If you’ve ever wandered around Gumpendorfer Straße, just opposite Café Sperl, you might have noticed the understated yet magnetic glow of Lichterloh. It’s one of those places that quietly invites you inside, and once you’re in—you kind of don’t want to leave. Vintage lovers, this is your haven.
Lichterloh (officially Lichterloh KunsthandelsgesmbH) isn’t small. The showroom spans over 400 m² in the 6th district; a generous space filled with curated furniture and décor from the 19th to mid‑20th centuries—Austrian and international design alike. Think Art Deco, Jugendstil, Mid‑Century Modern. Huge range. You’ll see elegant curved wood, brass accents, lamps with personality, furniture pieces with compelling imperfections.
Opening times are modest but generous enough: Tuesday through Friday, 1‑6 pm; on Saturdays from 11 am until about 3:30 pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly. If you drop by on a weekday afternoon, you get more breathing room—more time to study details, test lamps, check finishes, linger among the shadows and light.
What really strikes you about Lichterloh is the dialogue between the old and the restored. Many pieces are cleaned up, polished, rewired where needed—but not sanitized. The scratches, the patinas, tiny inconsistencies remain, because those are the marks of life. I saw an armchair once with a tiny patch of early upholstery still intact; a mirror whose gilded frame bore small dings—all of which made them feel more alive, more real.
You’ll find treasures at all scales. A small side table with teak legs, maybe just the right height; or a statement wardrobe with lacquered doors; vintage lighting, porcelain pieces, rugs, art pieces, occasional mirrors hung so they reflect slanted light off cobblestones outside. Even accessories—candlesticks, glassware, odd ceramic bits—fill corners. It’s dense without being overwhelming. You lean in; you discover.
Staff at Lichterloh are knowledgeable, helpful, but not pushy. Ask about origin, or material, or what piece might suit your space—they’ll talk you through it. Because here it matters: wood grain, joinery, old screws, restored joints. You feel they care not just about what looks good, but what lasts.
Prices? They range. Some pieces feel like investment—furniture that colors a whole room. Others are smaller discoveries: a lamp, a bowl, something that catches your heart more than your budget. But in all cases, you get craftsmanship, character, and a piece with history.
If you like your home to be a conversation between now and then, Lichterloh delivers. It’s not one of those sleek, minimal vintage shops where everything is perfect. It’s lived‑in style, imperfect beauty, personality. It’s the kind of place where you leave with something meaningful—or at least with ideas and inspiration.
So next time you have a free hour, make your way to Lichterloh. Walk around Opera or Naschmarkt, grab coffee, then drop in. Light filters through tall windows, wood smells faintly waxed, glass glimmers. You might leave with a lamp or a mirror—or even just the soft satisfaction of a good find.
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