Antique Alchemy: Curated by Time and the Women Behind Eterle
Three women, three generations, one enduring bond. Eterle is more than a vintage furniture rental and a curated selection of soulful objects – it’s the vision of Nika Puci, Lia Frouzová and their mother and grandmother Zdeňka Kuncová, who turned their family’s passion into functional beauty.
“We’re deeply connected to the past, yet we think about the future. We believe in the beauty of things that have stood the test of time – and we want to give them another chance to shine.”
The roots of Eterle reach back generations. Their great-grandmother kept a box in the attic labeled “strings too short to be used.” Their grandmother adored blue onion porcelain and oil lamps. Their mother, a collector with grand style, has always had a soft spot for vases and delicate porcelain pieces. When they renovated their family home and things began to pile up, throwing anything away was out of the question. “We didn’t want to sell – so we started lending,” they say . That’s how Eterle was born ten years ago: a project that now includes a dedicated e-shop, beloved Eterle Vintage Markets, and a rental collection of rare treasures for weddings, films, and special events – all curated with feminine taste, storytelling, and charm.
How did your journey begin – were you passionate collectors, or was it a well-thought-out concept from the start?
I wouldn’t say we were particularly strategic at first. Founding the rental studio was more of an impulsive (and slightly desperate) idea – but rooted in a deep love of collecting. Our family has been hoarding things for generations, though the focus always shifts. My great-grandmother once had a neatly labeled box in her attic titled: Strings too short to be useful. My grandmother loved blue onion china and oil lamps. And my mother is a maximalist through and through – she collects anything and everything, though her favorite is probably porcelain and vases. Over time, we simply ran out of space. While renovating the house, we faced the classic question: what now? Throwing anything away was never an option. Selling didn’t feel right either. Around the same time, I was planning my wedding and realized there weren’t any rental options for vintage furniture or decor. This was over 10 years ago. So the idea of a rental studio was born. Later, during the pandemic when weddings and events stopped happening, we started experimenting with selling pieces. We realized that selling actually made space to buy more. That’s when our Instagram sales began – followed by the launch of our e-shop and eventually our Eterle Vintage Markets.
“Three generations of women, bound by stories, beauty, and objects that carry time with grace.”
How would you describe your style in three words?
If you mean our general aesthetic, then: timeless, diverse, personal.
Do you believe old things carry energy? What’s the most soulful piece you’ve ever had?
¨¨Maybe… an old tandem bicycle – it has two souls by definition! But honestly, I don’t really buy into the romantic idea that, say, a chair from a quarrelsome household will bring negative energy into your happy home and cause a divorce. That said, high-quality vintage items definitely have their own charm. The signs of use give them character – and that’s what makes them soulful.
In your opinion, where’s the best place to find vintage treasures – flea markets, auctions, or private warehouses?
We don’t shy away from anything, but we especially love direct contact with people selling family pieces – those often come with stories. We’re also dying to go vintage-hunting abroad… if only we had the time.
Have you ever discovered a piece with a truly incredible story behind it?
Yes – a very special baroque salon set from our rental collection. Our grandmother actually bought it when she was a child! Her uncle worked as a butler at the Turkish embassy in Prague, and during dinner, he mentioned the ambassador was moving and selling off three sets of furniture.
Without telling anyone, my grandmother showed up the next day and offered to buy one. She even offered her entire yearly allowance. The ambassador laughed and said no one could offer more than the annual allowance of a 15-year-old girl – not knowing the amount. He sold it to her. The set has survived to this day and is now a part of our studio.
Is there a piece in your home you’re especially proud of? How did you find it?
Right now, probably the Wink 111 chair by Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita – made in 1980 for Cassina. It’s adjustable, can be transformed into a chaise longue, and has these adorable Mickey Mouse-style ears. It was even exhibited at MoMA. More importantly, it’s incredibly comfortable – hands down our favorite piece of furniture.
What’s your trick for combining vintage with modern interiors in a natural way?
Good question – but I’m not sure there’s a trick. I just follow my instinct. Personally, I love mixing old and new. It balances out the space – old furniture doesn’t feel like a museum, and new furniture doesn’t look like a sterile showroom. Vintage isn’t a monolith – it depends which era you’re using. And please avoid replicas. For modern pieces, go for quality, well-designed pieces. Then just balance everything: shapes, colors, proportions...
“Vintage isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about creating stories for the future.”
When buying a vintage item, what are three key questions we should ask ourselves before bringing it home?
I’m probably not the most practical buyer. First, the item has to grab me – I need to fall in love with it. Then I think about whether it fits my space, whether it works with my existing furniture, and finally whether I can actually afford it.
Honestly, I ask the same things whether I’m buying vintage or new. With older pieces, though, it’s extra important to check the condition – make sure there’s no active woodworm or mold.
Do you have a secret vintage guilty pleasure – something others might call kitsch, but you secretly love?
I’m afraid not! I’m quite conservative – I love clean lines and neutral tones.
