Antique Alchemy: Josef Faustin’s take on timeless interiors
The past never goes out of style, it’s just waiting for a new chapter. In this series, we dive into the world of vintage and antique interiors, where every piece of furniture and decor holds a story. Abigail Nováková with MAGPAPER explore czech boutiques, collectors, and design enthusiasts who breathe new life into forgotten treasures. Join us on a journey where history meets modern living, creating spaces with soul.
"I explore soulful places, art, and vintage treasures searching for new owners. I only take what truly captures my heart— and here’s the catch: sometimes, I don’t want to let it go." Josef Faustin
Vintage is more than just design it’s a tapestry of stories woven through time. What if an old mirror revealed a connection to Mozart? Or a chair carried traces of a long-lost love? In today’s conversation with Josef Faustin, we dive into treasure hunting strategies, extraordinary finds, and how to blend vintage with modern living while preserving its authenticity.
How did your journey begin, did you start as a passionate collector, or was it a well-thought-out concept from the start?
I started by searching for vintage treasures for myself. I had visions that I couldn’t find anywhere. So, I kept searching, and soon, my home became full. Eventually, it reached a point where I was discovering more than my small apartment could handle.
How would you describe your style in three words?
Warm, non-beige eclecticism.
Do you believe old objects carry energy? What’s the most fascinating item you’ve had that felt like it had a “soul”?
Once, I caught my reflection in a large, ornate gold mirror in a dusty antique shop window in a small town. I followed my own gaze inside and found a worn-out sticker on the back of the mirror with the name Artaria & Co. I felt it was fate and bought it on the spot.
I immediately started researching the label and discovered that Artaria & Co. was an 18th-century Viennese publisher of arts and maps, as well as an important music publisher that had printed Mozart’s compositions. Once I brought it home, I hung the mirror next to a miniature portrait of Emperor Joseph II, who was a great admirer of Mozart during his lifetime.
Where do you think are the best places to discover vintage gems—flea markets, auctions, or secret private storage spaces?
The best places are, ultimately, the hardest ones to source vintage treasures from. Going to a large, multicultural city means competing with many other vintage hunters. That, of course, affects pricing and availability. That’s why I prefer to go to the countryside abroad it takes more time but is worth it.
Have you ever found a piece with an unbelievable story? If so, what was it?
Because I personally pick up art, vintage furniture, and decor from their original owners, I often get unfortunately only believable stories with them.
Once, I went to collect a Relaxer leather rocking chair by Rosenthal.
Side note 1 – This chair is highly addictive. The owner told me he had received it as a birthday gift nearly 60 years ago from his ex-girlfriend, who worked as an assistant to Rosenthal’s general director.
Side note 2 – Yes, his current wife despised the chair and made sure the sale went through. Whenever I rock in that chair, I replay this whole scene in my head.
Do you have a piece at home that you’re most proud of? How did you discover it?
I’m most proud of a painting that arrived at my doorstep as a package. Twice, it got lost in transit from abroad, and at one point, I was informed it had been damaged. I had already mentally written it off. But after a six-month postal odyssey, it finally arrived—completely intact. The painting depicts part of the scene from The Triumphal Procession of Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg.
When blending vintage with a modern interior, what’s the key to making it look effortless?
No trick can replace intuition. But the key is strong contrast, a well-balanced mix of vintage and new, a diverse yet thoughtful combination of materials, and enough neutrality in the space.
When buying a vintage piece, what are the three main questions we should ask ourselves before taking it home?
Is it too expensive? Is it too cheap? Will it become tacky in ten years?
Do you have a secret vintage guilty pleasure—something others might consider kitsch, but you love?
What is kitsch, really? I like to view it in the context of time, place, and purpose. A 200-year-old item is something we might classify as beautiful antique craftsmanship today—but in its own era, it could have been the peak of kitsch. And the opposite is also true. Change its setting and purpose, and suddenly, what once seemed like kitsch becomes something else entirely.
That’s why I love reimagining kitsch—seeing it in a different time, for a different purpose, in a different place.
