Vintage Contessa & Times Past
We are buyers first
Our long-standing presence across multiple luxury categories—fine watches, luxury handbags, designer and signed jewelry, rare coins, gold, and silver—allows us to operate with a breadth few firms can match. This diversified expertise enables us to accurately value assets across markets and confidently step in when others cannot.
When clients sell to us, they value:
A Legacy of Trust
Luxury, to us, is not transactional. It is a relationship—built over time, protected by integrity, and strengthened through experience. Our clients don’t just sell to us once. They come back—because trust compounds.
The Man Behind Wearable Wealth
Rob Chramosta is the market authority behind Vintage Contessa & Times Past—the strategist, evaluator, and advisor redefining luxury as an asset.
Known as an Expert in Wearable Wealth & Legacy Pieces, Rob evaluates luxury through the lens of:
- Long-term value
- Market timing
- Global demand
- Risk management and discipline
He advises clients on:
- Fine watches
- Gold and silver
- Rare coins
- Luxury handbags
- Designer and signed jewelry
Rob’s philosophy is simple but rare:
Not all luxury is created equal.
His early immersion in coins, metals, and watches shaped a lifetime approach rooted in fundamentals—not hype. Today, he is widely respected for his ability to identify true value, guide smart buying decisions, and protect clients from overpaying or selling too soon. In media and client conversations alike, Rob serves as the voice of discipline—explaining:
- Why value differs between similar pieces
- How smart buyers think about luxury today
- When patience matters more than action
- How luxury fits into legacy planning
Rob’s passion for skiing, fishing, travel, and storytelling brings warmth and accessibility to his expertise—making complex markets understandable and human. Rob defines the value. The Contessa defines the life around it. Together, they specialize in wearable wealth—luxury you can enjoy and pass down.
The Contessa — Style, Experience & Living Luxuriously
Donae Cangelosi Chramosta—affectionately known as The Contessa—is the style, lifestyle, and experience authority behind Vintage Contessa & Times Past.
A Houston-based philanthropist and award-winning businesswoman, Donae spent 22 years leading her family’s marble, granite, and tile business before founding The Vintage Contessa in 2011. Her passion for timeless style and authentic luxury later merged with her husband Rob’s business to create Vintage Contessa & Times Past, now recognized globally for its integrity, expertise, and distinctive point of view.
For Donae, luxury is not about excess—it is about living beautifully, intentionally, and well.
Her expertise lies in understanding how luxury fits into real life:
- What to buy and wear now—and why it endures
- How to build a wardrobe that travels, layers, and lasts
- How to shop with confidence, discernment, and value
- How to live luxuriously without pretense
The Vintage Contessa showroom is a direct reflection of Donae’s style—warm, inviting, layered, and personal. It is designed to feel less like a store and more like a gathering place, where clients are welcomed by appointment to explore exceptional pieces, have meaningful conversations, and connect over shared appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship. Beyond the showroom, Chalet Contessa serves as an extension of this philosophy—an immersive opportunity to experience life, luxury, and legacy in a setting designed for connection. Through intimate gatherings, celebrations, and curated moments, Chalet Contessa brings the brand’s values to life, offering a place where luxury is not just admired, but lived. Donae is widely recognized for her influence and leadership, with honors including:
- Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business
- Woman of Distinction
- Woman of Substance
- Houston’s Most Creative & Most Stylish
- Aggie 100 & Aggie Leader
She is also a published writer, podcaster, public speaker, children’s book author, and dedicated philanthropist, known for her gift of “friend-raising”—bringing people together around meaningful causes, shared values, and beautiful experiences. At her core, Donae is a devoted wife to Rob and proud mother to their daughter Bella. Everything she creates—whether in business, philanthropy, or life—is grounded in authenticity, generosity, and the belief that luxury is meant to be enjoyed and shared.