I hear you love antiques. The depth! The character! The history! Maybe you’d even like to use MORE of them in your design work?

Let's ask some practical questions!

• How do you know whether something is actually worth what they’re asking?
• What happens when the perfect antique fireplace arrives... and nobody wants to install it?
• How do shipping, repairs, upholstery, tariffs, and all the other costs affect what you charge your client?
• And... What if there are bugs? 😳

In this episode, I talked with Debbie Mathews LeRoy of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs in Nashville, Tennessee. Debbie has been buying and selling antiques for more than three decades, and she believes every room needs at least one antique.

I came to this conversation from the opposite direction: after nearly 20 years as an interior designer, I had sourced exactly ZERO antiques for my clients. 😂

I had questions!

Rebecca asks Debbie:

1. What should designers actually look for when it comes to bugs, past damage, and active infestations?
2. What changes when you’re incorporating antique doors, fireplaces, windows, or other architectural pieces into a project?
3. How do you find craftspeople who actually know how to repair, restore, rewire, or install antiques?
4. How do you know what an antique should cost — especially when you’re shopping overseas or buying from photos?
5. What does the REAL cost of an antique look like once you add shipping, restoration, upholstery, tariffs, and other expenses?
6. How does Debbie price antiques and make sure there’s enough margin in each piece?
7. What kinds of antiques are safest for a designer who wants to start small and learn without taking on a ton of risk?
8. How does she prepare clients for the imperfections, patina, and final commitment that come with buying something old and one-of-a-kind?
9. What should you photograph, measure, and document before an antique ever gets shipped?
10. And what is it REALLY like shopping the antique markets of Europe at 5:00 in the morning with a headlamp while other buyers are literally running through the gates? 😂

The biggest takeaway? Antiques require more homework than ordering something new from a catalog. But they’re also not nearly as fragile — or as scary — as you might think.

If you want to use more of them in your work, Debbie gives you a really practical place to start. Enjoy!

ABOUT DEBBIE MATHEWS LEROY

Debbie Mathews LeRoy is the owner and principal designer of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs in Nashville, Tennessee. She has been buying and selling antiques for more than three decades and is known for her philosophy that every room needs at least one antique.

Her Nashville showroom combines her interior design work with a curated collection of antique furniture, lighting, art, and accessories sourced both in the U.S. and abroad.

Find Debbie:

Website: https://www.debbiemathews.com/

Shop: https://www.shopdebbiemathews.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiemathewshome/

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