Interior stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones reveals top places to shop in her book Curated Style

THE CURATOR

An authentic curator knows how to edit well. They have a selective eye, choosing something for its unique merit. Curators tend not to follow the mainstream; they forge their own discovery with style. For a curator, the weirder, the better. The more limited or original an object is, the more appeal it has.

A curator’s home is filled with items that hold deep sentimental meaning, pieces that are beautiful, quirky or one-of-a-kind and have been collected over time. They may be handmade by an artisan or original artwork by an acclaimed artist. Most collections of furniture, art and objects feature contemporary works balanced with vintage and original pieces.

THE HUNT

Every piece I source, whether for a client or my own home, must have a special quality. It could be a unique texture or material, an artistic quality such as organic shapes, or a beautiful palette. I get weak at the knees for a hard-to-find piece of vintage furniture or a rare, one-of-a-kind original. Sometimes I commission a designer or artist to create a bespoke piece.

Curating doesn’t have to be expensive. Incredible things can be found on online marketplaces – most of my favourite vintage furniture pieces were purchased from these platforms and I love them dearly.

The secret to finding special pieces is to be actively observant. Follow the social media accounts of artists, furniture stores and sellers whose work you admire. Set up a Google alert for words and phrases that describe what you’re looking for. Check websites regularly and visit stores in person.

Never stop in your pursuit of finding pieces that bring you joy. Like hunting for treasure, it takes time, patience and resourcefulness, but when you uncover a remarkable piece that makes your heart sing, you appreciate it even more.

WHERE TO DIG FOR TREASURE

• Thrift, charity and vintage stores – It takes time to rummage through, but it’s exciting when you unearth a great find.
• Online vintage stores and social media – There are many sellers of vintage, art and objects on social media. Also, there is often a link on their profile that suggests similar great sellers.
• Art galleries – You can visit and buy from physical and online galleries.
• Visual and ceramic artists – Follow the artists you admire on social media. You can also commission them to create something special just for you.
• Furniture makers – Many furniture makers have a made-to-order collection that you can choose from.
• Flea markets – These are my favourite places to find incredible pieces. But you must be willing to really dig for the treasure!
• Interior designers – Some designers have exclusive inventory for their clients. If you see something you like, ask where it is from. If they have it in stock, you can buy it from them directly.
• Bespoke – If you can’t find the right piece, get someone to make it for you. For my living room, I needed a three-metre sideboard but I couldn’t source one that I liked and could afford. So I designed it (with a terrible hand-drawn sketch!) and had it custom-made. I’m thrilled with how it turned out.

This is an extract from Curated Style by Kerrie-Ann Jones, published by Smith Street Books, $69.99, published April 1, 2025. Copyright photography © Max Burkhalter