eBay Shopping Secrets of the Pros

Dwell Studio's Christiane LeMieux spills her eBay shopping secrets to The Inside Source.

As much as we love a good antique market, the crowds, heat and prices can sometimes make our heads explode. Naturally, it's no wonder we're huge fans of eBay, where we can shop 'til we drop -- all from the comfort of our king-sized bed.

But all too often, navigating the waters of eBay can be time-consuming, frustrating and just as crazy as those antique markets we've established a serious love/hate relationship with. How to combat the crazy? Follow a few shopping tips from the pros, namely Christiane LeMieux of Dwell Studio fame:

On scoring hidden gems, Lemieux says: "My process is all about the keywords. You can really drill down to what you want if you put in the right series of search terms. I usually put in at least four words for every search -- one definitely isn't enough."

Some of Lemieux's favorite phrases for yielding sleek, modern, one-of-a-kind housewares include: Danish, midcentury, teak, Hollywood regency, Vintage, Eames, Draper (as in designer Dorothy Draper), and Parzinger (short for Tommy Parzinger, another of Lemieux's favorite designers). "The more specific you are, the better your results -- that's when you end up with the smorgasbord of stuff to choose from," she advises.

Lemieux also offered some practical tips for larger acquisitions: "Scale is so important. If you're buying furniture, measure your room carefully and pay attention to the dimensions of the piece to make sure it'll fit well in your house. A lot of vintage furniture is teeny," she cautions. "And always ask questions. Most eBay sellers are really responsive."

A few pieces LeMieux has had her eye on?:
Kofod Larsen Danish Modern Brass Rod Chair (buy it now price, $675) "I lust after this chair; I am stalking it. So gorgeous -- the proportions are amazing. The hint of brass elevates it to something more than just a Midcentury chair. I want these for my bedroom."
Moreddi Danish Modern Eames Era Desk Chair (winning bid, $275) "I love this chair -- it's a great example of Danish Midcentury innovation. It's a chair, it's a console -- it's both. You could very easily put this in the corner or a small room and do something amazing with a light and some objet. Genius."
Large Real Cowhide Leather Rug (buy it now price, $150) "I never get tired of a cowhide as long as it's cream. Cowhides are very versatile and the organic shapes make them graphic and gorgeous too. The lines of the hide can really balance out a room full of linear furniture."

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