About The Thrift Master

David Kean, AKA The Master of Luxury Thrifting moved to Los Angeles in the 1990’s to pursue an acting career when one day he realized instead of reading Backstage, he was perusing Architectural Digest and Veranda, so began his journey into the world of high-end furniture, antiques and a critical thrift shop addiction.

David went to work for Uniquities on Robertson Boulevard, a premiere Los Angeles consignment shop patronized by an A-list designer and celebrity clientele.  His eyes were opened to luxury second-hand market for everything home.   Any stigma of used furniture was quickly alleviated when Hollywood’s A-listers didn’t think twice about something being used, after all what are antiques?  Expensive used things.  Store consignments included luxury furniture by manufacturers such as J. Robert Scott, Rose Tarlow, Donghia, as well as tabletop items and accessories.  During these years David started consigning merchandise to the store as well as working there.  Armed with the ability to spot a piece of Baccarat or Flora Danica through the forest of junk, he’d spend every weekend at LA area antique malls, thrift shops, flea markets and garage sales looking for overlooked treasures.

A few years later David was recruited to work for a premier antique dealer and reproduction company on famed Melrose Place.   There David was taught about bespoke furniture manufacture.  The hands on experience with furniture finishing techniques, construction, and identifying period details only added to his thrifting skills.

For the past 25 years David has been mastering his thrifting skills and interior decoration sensibilities. David and has used his own skills to decorate his own homes.  His current home was featured on Apartment Therapy, a previous home was profiled in the Los Angeles Times.

In addition to being a master of thrifting David is a Beverly Hills-based Realtor.  His real estate and interior design advice has been featured in over 30 publications, including the LA Times, Investopedia, NY Times, Angeleno, and on HGTV.