| In today's tough economy, buying antique furniture can | | | | antique furniture and it provides great contrast and a |
| be an attractive, economical and stylish option. In | | | | more contemporary feel. They use neutral colors on |
| antique furniture pieces were made with an attention | | | | walls and floors and love to mix high quality wood |
| to detail and workmanship not found in contemporary | | | | furniture with flea market finds, but always keep the |
| furniture. The wood used was selected specifically for | | | | importance of balance foremost in their minds. |
| its warmth and grain, adding to the piece's inherent | | | | Although many people shy away from the everyday |
| beauty. During certain periods, it was hand made, hand | | | | use of antiques, a great many interior designers prefer |
| carved, and painstakingly joined with dovetail joints. | | | | to use furniture with "good old bones" because it was |
| Any furniture made with as much care these days | | | | made to last. Take old cupboards or cabinets, having |
| could be prohibitively expensive. | | | | the original wavy glass, which gives it more character. |
| Antique furniture offers a buyer quality and value. More | | | | They are great to use for storing towels and soaps |
| and more people are shopping for antique furniture at | | | | and toiletries in a bathroom or dressing room. You can |
| antique stores, shows, auctions and estate sales | | | | also find a great antique picture frame and put a mirror |
| because they know they're getting value, along with | | | | in it to add interest to a wall. Re-inventing an antique |
| the charm and ambiance that an antique piece can | | | | can give it, or your room, a new life and can turn it into |
| add to their home. | | | | a one-of-a-kind show-stopper. |
| Besides actively looking for antique furniture to buy, | | | | The possibilities are endless...an old harvest table used |
| what should you do if you've inherited or been given a | | | | as a computer desk...it would look great with a laptop |
| long treasured family antique heirloom piece and your | | | | and retro desk lamp; several old wonderful leather |
| home is furnished in a contemporary style? Think | | | | suitcases as storage...they don't have to be hidden |
| about how you can keep it before you give it away or | | | | away...they're great for display on their own under an |
| sell it. Look around your home and find a place where | | | | end table in the bedroom or living room; a Chippendale |
| it can stand out. Even better, when you're shopping for | | | | breakfront with modern dining room furniture...the room |
| something special to fill an empty space, consider | | | | can take on a whole new look. |
| buying antique furniture first before buying something | | | | Create your own collection, one that represents your |
| new. | | | | personality. It's important to keep it interesting...just don't |
| If you change your thinking about buying antique | | | | overdo it...remember to always keep a balance. |
| furniture and look around at the many styles, you'll see | | | | Antique, vintage or retro furniture pieces do not have |
| they're not all stiff, straight-backed, stuffy or delicate | | | | to be expensive...take a look around. You may find a |
| pieces overdone with ornate carvings. But, instead | | | | great retro end table in a relative's basement or a |
| take note of some of them; Edwardian seating pieces, | | | | great chair that once belonged to your parents, Get it |
| for example...although they may retain some of the | | | | reupholstered in a neutral fabric with a bit of color in it |
| same characteristics of their Victorian predecessors, | | | | and it's very ''60s."! |
| like being overstuffed and oversized, they are certainly | | | | Also, by browsing through antique malls and flea |
| as comfortable as any contemporary easy chair. | | | | markets you can find many great old frames and put |
| Many antique furniture pieces are surprisingly | | | | some contemporary art in them...it's a great way to |
| comfortable and also remarkably sturdy. | | | | mix art with several different frames. Put black and |
| If you use a little bit of creativity, you can easily | | | | white photography in simple, old frames or collect |
| integrate antique furniture into a contemporary home. | | | | some old lithography and put them in contemporary |
| Actually, all of the major furniture manufacturers are | | | | frames...they look great! There is virtually something for |
| creating more traditional furniture that will blend well in | | | | everyone, awaiting them in attics, basements, flea |
| just about every setting. They modernize a piece with | | | | markets and antique shops. |
| some hardware, for instance, but the shape and size | | | | "We all like different stuff...there's a huge group of |
| of it still has a formal feel. If you buy a modern dining | | | | collectors for vintage (1960s and '70s), retro ('30s, '40s |
| room set, you can then find an occasional antique | | | | and '50s) and Victorian and Edwardian antique |
| piece like a sideboard or buffet to incorporate into your | | | | furniture. |
| décor. | | | | A great many people still aspire to own and buy |
| Many interior designers contact me for something | | | | antique furniture...it represents simpler times...it's nostalgic |
| unique to use in their designs. Many of them believe in | | | | and soothing, it creates a place where you can go and |
| blending old with new by using a lot of neutral-colored | | | | relax in your refuge from a cold, harsh world. |
| fabric, which looks great with the dark wood of | | | | |