics year for me. The industry has been firing on all cylinders, and I want to make sure the foundation of my business is as solid as I can get it. I want my systems and processes to be clear and concise to ensure my clients have as frictionless an experience as possible. I am all about frictionless!
Wardrobe staples:
Flowy dresses. I dress in a more romantic, feminine way, and I love a good dress with pockets.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
The custom de Gournay "Sarus Cranes" wallcovering in my home. It is to die for fabulous.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Always buy the best quality you can afford.
Best career advice you ever received:
Don't be afraid to fail. You'll always learn from it.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I invest in good quality furniture that can be reupholstered or will stand the test of time. I save on things like accessories or art. There are wonderful living artists like Kim Keever and Angela Chrusciaki Blehm, whom I love and find to be a more accessible price point.
Your greatest extravagance:
The de Gournay Sarus Cranes wallcovering in my dining space. I love a bird motif, and this piece was customized with hand-painted cranes, hand-beaded, and gorgeous highlights of gold in the water that create this stunning movement in the paper. It was a very long wait and totally worth it. My designer Courtney McLeod had them back it so it can be reused, should I ever move. I also spend on frequent travel because travel is a big part of my life. It seems like I am away from home half the year, and I rather enjoy that.
Favorite antique places to shop:
I love going to Round Top, TX! There is nothing else like it in the US. Absolutely something for everyone across price points, disciplines, and styles. For my business, I almost exclusively buy in Europe. I find really unusual things over there, particularly with the garden antiques. I am growing more and more in love with garden antiques these days. There are very few people in the States that specialize in it, and I'm excited about the opportunity.
Most prized possession and why:
A family member did an illustration of my grandfather, and I love it. The illustration perfectly captures his warmth, but also his mischievous streak! He encouraged all of us to be a bit mischievous, and boy did it take.
Your interiors motto:
More is more.
Your life motto:
I'm not happy unless I'm miserable! I thrive when I've got too much on my plate.
Advice for someone who's getting into antiquing:
Ask a lot of questions. Dealers are happy to chat about our inventory and share our knowledge. Figure out what you love and be open to exploring new looks that you might not have known about. I still love and sell Gustavian furniture, but I have also completely fallen in love with garden antiques. Your tastes and needs may evolve over time, and that is ok.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Go ahead and scroll Pinterest and Instagram. But make sure you go down the rabbit hole. Really examine the photos, and if you see some weird object, start looking into it. Maybe it'll lead you to a new artist or another designer that speaks more to your look. Don't be afraid to buy weird stuff because that's what will give your home its individuality. It'll be a better reflection of you and your needs.
Take Ten:
My Favorite…
Food: Panang Curry from Thep in Lenox Hill.
Drink: Margarita
Film: For design inspiration, I love the new Emma movie, but for comedy, I'll always watch Christmas Vacation or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris is the chicest hotel I've stayed in. I'm dying to get to The Colony in Palm Beach since it was redone.
City: New York. I was born here, and no place feels as good to me as Manhattan does.
Bedding: Ann Gish
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Chai or black tea.
Playlist: There is a great Frank Sinatra and Rat Pack playlist on Spotify that I listen to frequently. But I feel very strongly that you can listen to Christmas music year-round.
Weekend Activity: Dinner with friends and some downtime. I'm an introvert and need some quiet time after the typically crazy work weeks. I just returned from 2.5 weeks in Texas, and it'll take me 5 weeks to recover from all the "peopling."
Design Book: An old, out-of-print book about the history of Swedish material culture.