See How this Miami-Based Vintage Furniture Shop Owner Brings His Curation Home

Welcome to Room Envy, a series where we ask interesting people about a favorite room in their house. From minimalist living rooms to vibrant kitchens, we’re zeroing in on the best features of the most enviable rooms.

Located just one mile from his vintage furniture store, Primaried, Jonathan Sanchez-Obias’s second floor apartment in an original 1920s Art Deco building in Miami’s MiMo neighborhood (a.k.a. Miami Modern) is a reflection of his playful midcentury curation. Born and raised in South Miami, he began collecting vintage furniture after moving into his first college apartment. While working as a web and graphic designer, Jonathan continued to make trades and sell items to dealers over the years. Then, in 2020, he decided to transition his business into a full-time operation with the opening of Primaried Studio, which has since been named one of the best vintage stores in North America. 

For Jonathan, one of the determining factors while looking for the perfect rental last year was the flooring. “It has a huge impact on how furniture looks in a space. Vinyl tile and laminate flooring were deal breakers for me so it really narrowed down the options. Luckily this space has its original Florida pine floors.” The selling point for this particular unit was the northwest-facing windows in the living room. The sacrifice? Limited wall space, but Jonathan says this actually helped him to keep the space fairly paired down. Still, you might be wondering, how exactly does a furniture dealer with the eye and access to some of the most coveted pieces choose what to keep and what to sell? As Jonathan further explains, “I handpick and admire everything that goes through my showroom, so the things that I’ve decided to keep around hold even stronger value to me.”

Jonathan’s northwest-facing windows let the light in at sunset. Akari 55F lamp by Isamu Noguchi; Series 10 sofa by Brian Kane for Metropolitan, 1980s; Molded Plywood Chair by Peter Danko, 1980s; and Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo bookcase, 1970s

Photo: Jonathan Sanchez-Obias