I’m Lauren, the founder of Away Antiquing.
I grew up surrounded by objects made with care- some handmade by family, others collected slowly over time and I learned early that furniture and decorative arts carry stories just as much as books do. Long before Away Antiquing had a name, I was the person friends asked to join them antiquing, museum hopping, or wandering historic streets, translating what we were seeing into something legible and exciting rather than overwhelming.
My work today sits at the intersection of decorative arts research, storytelling, and guided experience. I study how objects travel across borders, generations, and homes and how English and French traditions shaped early American interiors in ways we still live with today. That research quietly informs every tour, consultation, and recommendation I offer.
But just as important as scholarship is how we experience these objects: slowly, with permission to ask questions, and with space to form your own taste.
Away Antiquing is guided by a simple belief:
You don’t need expertise to belong here…. only curiosity.
Whether we’re standing in a gallery, walking a historic street, or reviewing pieces virtually, my role is not to impress you with information. It’s to help you see more clearly, feel more confident, and enjoy the process of discovering what resonates with you.
That means:
Private, unhurried experiences
Honest conversations with dealers and craftspeople
Context without condescension
Education that builds confidence, not pressure
Antiques are not about perfection or pedigree. They’re about connection - to craftsmanship, history, and the homes we’re shaping now.
If you’ve ever felt: drawn to antiques but unsure where to begin or ready to deepen a relationship you already have with objects and interiors you’re in the right place.
You’re allowed to be curious before you’re confident.
I’d love to explore alongside you.
Away Antiquing offers a private, thoughtfully curated experience that makes antiquing feel approachable and rewarding. From advance planning to expert guidance and DC-area delivery coordination, we handle the details so you can enjoy the discovery.
In-Person Antique Tours & Education
Our in-person tours are designed to be approachable, educational, and genuinely fun—creating space to learn, ask questions, and enjoy the thrill of the hunt alongside trusted guidance. While we primarily support private groups of 1-4 we also enjoy curating experiences for birthdays, celebrations or companies.
Private Gallery Time- have the shop to yourself
Hands on Education- leave with new confidence
Curated tour routes to your unique taste & goals
Add-on experiences to local cafes, shops or wineries
Fun surprises for you to take home
Virtual Collecting & Design Consultations
Our virtual consultations provide one-on-one collecting and design guidance, helping you make informed decisions about antiques from wherever you are. You’ll leave with a treasure map marking much more than one X on the spot.
One-on-one virtual sessions tailored to your collecting or design questions
Object review & sourcing guidance for pieces you’re considering or searching for
Education on period, proportion, and materials to sharpen your eye
Strategic next steps for building or refining a collection with intention
A bespoke “treasure map” to guide confident decisions beyond our session
Bespoke Travel Planning
Our bespoke travel planning provides custom itineraries and curated maps, guiding how you move, wander, and discover. You’ll leave with a treasure map that invites exploration beyond the expected.
Custom itineraries and curated maps designed around how you like to explore
Cultural and neighborhood guidance beyond the typical highlights
“Dream Day” plans to follow to fully unplug and experience hidden gems
Flexible plans that invite wandering, discovery, and spontaneity
A bespoke “treasure map” guiding meaningful experiences & destinations
Why “Away Antiquing”
The name Away Antiquing is intentional.
It’s about stepping away from the noise — the rush, the rules, the fear of getting it wrong — and entering a slower way of looking. A way that allows for wandering, wondering, and delight.
Sometimes that looks like a private afternoon in a local antiques district. Sometimes it’s planning a collecting-focused trip abroad. Sometimes it’s a quiet virtual conversation about a single piece you can’t stop thinking about.
Wherever you are, Away Antiquing meets you there.
