Tell us a bit about yourself!

My name is Jacqueline Burrows and I am the founder of The Sleepy Flea – a destination for vintage and antique home décor, artwork, and accessories. I grew up in Richmond, Virginia but moved to New York City after college where I still reside today with my now husband and four-year-old daughter in the Upper East Side. The Sleepy Flea was born after I left an advertising career in the corporate world to try my hand at stay-at-home-mom life in the city. I found myself a bit bored during my daughter’s 3+ hour long naps – so I couldn’t help but start a business as a creative outlet in my spare time (hence the name The Sleepy Flea). I’m addicted to the “thrill of the hunt” and love scouring flea markets, estate sales, and antique malls for vintage pieces that speak to me. I post my latest finds on Instagram where I also have fun documenting many of my hunting adventures. I also bring my collections to select design markets throughout the year—most recently at the Fenimore Lane Design Summit at the Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT. This summer you can find me popping up at the Hampton Flea in August.

Jacqueline wears the Louisa Midi Dress in Tile Green/Ivory 

You have such a gift for finding treasures from the past “old new things” as you say — what sparked your love for vintage decor and design?

Growing up in Virginia had a big influence. There is so much history there with colonial estates that have stood the test of time. I’ve spent a lot of time browsing country estate sales and rural antique stores with my mom and sister in search of treasure. Travel is also a big influence. It was a trip to Paris at the end of 2022 that had me take a leap of faith and buy a bunch of things from “les puces” that I couldn’t imagine leaving behind. You can only fit so much in a Manhattan apartment—so I justified my decision with the rationale that I could always sell it later.

Mestiza New York celebrates heirloom style in fashion — how does collecting vintage pieces connect to the idea of timelessness in your own home and life?

Nothing says timelessness quite like incorporating pieces into your home today that were made decades or even centuries ago. Trends in fashion and home move so quickly it’s hard to keep up and you end up replacing things more often than you might need or want to. Shopping vintage helps you really hone your eye to find pieces that spark joy for you personally. When you focus on what suits you and your home instead of chasing the trends you will end up with timeless treasures that you will never tire of.

Do you have a favorite vintage piece that feels like your “signature”?

I appreciate a range of decorative styles, so I intentionally curate collections that are a mix—from art deco and midcentury to coastal and traditional. However, some signature pieces that I always love to pick-up include French opaline, vintage paintings, embroidered linens, and anything faux bamboo. My favorite find of all time (so far!) is an antique Sailor’s Valentine wrapped in marbled paper that I found on my annual family trip to mid-coast Maine.

We love how fashion and interiors often mirror each other — do you see any parallels between how you dress and how you decorate?

For me personally, it’s color and pattern which bring me joy. I love to dress in colorful prints and that’s reflected in the decorative styles I’m most drawn to. I love designer wallpapers and fabrics and keep a secret stash of remnants that I pick up at tag sales. I also like to mix contemporary and vintage pieces in both my home and wardrobe. Pairing something old with something new never fails!

What are your go-to wardrobe staples that feel like the “home decor” of your closet — timeless, beautifully made, meant to last?

I love a classic midi dress in a fun print that I can feel comfortable yet polished in. I tend to gravitate towards more classic styles like A-line dresses and fabrics that will last like cotton, silk, and wool. I have gotten into vintage belts and vintage jewelry which is easy to style with new clothing to make it feel unique to you and not right off the rack.

Follow along on Instagram @thesleepyflea and shop online at thesleepyflea.com

How do you think about collecting — whether it’s art, antiques, or clothing — as a form of self-expression?

In today’s world of influencer links and the “add to cart” mentality, it’s so important to learn what YOU actually like – not just what someone is telling you to like. Collecting is special because it helps define who you are as an individual. I’m always so interested to learn what other people collect (and love to help them hunt for pieces to add to their collections). It would be so boring if we all collected the same things. Plus, collections are great conversation starters when you invite people into your home—it’s what makes you interesting!

How do you educate buyers on the beauty of patina, wear, and story behind a piece?

Part of what I love about this business is researching the history of a piece. It’s part of the reason I don’t always sell things immediately after acquiring them. Pieces with a story—whether it’s where the item was found or how it was made—are so much more interesting than something sourced from a procurement warehouse. The patina and wear of an object is what helps add dimension and character to a home. Without these storied pieces, a space can feel a bit like a staged apartment or an airport lounge.

Do you have any tips for someone who’s new to buying vintage decor — especially online?

Buying vintage décor online is harder in my opinion because it’s trickier to convey the special patina and scale of a piece. If you have the opportunity while on vacation or on a road trip, try stopping into an antique store and take pictures of things that you like. Then you can search for similar styles or makers online. When shopping for vintage online it’s important to always ask about the condition of a piece since you can’t inspect it with your own eyes prior to purchase. You can ask the seller for a “condition report” or ask specific questions like “are there any chips or cracks?” (for porcelain) or “is it wobbly?” (for furniture).

What makes something feel worth keeping — or passing down?

The scarcity of an item or the story behind it are two things I would say make an item worth keeping or passing down. Something that is notoriously hard to find will retain value and be highly coveted. There is a sense of pride in sourcing something that no one else can easily find. The story behind a piece also makes it special. Whether it is the midcentury ice bucket that sat on your grandfather’s bar or a piece of artwork you sourced at a foreign flea market, an item’s story gives it some emotional value that makes it hard to part with.

We talk a lot at Mestiza about “making memories in your best pieces.” What’s a favorite memory tied to something vintage in your home or wardrobe?

I love that sentiment! It’s so true that we seek out special pieces for important moments in our life. My family loves to travel and I do a lot of my best sourcing while on vacation with them (when I can sneak away!). Last summer we went to Lyon, France for vacation (and to catch night two of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour) and I found a set of colorful oyster plates and opaline vases at the brocantes there that I will always associate with that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Which Mestiza pieces feel the most “vintage” to you?

The Havana Mini dress and Louisa Midi dress in Tile Green immediately take me to 1960s Palm Beach—a period I am always inspired by. The Scallopini dress and top remind me of the shell motifs that were popular in art deco design and architecture. The Etta Scallop Set and Bianca Bow Top also feel rooted in vintage silhouettes.

What do you love most about the Mestiza brand?

I love the emphasis on color and pattern that defines Mestiza’s collections. I also love many of the classic, feminine silhouettes of Mestiza pieces that are less prevalent in today’s modern fashion landscape. There is a mix of tradition but also innovation that makes Mestiza pieces special.

How do you feel when you wear Mestiza?

Mestiza’s colorful prints bring me joy and just make me feel happier when wearing them. Plus, the comfortable yet polished styles are suitable for the range of activities in my day, from school drop-off to antiquing to socializing and everything in between.