How to shop for mid-century design: six dos and don'ts

Shopping for vintage design is a bit like online dating. Yes, the cornucopia of imagery on your screen can be enticing... but ultimately, it's an in-person experience that will convince you that it's a perfect match.

That's why it's so exciting that Toronto shops are slowly opening their doors post-lockdown. If you're like me, you're fatigued from all the scrolling and tapping and can't wait to fall in love with mid-century objects at first sight again.

I've been to two of my favourite dealers so far, now open by appointment – and I have to admit, mixed in with the thrill was some awkwardness. It's as though I can't remember how to behave in an actual store.

There's a scene in the movie PlayTime that perfectly illustrates the curiosity, dizziness and unease that I felt in my first few minutes of real-life shopping. Watch this four-minute clip:

Jacques Tati's manoeuvres in this classic Modernist environment are good examples of what to do – and what not to do – whenever you first find yourself in a reopened vintage emporium.

Do slow down

Make sure you shift gears from sidewalk-speed to shop-speed. Tati's velocity is just right for a design connoisseur, whether new or seasoned. You need to take enough time to find out which items speak to you.

Don't get distracted

Tati gets mesmerized by a fellow waiting room occupant and all his finicky gestures. If there are other customers buzzing around as you shop, tune them out. It's all about the connection between you and the objects, nothing else.

Do test the merchandise

Like Tati, get a feeling for items that catch your eye: try out a chair, pick up a vase, discover the heft of that glass paperweight. Ask the shopkeeper's permission before you do, since some vintage pieces are fragile. The magic of ownership starts with anticipatory touch.

Don't be afraid to speak up

Even when the sharply suited official looks directly at him, Tati doesn't say a word. Most shopkeepers will start up a chat – but even if they don't, say something. Ask a question, make a remark. There's a story behind each object in the space and it only takes a word or two to unlock it.

Do tread carefully

Tati nearly falls on a floor that's skating rink slippery. While that may be unlikely in your shopping expedition, you do need to be aware of all the delicate objects around you. In one of my recent ventures, I bonked my head on a low-hanging ceiling lamp. No harm done, but I'll be more cautious next trip.

Don't walk off unsatisfied

Tati simply drifts off screen at the end of this clip. Don't make this mistake. You may need to think about what you've seen, especially if it's a big ticket purchase. But snap a picture, make some notes, leave with a business card customized with the name and dimensions of that tantalizing coffee table. When you realize later that it was meant for you, you'll be ready for action.

Now it's your turn, dear reader. Armed with Tati's blunders and brilliance, go forth and shop!