Dwell Studio’s Christiane Lemieux Spills Her eBay Shopping Secrets

By Emily Hsieh
February 18, 2010

When we asked Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of New York-based bedding and lifestyle brand Dwell Studio, to share what’s on her eBay wish list, the vintage junkie responded with a flurry of intriguingly obscure, wholly inspiring items that range from a taxidermy bird to a 1960’s Volkswagon. “A great vintage piece will totally elevate what you already have,” she says. “Things were generally made better in the olden days, and I love knowing I’m getting something with history, something you won’t see everywhere else. Plus, buying antique is the ultimate form of recycling.” Recently, we sat down with the Canada native to hear more about her finds, get some decorating tips and learn how she works her eBay magic.

On scoring hidden gems, Lemieux says: “My process is all about the keywords. You can really drill down to what you want if you put in the right series of search terms. I usually put in at least four words for every search—one definitely isn’t enough.” Some of Lemieux’s favorite phrases for yielding sleek, modern, one-of-a-kind housewares include: Danish, midcentury, teak, Hollywood regency, Vintage, Eames, Draper (as in designer Dorothy Draper), and Parzinger (short for Tommy Parzinger, another of Lemieux’s favorite designers). “The more specific you are, the better your results—that’s when you end up with the smorgasbord of stuff to choose from,” she advises.

Dwell Studio's Spring 2010 Collection

Lemieux also offered some practical tips for larger acquisitions: “Scale is so important. If you’re buying furniture, measure your room carefully and pay attention to the dimensions of the piece to make sure it’ll fit well in your house. A lot of vintage furniture is teeny,” she cautions. “And always ask questions. Most eBay sellers are really responsive.

“I kick around eBay all the time,” the designer says, and this holds especially true when she’s brainstorming a new collection. When conceptualizing her just-launched series of peacock-bedecked chinoiserie sheets and pillows, Lemieux made a beeline for the site when she “started to think about taxidermy, which lead to dioramas of birds. The great thing about eBay is you start by searching for one thing and you end up finding fifteen other amazing things you like!”

Here, check out the chic goods that Lemieux stumbled on most recently:

Roll over items for details

Ben Seibel Raymor Jenfred-Ware Modern Book Ends

These Seibel book ends make great objects. You can use them anywhere;in your bookcase, on a side table;they are functional art.

(buy it now price, $380)

C. Jere Raindrops Sculpture Wall Art

A vintage wall sculpture is a great way to add texture and dimension to a room. They are also very hip. I love them over a bed or console.

(buy it now price, $2,800)

Kofod Larsen Danish Modern Brass Rod Chair

“I lust after this chair; I am stalking it. So gorgeous—the proportions are amazing. The hint of brass elevates it to something more than just a midcentury chair. I want these for my bedroom.”

(buy it now price, $675)

Moreddi Danish Modern Eames Era Desk Chair

“I love this chair—it’s a great example of Danish Midcentury innovation. It’s a chair, it’s a console—it’s both. You could very easily put this in the corner or a small room and do something amazing with a light and some objet. Genius.”

(winning bid, $275)

Fornasetti Rare Double Sided Screen

“Wow. This screen would make a room. It could also double as an amazing headboard too—a great trick because you can put storage behind it if it floats a little in the room.”

(buy it now price, $11,000)

Large Real Cowhide Leather Rug

“I never get tired of a cowhide as long as it’s cream. Cowhides are very versatile and the organic shapes make them graphic and gorgeous too. The lines of the hide can really balance out a room full of linear furniture.”

(buy it now price, $150)

Vintage Danish Teak Bed Headboard Night Stands Table

“The perfect headboard to create tension with some of our more decorative bedding. So functional and timeless.”

(buy it now price, $995)

1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

“I love love vintage cars—if it’s weren’t for my need for more car seats, I would buy this today. I especially love a Kamann Ghia and was thrilled to find a super cool one on eBay. The lines of this car are amazing. The design is classic, and the color is perfect. It’s beyond hip.”

(current bid, $3,050)

Taxidermy Bird In Museum Diorama Box Painted Landscape

“I love a diorama—I come across them at flea markets and on eBay all the time. They are hip and it’s a great way to have a little taxidermy as art.”

(starting bid, $265)

Kaiser Idell German Midcentury Lamp

“Such an amazing light. It looks a little like the work of the famed lighting designer Pierre Guariche whose stuff is a fortune. It’s lovely on a bedside or desk.”

(starting bid, $200)