Monthly Archives: October 2011

Learning more about decorating your homes with French style furniture

If you want to give your home a vintage yet elegant feel, then you will surely need a couple of French style furniture! The design of this furniture is very subtle and elegant which is the perfect choice if you want to bring out that vintage feel in your home. A lot of home owners prefer classy and simple design but speaks quality rather than decoration.

The most common and main material used in French style furniture is hardwood or other variations of raw wood that is crafted into different designs. You will notice the long deep cuts and free flowing lines which symbolizes French style bedroom furniture which will allow you to build a relaxed and comforting environment all around. Also, if you’re the type of person who’s into French decoration, you will notice the lush flower patterns and natural curves that are very common in household furniture.

French style furniture is usually found in bedrooms and living rooms. This achieves that elegant and classic style that many home owners aims for. You will find a wide variety of this style of furniture today. There are some that are designed and styled from natural materials such as oak wood to be able to capture a hint of French country during the historic times.

French style furniture can be found in the most common items such as beds, desks, dining tables, wardrobes, bathroom cabinets and a lot more. Also, bedside lamps, drapes and lamp shades are also included in this package of French country style and it can play a very significant role in bringing out a modern look when used correctly in the interior décor of your home.

Decorating your home with French style furniture is very easy, as mixing and matching it with other furniture is very interesting and exciting. You will surely have a lot of fun mixing things together.

All about French settee

Antique lovers adore and appreciate the classic French settee. This kind of chair has exposed wooden frames that are usually carved and its seats and backs are upholstered. Usually, a French settee is fairly small and can fit two people comfortable. This is very regal and elegant.

It is very possible that it is your first time to encounter the word settee and you might be surprised to know that a settee, a sofa and a couch are all the same, all have the same meaning. Now this French settee that we’re talking about is a sofa but comes in French style. If you are not an antique collector yet you appreciate French furniture, you will surely love this particular piece.

Expect a French settee to look very elegant and classy. It’s not your ordinary couch or sofa that you can just sit on. In fact, when you see one, you will definitely fix your posture and you might not even have the urge to lie down and put up your feet. Yes, this settee is really very elegant. Putting one in your living room or other parts in your home will evoke a Victorian feel.

A lot of people loves Victorian-inspired homes and to achieve that “feel”, a French settee will do the trick. It may look all so regal and elegant but you will be surprised how comfortable the couch is. The most common setter are the two-seater but you can find a French settee the size of the regular sofas we have today. However, most people today prefer the two-seater as this is much easier to find instead of the large ones.

You should know as well that there are genuine antique French settee that you can purchase but this is very rare and its rarity affects its cost which simply means that it is really expensive. On the other hand, if you don’t have the right amount of budget for a genuine antique, you will find a lot of reproductions of this which are more affordable without sacrificing its elegance and comfort.

Learning more about French antique reproductions

A lot of French antique reproductions are now being sold today. This is because of the gaining popularity of French antique in homes, hotels and other commercial places. However, if you’re going to buy a number of pieces of French antique furniture, unless you have a billion dollars, you will surely go broke. This is why a lot of people settle for French antique reproductions.

French antique reproductions are being sold in a lot of stores. Furniture stores may have what you need. However, it is very impossible to look for it in antique stores and garage sales. These reproductions resemble genuine French antiques but without the value the genuine ones have. This is the catch of the whole thing. On the other hand, these reproductions are more affordable.

Some hotels, restaurants and other commercial stores stock up for French antique reproductions instead of genuine ones. This is because it is more practical and at the same time, the elegance, class and beauty are still there. Aside from this, they find it more practical because it will be frequently used by random guests. Imagine if that’s a genuine antique, it will surely depreciate in value because of too much usage and it is very possible that it acquire damages that cannot easily be fixed unless you use expensive materials.

Another reason why some people settle for French antique reproductions is because they don’t have to spend a lot of money for its maintenance. If you’re putting the furniture in places that usually have a huge number of people, be practical and settle for reproductions instead.

Unraveling the characteristics of French bedroom furniture

A lot of homeowners are fascinated with French bedroom furniture. Who wouldn’t want a tough of elegance and class in their bedrooms? However, not everyone knows exactly what they’re looking for which is why knowing the main characteristics and design features will really help them determine the what kind of bedroom furniture they need or want.

Characteristics of French bedroom furniture

You should know that French bedroom furniture is traditionally made from wood. For genuine antique pieces, these are made from hard woods such as mahogany but modern version today are manufactured in softer, cheaper wood which makes it more budget-friendly after all, such furniture is no longer designed to be status symbols but rather practical, functional items. Aside from this, you must know that wooden veneers are sometimes used and finished with a nice polished look. Walnut is that popular choice for veneers because of its beautiful grain. For beds, these are sometimes made out of wrought iron which is sturdy with intricate designs.

