Antique Alchemy: Inside Lavish Studio with Vladimíra Ilavská
Every piece carries a past. Sometimes it’s elegant, sometimes playful — but always real. At Lavish, old objects aren’t afraid to shine again. Each one is handpicked with care and intuition by Vladimíra Ilavská, whose eye for character turns vintage into a statement.
Forget trends. At Lavish, it’s all about pieces with a pulse. Vladimíra Ilavská doesn’t just collect vintage — she tracks down stories wrapped in wood, velvet, and Murano glass.
“I’ve always been drawn to the kind of objects that make you stop, feel something, remember something,” she says.
What started as a personal obsession soon grew into a fully-fledged concept. From sourcing a few finds for her own apartment to running two destination-worthy showrooms in Bratislava and Prague, Vladimíra has shaped a design language that’s equal parts bold, soulful, and unmistakably her own.
Lighting, in particular, has become one of her signature obsessions.
“I’ve probably become a collector of lights without even realizing it — lamps, chandeliers, Murano glass in all shapes and colours. I could easily live in a house made entirely of glow.”
“Vintage should work like a solitaire,” she explains. “Not too much, but just enough to carry the whole room.”
And when you add a sofa once smuggled out of Sicily at dawn to avoid the local vintage mafia — well, you know Lavish is not your average furniture store.
How did your journey begin — were you a passionate collector, or was it a well-thought-out concept from the start?
I’d say both are true. Before opening the Lavish studio, I was sourcing and selecting vintage pieces for our home — gradually, I began doing it for friends too. I went to flea markets purely out of interest, even abroad. I always had piles of Italian and French interior design magazines at home and admired vintage statement pieces.
Later, while on maternity leave and thinking about what direction to take in life, I felt the need for change. The first idea that came to mind was to start importing vintage furniture from abroad — at the time, I couldn’t find the kind of pieces I loved in Slovakia or the Czech Republic.
It began as a passion, and I turned that passion into my profession. The concept wasn’t 100% planned from the start — it evolved naturally over time. But one thing I always knew was that I wanted to have a physical store where customers could come, see the pieces, try them out, and touch them.
How would you describe your style in three words?
Bold, colorful, and full of interesting shapes and textures.
Do you believe old pieces carry energy? What’s the most soulful or meaningful item you’ve had?
I’m more of a visual person, so I always observe the patina on a piece as a kind of signature of its history. These “wrinkles of time,” in my opinion, are what give vintage pieces their character and soul. And I only ever select furniture that carries a positive energy!
Where do you think are the best places to find vintage gems — flea markets, auctions, or secret storage spaces?
Treasures can be found anywhere — sometimes smaller, sometimes bigger. But my most valuable sources are definitely my suppliers. These are contacts that have been built over years and based on mutual trust. Thanks to them, I often get access to new pieces before other buyers — long before they ever appear online or on social media. The fact is, many of my suppliers don’t even have websites or social profiles.
Have you ever found a piece with an incredible story behind it?
I always try to learn where each piece comes from and what its story is. Once, I bought a 1950s sofa from Sicily. The suppliers told me they had to hide from the Sicilian vintage mafia while picking it up. They had to collect the piece at dawn, as non-Sicilian dealers weren’t exactly welcome when showing up for furniture the locals believed was “rightfully theirs.” It felt completely surreal to me.
Is there a piece in your own home you’re especially proud of? How did you find it?
Since I’ve been building my personal collection at home over the years, it’s hard to pick just one piece. But the first thing that comes to mind is a walnut sideboard from the 1970s that sits in our living room. Every time I walk past it, I feel the urge to touch it. And then there’s the chandelier in our bathroom by the Italian designer Angelo Lelli. I found both pieces in my suppliers’ warehouses.
When blending vintage with modern interiors, what’s the secret to making it look natural?
Vintage furniture works wonderfully when mixed with contemporary pieces. It’s not about antique, carved items that need to be forced into a space. Mid-century design has been coming back for years, even in today’s new production.
Personally, I think vintage should act as a statement piece — a solitaire. Not too much. It also depends on the space: an old-town apartment can handle more vintage, while a new-build flat may only need two or three strong items to define the whole atmosphere.
When buying a vintage piece, what are the three key questions we should ask ourselves before taking it home?
Will I still love it in a few years? What material is it made of? And most importantly — touch it, feel it, sit in it. You really have to experience the piece. I ask myself the same questions when buying new furniture too.
Do you have a vintage “guilty pleasure” — something others might consider kitsch, but you secretly love?
For me, it’s definitely lighting. I’m obsessed with lamps, chandeliers, Murano glass in all shapes and colours. It brings me joy. When we turn on all the lights at home, it feels almost like a chapel.
There’s a thin line between an extravagant piece and kitsch. But I love bold things — I’m definitely not a minimalist. And good kitsch often comes with a wink of humor. A piece that makes you smile? That’s priceless.
We hope you enjoyed the second edition of our Antique Alchemy series. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories, beautiful interiors, and vintage magic!
Follow Lavish and explore their world full of light, textures, and character on Instagram: @lavish_vintage_studio
