Erin Nicole

Shopping at random for antiques can be a tough proposition for those who lack a professional eye; it’s difficult to know what’s reasonable, what’s authentic and what’s mostly just creatively marketed smoke and mirrors (read: junk). But if you're just not into what contemporary furniture stores or boutique shops have to offer, antique stores are your best bet. So to aid you as you endeavor to add both soul and history to your home—without regular, grueling trips to the Rose Bowl Flea Market—we’ve scoured the city, from Echo Park to Venice, for the best it has to offer in antique dealers. Here, LA's finest, ranked and reviewed.

In Los Angeles, fall fashion arrives a bit later than it does elsewhere, with October’s pumpkin patches serving as a much-needed alert that it’s time to change up your wardrobe. Despite the continued heat, it’s officially time to ditch summer styles, so we’ve enlisted some of LA’s top fashion bloggers for advice on making the switch to fall. They’re telling us what we should be wearing this season, how to steal their style and what embarrassing items we should shove to the back of our closet ASAP (hint: bye, culottes).

Proprietor Jane Hallworth got her start pillaging auction houses as a student at Newcastle University, and had the small success of selling some of her first finds to none other than Ralph Lauren. Her showroom in Los Angeles is small and understated, with the feel of someone’s enviably quaint—and moody—home more so than that of a place of business. Look for Danish furniture from the 1800s, one-of-a-kind light fixtures spanning decades and much more, all at incredibly fair prices. A quick scan of the space and you’ll realize there’s a reason the press-shy Hallworth is famous among the famous in Los Angeles.

If you’re restoring an old home or want to add some charm to something new you’re building, you must stop into Wells Tile & Antiques. They specialize in antique tiles, mostly from California due to the design renaissance that occurred here in the 1920s. Wells is so trusted that they’re often commissioned to remove tiles from historic sites, and they will provide installation design upon request. Expect to find garden and outdoor antiques here as well.

The gems found in Little Paris mainly hail from Europe, and date  back to the 1700s. The shop itself was founded originally in France in 1975, and was relocated to its current, 10,000 square-foot Los Angeles space in 2002. Little Paris isn’t really the place to go if you’re looking for some antique neutrals to blend quietly into your home. Each piece has personality, and the collection is a solid mix of known and unknown designers. Prices can jump between items rather drastically, ranging anywhere from under $1,000 to upwards of $60,000. The space itself has an eclectic, French flea market vibe, and you’ll want to set aside quite a bit of time to ensure you see every piece displayed within its walls.

If architectural salvage excites you, there is no better shop in Los Angeles than Olde Good Things. Its owners pillage late 19th century and pre-depression buildings to bring an incredibly special assortment of doorknobs, doors, hardware, stained glass and more to their storefront. Those restoring old homes will find a visit to Olde Good Things to be a must, but it’s also worth seeing even if you’re only wanting to spectate, as the experience is akin to visiting a museum. We’re especially fond of their hardware, lighting fixtures, antique glass and tiles and occasional claw foot bath tub. And hey, maybe you don’t need a salvaged urinal… but then again, maybe you do.

This 16,000 square-foot collection of curators is a local favorite, and it's possible to bargain with many of the dealers who showcase their wares here. For this reason, many of the pricier Los Angeles shops source their pieces here, as do set designers and A-list celebrities. If antique galleries intimidate you, The Mart Collective is the perfect alternative, as the vibe here is somewhat akin to a clean and well-organized swap meet replete with unexpected treasures you’d be just as likely to find in a stuffy, upscale gallery for at least twice the price.

Vintageweave is all about French farmhouse-style antiques; think antique milk bottles, French baguette baskets, coffee mills, ashtrays, plate sets and more. This shop, which has consistently won awards from various local and national publications, is all charm and no French snobbery. Check back frequently, as they regularly ship in new treasures directly from France. We recommend making Vintageweave a go-to for those who prefer to purchase one-of-a-kind wedding gifts for friends and family. When you go, it’s advisable to make friends with staff members upon your first visit, as store hours are very French in nature (read: unpredictable), and therefore it might be helpful to have the inside scoop. If this approach fails, your best bet is to visit Vintageweave on weekday afternoons whenever possible.

We couldn’t resist including Fat Chance despite the fact that its offerings are more mid-century modern than most proper antiques. The store’s inventory is so on point that we're still thinking of snagging a 1970s lucite game table from the sales floor. Fat Chance’s curation includes mostly items with a certain amount of flare, so make sure to visit if you’re looking to accent your home with some showy investment pieces.

Pepe’s is one of those under-the-radar places in LA that people like to keep to themselves so others don’t go in and raid it of its treasures. Antiques here are priced incredibly reasonably, and you’ll find trendy mid-century pieces for hundreds less than they would cost elsewhere in LA. It’s a packed space, so seeking out the gems takes both time and patience, but it’s also a family-run affair and at least a few members are on hand at all times to offer advice. Most pieces are well-worn, so if you’re looking for antiques that have the appearance of being untouched or restored, this may not be the perfect fit. Those who prefer a homier vibe, however, will feel right at—well—home.

As Church Hill Antiques has the crowded, overstuffed feel of a thrift store, the unseasoned shopper may feel the prices are high for what’s on offer. Appearances can be deceiving, however, and in reality Church Hill is simply brimming with must-have treasures, ones which its British proprietor may bargain down in price if you ask nicely. Look for standard fare—antique seating, lighting and etc—as well as more offbeat items, like antique opium scales.