Continuing our celebration of creators with a strong vision and distinct identity, we sat down with Vincent, founder of Modest Furniture. From morning rituals and musical influences to vintage dream decades and unexpected finds, this Q&A dives into the habits, memories, and curiosities that shape his eye and approach to vintage. A relaxed conversation about taste, instinct, and the stories that live behind every object.
What’s your usual breakfast (or favourite morning ritual)?
The regular breakfast is a cappuccino with something small to eat like 'a dolce'.
What’s a song or band you’ve been listening to a lot lately?
The song ADD by the Viagra Boys, we never get bored of being old ;)
If you could time-travel to any decade to shop for vintage, which would it be?
Wow, that's not an easy one! But it would be just after WWII, after a horrific period, you can see the reconstruction based on early 20th-century modernism. The design clearly reflects a kind of positivism.
What’s the most unusual or funny place you’ve found a vintage piece?
In the garden of someone who sold a lot of 'trash'. I found a model 387 floor lamp designed by Tito Agnoli in 1954 for Oluce, Italy. I think I paid only 5 euros; the owner was very surprised, and I took that item. He thought it was missing a shade and the base was made by a tinkerer.
What’s your favourite vintage piece of all time?
Not one but I do have a lot of favourites. I tell my customers that there are so many great items, but unfortunately bad taste prevails. Please don't take this personally!
How did you first get into selling vintage?
I started restoration as an upholsterer when I was only 19 years old. My grandmother already collected and my grandfather was a master tailor, so you could say that I've this awful illness (collecting) of my grandmother from my father's side and the handy hands and passion for quality materials of my grandfather as well from my father's side. So I hope to bring some justice to my family name.
What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever sold and why?
Once, I sold a furniture piece made by Joseph Mendes da Costa. It was made on commission for his personal friends. It was made in the 1930s in coromandel wood with bronze elements. Even today, it can bring tears to my eyes. But unfortunately, I have a lot of other items which have left the 'building' and will never return. Dealing in emotional goods makes you aware of how temporary life is, thank GOD we can enjoy some beauties from the past!
How do you decide which items make it into your shop?
When it feels alright and you know how it can fit in. I like the storytelling of an interior; you need to have the feeling of walking through a time capsule. Not from one period but what you collect throughout life, by experience, memories, curiosity and interest. There is no past without the present, but without a future there is no reason either. Isn't that what makes us strive to create, preserve, and love?
What does “vintage” mean to you personally?
The name 'vintage' comes from my perspective more of secondhand design clothing or wine, and has nothing to do directly with interior design. I see myself more as a mid-century dealer. In the past, we did buy second-hand furniture because we couldn't always afford new furniture. We must never underestimate that design furniture was not for the average person, price-wise or intellectually.
If you weren’t selling vintage, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I would be doing restoration work, or with some bad luck, working at Ikea .;);););)
Since we’re Curiouz… What’s something you’ve always been curious to try, but haven’t (yet)?
Skydiving, but after hearing how Danish designer Jo Hammerborg died, I don't have the guts anymore.
