Women in Design: A Conversation with Margaret Schwartz and Tori Jones

About Margaret:

Margaret Schwartz is the founder of Modern Antiquarian, a curated destination for European and garden antiques reimagined for modern living. With a career that began at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Schwartz developed an early appreciation for interiors that would later evolve into a deep passion for antiques.

Her path into the world of antiques was anything but traditional. What started as a curiosity quickly became a calling after a sourcing trip to England, where she discovered both the thrill of the hunt and the storytelling embedded in each piece. That experience ultimately led her to acquire The Summer House, a Connecticut-based antiques and home design store, where she refined her signature approach, layering old and new to create spaces that feel both timeless and personal.

In 2018, Schwartz launched Modern Antiquarian, shifting her focus fully to sourcing distinctive pieces across Europe. Known for her discerning eye and strong relationships with international dealers, she specializes in building thoughtful, heritage-driven collections for clients, with a particular affinity for Swedish antiques and pieces rich in patina and character.

Today, through her presence at the New York Design Center’s Gallery at 200 Lex, Schwartz continues to champion a more approachable, conversational view of antiques, one that encourages designers and collectors alike to embrace the beauty of mixing eras and creating homes that feel curated, lived-in, and deeply personal.

About Tori:

Tori Jones Studio specializes in exceptional antiques, fine art, and beautifully crafted homewares by independent artisans. Each piece in her lovingly selected and ever-evolving collection reflects her commitment to beauty, quality, artistry, and sophistication— without pretense.

Fascinated since her childhood by art, antiques, and the meaning of home, Tori’s dream was as much about the hunt to discover storied objects as sharing– and celebrating– these finds with others. Connection and experience, not just design. Her eponymous retail business brings together the pieces, places, makers, and artists she loves most. A graduate of Columbia University, where she studied Art History, Tori worked for more than a decade at interiors brands like domino, Veranda, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and textile company Schumacher, gaining well-rounded experience as an editor, stylist, art director, merchandiser, decorator, and creative lead. These roles laid the groundwork for a brand of her own.

The studio offers a thoughtfully curated collection of beautiful discoveries for the home that blends form and function, character and soul. Our mission is to bring together goods from around the world—from the humble and hand-hewn to the elegant and polished—that delight, spark creativity, and last for generations.