For the colors, french bedroom furniture has a distinguishing characteristic. White is the most common and popular choice. If you want something less plain, there ire other items in light pastel colors. Mauves, eggshell, lavander, mint greens and blues will add a little more character and will perfectly blend with white pieces.

It is also important that you distinguish the shape. You will notice that heavier wooden items of French bedroom furniture are quite chunky and straightforward when it comes to their design and shape. On the other hand, the most attractive features of French bedroom furniture are their delicate shapes that are often used on the legs of items such as dressing table legs and spindly curved legs of French style chairs. For the heavier shapes, it will have some curved shapes such as scrolled feet on beds and wardrobes.

If you notice the detailing of French bedroom furniture, you will realize that this one of the stand out features they have which are carvings that are mostly used. Ornate detailing is both classic and classy and can set this style of furnishing aside from modern pieces.

Different types of wood used for farmhouse tables

Farmhouse tables fit perfectyl in traditional kitchens. If you love antique items or you want your home to be as traditional as possible, a farmhouse table is what you need to complete the traditional feel and look. Farmhouse tables are made from different wood materials and this is one thing that is very important for you to consider when looking for a farmhouse table in the market today.

Pine farmhouse tables

Pine farmhouse tables are a good choices if you like a large and traditional style of furniture. This solid pine material can give a rustic look to any room. However, pine is one of the more expensive types to buy as it offers a lot of benefits such as being durable and attractive. This is a great idea for a large family. Also, you can get a farmhouse table made from this material with chairs and these chairs are also made from solid pine and are usually straight-backed or a Windsor style.

Oak farmhouse tables

Another wood material that is used for some farmhouse tables is the oak wood. This is very traditional and it offers durability and an aesthetic look. When it comes to the cost, it varies depending on a couple of factors. First, it will depend on wood quality and the quality of craftmanship that it took to make the piece of furniture will also affect the price.

A lot of people nowadays love a farmhouse table in their homes. Simple but sturdy are the two best qualities of farmhouse tables. However, finding original antique may be difficult as this is very rare and if you are really determined to purchase one, you must prepare a huge amount of money. On the other hand, if you just want something that resembles a farmhouse table, you can find reproductions of this. Antique collectors are the usual people who purchase real farmhouse tables because of the value but if you just want one in your home and you don’t have the budget for it, finding a reproduction is much easier but don’t expect it to have the same value as real antique farmhouse tables do.

Getting a farmhouse table

A traditional kitchen won’t be complete without a farmhouse table. If you don’t have one yet, then it is time that you check out antique farmhouse tables for sale. However, looking for this particular table may be sort of difficult. The first thing that you have to do is to look for a place where you can find a good table. First, you might want to check out garage sales. There is a possibility that you find a farmhouse table there. Aside from this, you may even get the table for a cheaper price.

Where can you find a farmhouse table?

You can also score a farmhouse table at Antique shops. These stores are great outlets as they have a bigger collection. However, one disadvantage is that you are entitled to spend more cash unlike in garage sales. The reason behind this is that antique retailers have to meet overhead liabilities and at the same time, get some profit.

Other places where you can get a farmhouse table is on the internet. There are now a lot of furniture shops online where you can browse for antique furniture such as farmhouse tables. The great thing about shopping online is that there is a wider selection there instead of going in antique stores and other stores near your area. The downside is that you have to be 100% sure that you’re buying from a reputable seller. You can assure this by doing your research or asking referrals from friends who have experience in buying antique furniture online.

Your farmhouse table budget

Since you are planning to get a farmhouse table for your home, make sure that you do your research first before you look into these places. That way, you will be able to have an estimate on the cost of this table. Also, this will also help you prepare your budget and not go overboard. The World Wide Web is the best place for you to do some research.

European furniture

No one can deny the class and elegance that European furniture brings. A lot of people gets easily attracted to such furniture. However, there are some things that one must know when buying European furniture. Remember that there is a wide range of different styles and options to choose from. However, if you want the best furniture, you should know that the best ones reflect their European origin and offers something different to the rest of non-European furniture.

Mixing modern contemporary with European furniture

The great thing about buying European furniture is that you have a lot to choose from. Aside from this, such furniture will look great in a lot of home décor. You see, there is a lot of designer furniture that will definitely look great in modern looking setting. So, even if you have a contemporary home, there is nothing wrong with mixing it with European furniture as there are now a lot of modern furniture from countries such as France and Rome who are very well-known for their beautiful designs of furniture.

Germany also puts a lot of highly modern looking European furniture and there are also a lot of well-known designers of this particular furniture.

For people who have a traditional taste, a lot of options of European furniture!

