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:

 

1. Ben Seibel Raymor Jenfred-Ware Modern Book Ends (buy it now price, $380) “These Seibel book ends make great objects. You can use them anywhere—in your bookcase, on a side table—they are functional art.”

2. C. Jere Raindrops Sculpture Wall Art (buy it now price, $2,800) “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.”

3. Kofod Larsen Danish Modern Brass Rod Chair (buy it now price, $675) “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.”

4. Moreddi Danish Modern Eames Era Desk Chair (winning bid, $275) “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.”

5. Fornasetti Rare Double Sided Screen (buy it now price, $11,000) “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.”

6. Large Real Cowhide Leather Rug (buy it now price, $150) “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.”

7. Vintage Danish Teak Bed Headboard Night Stands Table (buy it now price, $995) “The perfect headboard to create tension with some of our more decorative bedding. So functional and timeless.”

8. 1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (current bid, $3,050) “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.”

9. Taxidermy Bird In Museum Diorama Box Painted Landscape (starting bid, $265) “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.”

10. Kaiser Idell German Midcentury Lamp (starting bid, $200) “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.”

 

Emily Hsieh is a freelance writer and editor in New York City who has contributed to publications including Lucky, Allure, InStyle, and People.