| The benefit of antiques as an investment, unlike stocks | | | | Commercial applications for antiques come at a time |
| and bonds, is that you enjoy them on a daily basis... But | | | | when the trend is for a more residential feeling in many |
| once acquired, how are antiques best incorporated into | | | | workplaces as a result of the "hi-tech" - "high-touch" |
| our living spaces? | | | | philosophy. Good pieces immediately give the |
| As the dwindling supply of antiques pushes the prices | | | | impression of success and stability and balance the |
| up, few people today starting to furnish a home can | | | | wealth of machinery in offices today. A small dining |
| afford to purchase by the roomful. Practical | | | | table makes a good size work desk and can be used |
| alternatives include using quality reproductions. In | | | | in conjunction with a nearby chest for storage. Dresser |
| traditional and eclectic interiors, it is amazing how one | | | | bases can substitute for credenzas behind a desk and |
| well placed antique with good proportions, graining, | | | | breakfast tables or medium size gatelegs are perfect |
| details and patina can take the "newness" off a room | | | | for small conference tables. Unique lamps can be |
| of good reproduction furniture. | | | | made from antique vases, urns, candlesticks or many |
| The rule of thumb for first purchases is to invest in a | | | | other interesting items. Even if a room is well lit, a lamp |
| chest- the best chest you can afford. We live in such | | | | sitting on a desk or end table gives off a warm |
| a mobile society, and, if you find yourself moving, the | | | | incandescent light that counteracts the harshness of |
| versatile chest can be used in almost any room of the | | | | overhead fluorescents. |
| house. The size of the chest is not as critical as it is | | | | Other decorative accessories that have outlived their |
| for larger pieces such as dining room tables or | | | | function can still be enjoyed by adapting them to more |
| sideboards which may be over or under scaled when | | | | contemporary uses. For example, lap boxes once |
| moved to a different house. | | | | used for correspondence while traveling are works of |
| Antique dining chairs and tables are some of the most | | | | art with beautiful graining, ornate marquetry or inlaid |
| sought after pieces. If budget dictates a choice, an | | | | brass designs. The interior writing surface was usually |
| antique dining table with reproduction chairs is a good | | | | covered in leather with gilt tooling around the perimeter |
| combination. A table will stand up to more wear over | | | | and fitted with small "cubbies" for writing accessories |
| time than the rear legs of good period chairs with | | | | such as pens and nibs. The more valuable lap boxes |
| "unsympathetic sitters". | | | | have secret spring loaded compartments. These |
| Antique furniture blends beautifully with the clean | | | | boxes along with porcelain platters, and tole and papier |
| sparseness of contemporary interiors. The simple lines | | | | mache trays can be enjoyed daily by displaying them |
| of Louis XVI, Directoire, Biedemeier and Queen Anne | | | | on custom made stands and used as coffee and |
| integrate perfectly with the clean but forceful lines | | | | occasional tables. |
| seen in contemporary furniture. An ornately carved | | | | Before you buy that antique ask yourself these |
| antique, by contrast, is elevated even more to a work | | | | questions. Is the piece the right style and scale for the |
| of art in an interior of otherwise contemporary furniture | | | | room? Are the condition and age and amount of |
| where it may be the sole provider of elaborate | | | | restoration reflected in the price? And finally, does it |
| decoration. | | | | feed your soul? |