Inspiring Design: Five minutes with Sasha Bikoff

Up-and-coming interior designer Sasha Bikoff dedicated her time at the September Brimfield antique shows scouting fall decor and design trends. Bikoff was so inspired she created an eBay Collective store so shoppers can experience some of the Brimfield shopping experience without leaving home. Recently, Bikoff shared her fresh perspectives with Antique Trader.

Antique Trader (AT): Tell us about yourself and your history. Who has inspired you most? 

Sasha Bikoff (SB): Growing up in New York, I knew I wanted to be in a creative profession but always thought I would wind up in the contemporary art world. I studied art history and after college, got a job working at Gagosian. While I was working there, I was offered my first interior design project (decorating my mom’s apartment), and it became clear to me that this was what I wanted to do full-time. Six years later, I couldn’t be happier that I switched careers!

I’m also inspired by the digital marketplace, and selling online. I was recently at Brimfield Antique Fair identifying trends for a special report on eBay Collective, bridging a “live” shopping experience with a digital one. Being involved with eBay is a great way to broaden my reach and potential buyer base – they have 171 million active buyers. Also, because eBay Collective has a curated inventory of furniture, antiques, contemporary design and fine art, it really sets apart the dealers who are on the platform, like me.

More than people, though I’m inspired by places. I lived in Paris for a while and found that profoundly inspiring. It’s one of my favorite places. The combination of the fashion, the architecture, the markets. I also get a lot of inspiration from nature, especially from the beach, which guides a lot of my color choices when I’m designing a space.

AT: What are some of your favorite sources of inventory for your eBay Collective store? 

SB: I gravitate towards antiques more often than super modern pieces, which I often find lack character. That’s one of the many reasons I love working with eBay. Investing in categories including antiques and art has always been a part of their roots, so the quality is extremely high. On eBay, you can shop the best products from the comfort of your home.

One of my favorite places to find antiques is the Brimfield Antique Fair, which happens three times a year in May, July and September. This year I found so many great pieces. There were tons of cool Lucite furnishings, and sellers proved that it’s cool to combine metals with wood. I love a mix of contemporary and retro, and antique markets are a great place to find that. I curated a special store on eBay Collective [https://ebay.to/2A583Vt] based on the trends I spotted at Brimfield this year, so you can shop at home instead of waiting until May! [This store offers items from many other dealers and designers.]

AT: What are some types of classic pieces that you see in the field and think: “This can’t lose.” Why?

SB: I love fun designer label pieces. At Brimfield, I couldn’t get enough of the Louis Vuitton trunks, Fendi umbrellas, and even Goyard dog bowls. These pieces stand the test of time and can add value to your space. They never go out of style. You can find plenty of examples on eBay Collective.

AT: What are some of your favorite recent discoveries? 

SB: Brimfield is an amazing destination for vintage glassware, which I love. My favorites are Carnival glass, Fenton, and Murano, and I always tell clients to mix and match rather than getting a full set. If you spend enough time looking around, you will find pieces that complement each other without being matchy.

AT: What is one thing that you regret not buying when you had the chance?

SB: It’s always something totally unexpected that I look back on and regret not snatching up. This year I saw some amazing carousel ponies! It’s hard to say how I could use them, but they’ve been stuck in my mind. There were also some amazing spiral snail chairs. You just never know.

AT: What items do you see gaining in popularity? What do you see falling out of favor? 

SB: My clients are asking more and more for special antique pieces rather than going the boring commercial route. Sometimes replacing a basic piece with a beautiful antique rug or vase is enough to totally transform a room. And it makes my job a lot more fun!

Visit Sasha Bikoff’s eBay Collective store online at https://ebay.to/2Pa40Q6. Here, you will find her own fresh picks from the Fall Brimfield Antiques Fair, plus other select items. 

This article was originally published in Antique Trader magazine. If you like what you’ve read here, consider subscribing to the print or digital versions of Antique Trader it’s available for $26 per year (print) or $20 per year (digital) to receive 24 issues.
Learn more about subscribing>>>