An interview with Lydia from Époque Home
One thing I’ve learned from my time in Montreal is that it is abundant with vintage and antique dealers with unique, eclectic tastes. Perhaps it was the thrill of decorating my first apartment that spurred interest in the world of individual sellers who curate and operate their businesses solely on Instagram. Easily shoppable and with the kind of personalized service that is hard to find, I became hooked on a few vintage retailers. One of the first and favourites of mine is Lydia from @epoquehome, where I bought my “swan” lamp and solid marble table. She has an impressive collection of pieces from the Art Deco era, and is gaining traction within a community that knows how to search the corners of the internet for that perfect finishing touch for a room.
I got the chance to ask Lydia a few questions - our previous encounters were often swift and involved furniture transportation (I was running back and forth from working to picking up furniture, and Lydia, as a business owner, was just as busy herself). Below she provides her inspirations, as well as some advice from her experience as a small business owner. I highly encourage you to check out her selection of pieces here.
Sasha: First thing is first – tell us who you are, what you do, and how you got here!
Lydia: Hi, my name is Lydia. I’m a vintage home goods and furniture seller. I would say that I have always been into interiors but got into collecting items about 2 years ago when I started thrifting and being more conscious about my spending habits.
What inspired you to start Époque Home?
I discovered the world of vintage reselling through other similar pages online that were doing this, and thought I could do it too since I had already accumulated a good vintage items collection.
What are your favourite pieces that you’ve sold?
My two favorite pieces that I have sold so far are the famous pink Art Deco lady lamp and the set of smoked Mid century mirrored plinths.
What inspires your sourcing? Are there any specific designers, artists, or eras that influence your decision when sourcing pieces?
I’m always on the lookout for fun, unique, and different pieces. I like the mid-century modern era for its clean, simple lines and the Art deco era for its exuberance and Cubism inspired forms.
What is the best part about being a business owner and entrepreneur?
The best part is definitely the sense of fulfillment that comes with knowing that all the hard work you’re putting into your business will circle back to you. Building something from the ground up and seeing it grow is a very rewarding feeling!
What is the most challenging thing about owning your business?
The most challenging thing is the uncertainty of it all. It’s not like a 9-5 where you know you will get a fixed paycheck every two weeks no matter what. Also, what some people don’t know is that there’s no set schedules which is not always easy for the outside world to understand.
Where do you see Époque Home going in the future?
I plan on opening a small showroom where people will be able to come in person to see the pieces. This will also help me in transitioning into selling bigger furniture as everything is currently stored in my apartment. My mom thinks I’m a hoarder whenever she visits me lol.
What advice do you have for people branching out on their own to start a business?
Perfect timing doesn’t exist, there’s no better time than now! That being said, knowledge is power - learn as much as you can on the specific field you plan on operating in. For a whole year I educated myself on the different eras, designers, styles, and trends to better help me recognize the key pieces on my sourcing adventures. This also helps me build credibility behind my brand.
