Free shipping within Switzerland
Free shipping within Switzerland
Your questions, answered with clarity. No gatekeeping, ever!
(Note: This is our perspective and may differ from the views of designers and experts, who may have a different view.)
An antique is typically defined as an item over 100 years old, while vintage generally refers to items that are around 20–30 years old, up to 99 years old. That said, definitions can vary — we lean on age, craftsmanship, and cultural value when we use these terms.
Handle them with gentleness. For everyday care, we simply dust lightly — no commercial cleaners, polishes, or waxes, as these can strip patinas or damage the item. If an item needs attention, we work with specialist restorers or skilled carpenters.
Our rugs, for instance, are always cleaned and restored by rug professionals — never dry cleaners. If you want your pieces to retain both value and character, leave restoration to the experts.
If it’s for your home or workspace — buy what brings you joy.
If you’re thinking investment, we find that rare pottery, artwork, rugs, and well-preserved furniture from known design periods (like Art Deco, which is currently popular again) tend to hold value.
That said, this is simply our opinion — if you’re investing seriously, we recommend consulting an expert.
Absolutely. These pieces anchor a space, adding history, texture, and conversation. Even a single item—a vase, a candlestick, or a chair—can elevate a room. Antiques and vintage pieces carry their own unique stories, making them great conversation starters and adding depth and meaning to your home. We also love that incorporating antique and vintage items supports sustainable interiors. For drama, antique lighting stands out, especially candelabras and sculptural chandeliers—they’re true showstoppers.
A question we love. The short answer: start with 1-2 items.
Even a single vintage lamp or an old lithograph can add that layered, designer feel. Many antiques have clean lines or timeless shapes that fit seamlessly into modern spaces. Trust your eye — if it feels right, it usually is.
We love a mix of styles – it often creates a sophisticated interior.
Antique or vintage buying can feel daunting. Start with what you love, and start small.
Bookshelf objects are great (and low risk), as are vintage textiles. We’ve always believed: if it brings you joy and fits your space, it’s the right piece. Your interior style will evolve with time, and each piece adds to your personal story.
We don’t believe you can put a wrong foot, as long as you buy what you love, within the budget you have.
Aside from MONA & Co., of course 😉 — we love a good antique market and flea market browse. If you have the eye and the time, they can be treasure troves.
Online stores are great too — just do a bit of research first. If you’re unsure, a physical store lets you experience the piece in person. Small local stores often have beautiful, one-of-a-kind finds and can also sometimes have better prices.
That’s a great question. To us, it’s all part of the same story.
The MONA & Co. Handmade is about legacy, craftsmanship, and beauty. Handmade objects, when thoughtfully created using traditional methods, belong in that world. We believe in slow-made products. It’s not just luxury, it’s your legacy.
We’re not here for mass-produced trends — we’re here for pieces that matter.
Handknotted: Made by individually tying knots by hand onto a warp, creating a highly detailed and durable rug. Best suited for living rooms, where the craftsmanship of the carpet can be showcased. Silk rugs are especially luxe and timeless.
Handloomed: Woven on a loom by hand without knots, resulting in a smooth texture. Best suited for bedrooms and offices. However, important to ensure that the materials are soft especially and we like pure wool.
Flat Weave: Made by interlacing warp and weft yarns without any pile, resulting in a thin and durable rug. Best suited for hallways and kitchens. These also make chic stair runners.
Cut Pile: Made by cutting yarn loops to create upright fibers with a soft, plush texture. Best suited for bedrooms and living rooms.
Loop Pile: Made from uncut yarn loops, creating a textured and durable surface ideal for high-traffic areas. Best suited for staircases, hallways, and playrooms, thanks to its durability, ability to hide stains, and low maintenance requirements.
Having said the above, our preference is always natural materials such as wool and pure silk. We like their timeless elegance. We also do not have any rules for which rug goes where – it depends on the use of the space and what we simply like!
Vintage and antique pieces make excellent statement items or accessories. Consider what role you want the piece to play in your space—should it be a subtle accent or a bold, attention-grabbing feature? This will help guide your choice of size, style, and type of object to complement your contemporary home.
For inspiration, we recommend visiting our Instagram page, where we showcase object pairings in a variety of styles.
You can often identify a piece’s origin by its style and design features:
English: Sturdy and restrained, usually made of dark wood with simple lines, and occasionally featuring Gothic ornamentation.
French: Ornate and elegant, often featuring gilding, curves, and decorative details, with references to Rococo and Louis styles.
Italian: Bold and grand, characterised by intricate carving, inlaid wood and stones, and dramatic Renaissance or Baroque motifs.
Our MONA & Co. handmade (Label) line is crafted in India by skilled artisans using sustainably sourced materials. We don’t create large stocks (avoiding wastage), we don’t mass-produce; each piece is made exclusively for you, supporting slow making that celebrates and sustains the maker’s skills and knowledge.
We create timeless, thoughtful pieces that respect the environment, showing that legacy —slow-made, handcrafted, elegant, and sustainable—is the true luxury and it can come at a fair price, while actively supporting artisans and preserving traditional crafts in a modern world.