However, if your “furniture taste” is on the traditional side, then there is also a lot of antique or antique-looking European furniture that you can choose from and much of these furniture are from England. With these traditional or classic furniture, it will give your home a very Victorian look and make your home look like an old manor house or a country home.

European furniture doesn’t need to be expensive but it is very likely that you will encounter a lot of expensive ones especially if you’re looking for real antiques. However, if you’re on a budget, you can find many fairly modern and cheap European furniture that’s made to look like antique modern furniture. In some cases, there are some people that settle for antiquing European furniture to make it look distressed.

So, whether you have a roll of cash or on a tight budget, you can still satisfy your love for European furniture as you have a lot of options to choose from. Remember that there is really no need to break the bank as long as you have the cash to back it up.

Collecting antiques and be one among the many antique collectors

For 40 years, collecting of antiques have been a popular pastime and there are really a lot of antique collectors out there. The popularity of the hobby has exploded with the fresh lineup on antique collectors on reality shows, which makes thousands of dollars from one found item. However, online antique stores seem to be really promising as it provides antique collectors an easier solution when it comes to hunting for treasures. For amateur or beginner collectors, attics and cellars are the best places.

The cost of antique collection according to antique collectors

When you hear “antique collection” being spoken by antique collectors, the first thing that will come into mind is how much these antiques have cost them. You may be surprised that the cost or money is that last thing on their minds. Collecting antiques is all about their passion for history and is as much as acquiring knowledge as it is old rugs, books or furniture. Whether you’re in it for money or love, you would have to start somewhere.

When it comes to collecting antiques and you are a first-timer, the first thing that you should think about is what will you collect? Choosing an item is not difficult. All you have to so is simply pick something you already love or have always wanted to learn more about. A great advice is to start with an item that you already have a personal connection with, maybe an old toy or a doll that you haven’t had the chance to own during your childhood or something that you couldn’t part with as a child. Whatever decision you make, you always have to make sure that you have genuine interest in it as this will make the hunt for it so much fun.

Learning how to collect antiques like antique collectors do

Antique collectors have learned how to collect and you should too! You could visit antique stores and make appointments with other antique collectors and dealers. Ask them questions and learn some tips of the trade. Another question that you should ask is about reliable appraisers in your area that specialize in the particular item that you want. You should also lean what you can about the world of collecting. Antiques are generally over 100 years old while collectibles are more modern. The good news is that there are also a lot of online classes for beginner collectors that you can participate in.

Researching is very important and antique collectors will tell you this. It is always best that you know the whole history of the particular antique that you wish to purchase. Also, antique collectors will advise you to set a budget. Some collectibles and antiques make for very pricey habits while others are more affordable. However, you must keep in mind that sometimes you may have to dig deep into those pockets for a really rare find.

Antique collectors are known for their knowledge, curiosity and excitement and collecting antiques is such an adventure for them. It’s a great ride and you might want to join the ride and find your treasure.

The love for English furniture

A lot of people have a penchant for antique furniture and the most popular are the English furniture, particularly 18th century English furniture. The 18th century is where the bureau developed mirrored doors that are often found inside cabinets or above writing flaps. This mirroring reflected light onto writing surfaces serve a practical purposes as well as decorative.

How English furniture evolved

English furniture also welcomed newly-evolved chairs as these changed dramatically from square shapes into a more curved and rounded effect. The backs of the chairs have moulded frames and within there is a shaped vertical piece and the seats are uplostered and frames. If you look closely at the legs, you will notice that they are curved or comes in the form that resembles an “S” in a very delicate manner.

Aside from this wonderful evolution of English furniture, the fashion in materials have evolved into something more as well. Also, there is the French rococo styles which influenced English furniture. Rococo furniture are lighter and more elegant than Baroque French style and it incorporates decorative shapes such as shells, flowers, foliage and scrolls. In addition to this, the Far Eastern styles have become fashionable and some of the furniture bear designs such as pagodas and birds that are only originally seen on items of porcelain.

The beauty of English furniture

No one can deny the beauty of English furniture and how much it evolved back in the days. In fact, such furniture are very visible in old homes and mansions in different countries. Some people also love mixing modern furniture with English furniture. The combination brings classiness, elegance and at the same time contemporary with a touch of antiquity.

Tea tables are very important pieces in English furniture. Englishmen are famous for their tasty teas and their love of teas. There is the tipod table with a circular top that is intended for serving tea. The top of this table can be folded down for easy storage when not in use and was often highly decorated, shaped and carved with elegant cabriole legs.

The love for English furniture is increasing. Everyone who wants to make the interiors of their homes elegant and classy resort to purchasing such furniture as it clearly defines the beauty of the 18th century and the beauty of English furniture that cannot be found in other antique furniture.

English furniture