Images via Europe2You

The collectors behind Budapest-based Europe2You might just have the coolest jobs ever: scouring Europe for home and garden antiques that epitomize Old World allure and repurposing (most of them) for modern-day use. It goes without saying that we had to learn more.

Here, co-founder Stacy Borocz fills us in on Europe2You’s inspiration, how to score great finds, and what it’s like to supply Vogue with a gift for Anna Wintour.

What inspired you to begin Europe2You?
Europe, Europe, Europe…The word alone conjures up everything intrinsically beautiful – whether art, architecture, or landscape. The continent is steeped with history, and an aesthetic that has yet to be matched but desired by many. Our goal at Europe2You is to bring a piece of that allure back to the American consumer.

What types of places are “best bets” in scoring a great piece?
We are regulars to the antique fairs, brocantes, and markets all over Europe, but often a simple tip about an abandoned warehouse, an old factory, or a grand hotel closing down leads us to a new an unexpected adventure!

What do you take into account when selecting a piece?
We always look for finds that fit our aesthetic no matter the country we are in. Clean lines and classic construction are always important, as is value, quality, and condition.

Any pieces you’ve had an especially tough time parting with?
Yes, we were out of stock on a set of antique terra cotta plates that Vogue called in for a photo shoot. The only ones available were from our personal collection, so of course we had to send them in. After the shoot, the team at Vogue asked to purchase them as a special gift for Anna Wintour. Who could refuse that?

Your home must be amazing. What’s the coolest piece you’ve ever kept for yourself?
Our kitchen boasts a 150-drawer apothecary unit complete with enamel latin labels and porcelain knobs. It was culled in its entirety from a Hungarian pharmacy built in the mid-1800s. The bottom of the drawers are all signed and dated by the various apprentices who trained there.

Looking for your own piece of Europe? Check out our Vintage & Luxuries: Europe2You Boutique, opening Saturday, July 28, at 11AM ET.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

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