Zooey Deschanel's home is not like the other girls'. It fittingly pays homage to an actress who has made her quirky public persona a huge part of her career – and part of this includes her love for non-traditional design. Most recently, she debuted a new element of her unorthodox take on decorating: A vintage phone collection.
In a jokey Instagram reel, the actress quoted the popular meme format 'I never see you at the club' with the response 'Yeah, well, I don't see you collecting obsolete phones.' The accompanying video features Deschanel dancing with an antique dial phone and a blocky 90s phone. Though the tone of the video was in jest, it's clear that the phones add an interesting edge to the actress's living room decor. They are proudly featured on her open-concept shelves alongside coffee table books, vases, and other hidden decorative objects.
Deschanel's choice of vintage phones as decor is right in line with interior design trends. In their latest trend report, independent sellers marketplace Etsy reports that we're entering an 'Heirloom Era' for 2025. The experts state: 'In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, there’s something undeniably magical about the things that stick around. Enter the Heirloom Era, where timeless treasures and vintage-inspired finds are stealing the spotlight. Whether it’s hand-embroidered napkins, jewelry steeped in history, or patterned porcelain dishes that channel a certain fictional pasta-making grandma, this trend celebrates meaningful gifts meant to be passed down (or just looked at adoringly).'
Shop the look
For a more affordable vintage option, this '70s rotary phone comes at the right price. It's so beautiful and modern with striking colors.
This tan and gold vintage phone is perfect for adding some elegance to your shelves. It's beautiful, bold, and would look beautiful on open-concept shelves.
For a more modern look, this 1970s novelty piece is such a stylish way to bring a pop of color into your home. This would look really interesting in a light colored space.
Though decorating with antiques is currently popular, the beauty of this 'trend' is that it will always remain in style. Antique and vintage pieces bring a unique sense of character to any space. This addition of personality is never off trend. These pieces that are built to last for centuries will be in style for centuries.
To decorate with vintage and antique pieces in your home, I recommend mixing older pieces with newer styles. There is nothing more gorgeous than a transitional home that seamlessly combines design styles, integrating the modern with the vintage and mixing a variety of decor schemes.
Though you might not start collecting vintage phones, Zooey Deschanel's interest is a reminder that sometimes, design ideas can come in the least expected of places. Integrating something old is never a bad idea.
