What to Thrift Now: (New) Modernism

Plus, what the stock market can teach us about thrifting

I have long toyed with the idea of either writing a newsletter or hosting a podcast breaking down political and economic headlines in layman’s terms — sort of a “Why You Should Care”-type of deal, in which each issue or episode focuses on one thing: interest rates, the electoral college, inflation… all of those terribly unsexy topics that we all hear about endlessly but never entirely understand (or were maybe too embarrassed to ask anyone about until it felt too late).

One of the issues which I think feels so out of reach for so many is the stock market. But here’s the truth: anyone can invest in the stock market and you don’t even have to be a financial expert to do it.

Years ago, I worked as the National News Reporter at Eater, a website largely known for its restaurant reviews. But my job was to report on the business side of food and I did so by focusing on some of the larger companies (Chipotle, Starbucks, Yum Brands) and listening to their earnings calls every financial quarter. I had invested in the stock market prior to taking this job but I began doing it with much more gusto after.

Sam Frost via Architectural Digest

Through listening to earnings calls (which, by the way, anyone can do, simply by calling a toll free number usually listed in the press release section of a company’s website), I learned that what stock-traders do isn’t all that different from what vintage resellers do.

In the simplest terms, buying and selling stocks is about trend-forecasting. You have to be able to see into the future a little bit in order to make a good buy. Here’s what I mean: early on in the pandemic, before it had officially been declared a pandemic, I started seeing headlines about shutdowns in Europe. If it happened there, I reasoned, it could happen here — and if it did, what might that mean for schools? Or the way we do business? I immediately invested in some companies that specialized in remote learning and others that specialized in digital payments. Later, I invested in two drug companies that were researching and formulating vaccines to ward off the virus: Pfizer and Moderna. Those investments paid off and it isn’t because I had some inside scoop. It’s because I asked the question: where is society heading? Where will we be in six months? A year? What will we be buying and eating and how will we be doing business?

Sometimes, even a knowledge of pop culture can be beneficial when it comes to stock-buying: When Oprah Winfrey purchased a 10% stake in Weight Watchers in 2015, the stock jumped 30% (chalk that up to the power of celebrity). Fast-forward nine years later, though, and Weight Watchers isn’t what it used to be, and their stock has fallen as a result. But if you follow pop culture and beauty trends, you know that already — and you may have opted to invest in something different a few years ago… Something like Novo Nordisk, which hovered at around $28 per share when Oprah joined the Weight Watchers team in 2015. Today, Novo shares are at more than $130. Why? At least partly because of the success of their own weight loss wonder: Ozempic, which was approved for use in 2017.

via Studio Mellone

So, how is thrifting like the stock market? For one, it’s a game of risk. Sometimes you purchase something and flip it and net a profit. Other times, you lose your investment entirely. But the two are similar in another way: Both require foreseeing trends.

When I am out thrifting, I try not to buy what everyone else is buying. If I see the same thing all over eBay, I know there’s an over-supply. I want the more rare, more unique pieces. Often, that means I buy stuff other people walk past. My Fornasetti desk? That was available for months before I purchased it.

I also like the stock-reselling analogy because we talk about the two things so very differently. I think a large part of that is because stock-trading as an industry is male dominated. It’s therefore seen as more serious. Stock traders are “making deals,” while female resellers are often described as “taking advantage” or manipulating someone in order to make money. But both are using their skills and their knowledge of trends to practice Business 101: buy for 1, and sell for 2. And both are forcing the gears of the economy as a result.

Long story short: It helps to look ahead, both if you’re buying for re-sale or if you just want to buy items that are trendy before they’re trendy.

Below is more about the trend that I think will be taking over the interiors space in the coming months and years: New Modernism. Plus, I rounded up some items I think you should thrift now, to get the look before everyone is buying it.

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via Hauvette & Madani

What is Modernism?

I think a lot of people confuse “modern” and “contemporary.” Modern design is really rooted in the 1940s and ‘50s (understandably weird considering “modern” conjures up images of things that are, say, high-tech?)

framed photography print // rattan and resin placemat // amoeba-shaped bowl // 1940s wood stool // brass lamp

In both architecture and interior design, modernism places a strong emphasis on functionality. Think flat roofs, wide windows, and well-made furnishings in heavy materials like marble, chrome, and wood — in this case, form follows function and everything has its place. We’re all familiar with the look of American mid-century modern, but I think this new iteration veers in a more sophisticated, even sexy, direction.

The current and coming wave of modernist design will feature a lot of Italian and French accents and mix primitive modern design (like the wooden chairs here) with more sleek and luxe touches (like the bottle holder below).

pair of wooden chairs // abstract painting // rattan pendant light // brass box // biomorphic sculpture // bottle holder

What I’m thrifting to get the look:

• Weird wooden chairs: The proper term is Brutalist, but let’s just call the wooden chairs we’ve been seeing everywhere exactly what they are: weird and wonky. These have been in every tastemaker’s home on Architectural Digest which means Target will be making knockoffs imminently. Buy the real thing while you still can.

• Tiny rattan light fixtures: The key word here is tiny. Something about diminutive light fixtures feels chic. Big and bulky pendants had their moment, now it’s all about something more petite.

• Abstract art: Abstract art is always trendy in my book but it especially looks good these days. Lately, I’m into more muted hues and jewel tones.

• Torched brass details: Okay so this is not the time to reach for those shiny brass elephants you see at estate sales. Instead, it’s all about torched brass — on light fixtures, sculptures — or brass with some natural rust and patina.

• Biomorphic sculptures: Anything with rounded edges works here. It’s all about using accessories to tone down the sharp edges of the bigger pieces. A dose of faux fur (a pillow or throw) and a big bouquet of pink flowers does the trick, too.

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Rapid Fire

What I’m watching: The new Netflix two-part docuseries Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter tells the story of a woman who learns that a child she once put up for adoption has been missing for decades. This is a true crime doc but at its heart, it’s about a woman’s unwillingness to give up (it’s also full of twists and turns that make it incredibly riveting and, of course, very chilling).

A movie I’m looking forward to: Did you guys read The People We Meet on Vacation? I’m a sucker for Emily Henry and have read all her books. I am excited to see the Netflix adaptation. Glamour got the rundown on casting, what to expect, etc.

A recipe I make constantly: This recipe is nothing new but it occurred to me to share it as I make this at least once a month. Ina Garten’s salmon with melting cherry tomatoes is so good. The tomatoes release their sugars so it gets a little sweet. I usually just serve with some sautéed spinach but it would be great over linguine, too.

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and I’ll leave you with this…