antiques & handicrafts hobby

Antique wood furniture is dated mainly from the XVI century and up to the XX century. There is also furniture older than XVI century, but it is very rare and in most cases it is not durable enough for practical use. If I had to write a detailed review of each style, a huge book would not be enough to fit in all the information, not to mention the illustrations. Therefore, I would like to provide you with a brief review of antique furniture styles with their dates and typical characteristics.

Gothic (XII - XV cc.)
Furniture of the gothic period is tall, ponderous and simple. During that period it became common to keep clothes in wardrobes whereas before that time chests were used for that purpose. Thus, by the end of the Middle Ages prototypes of the main modern furniture arose: closets, beds and chairs. In these household items it could be seen that the styles were dominated by church architecture. Frames were decorated with arrows, turrets, and transverse ribbed elements as well as misshapen figures. The main wood types are oak and chestnut.

Renaissance (XV-XVII cc.)
Renaissance furniture is determined by precise form and clear construction. Main features include columns of various forms, pilasters, chandeliers, carved statues of cupids and herms. In time, the range of embellishments such as lion paws, heads of sheep, various masks and arms became more widespread. The most popular wood used is walnut.

Baroque (XVII-XVIII cc.)
Baroque style is characterized by the decorative splendor of carved sculptural shapes and rounded forms with an abundance of decorations. The main themes of carving and fresco are cupids, geniuses, naiads, griffins, eagles, lions, shells and folded ribbons. Velvet with a large pattern was the main type of upholstery used in Baroque furniture, with the wood being mostly walnut and oak. Key furniture types are cabinets, upholstered stuffed armchairs and chairs.

Rococo (XVIII c.)
Rococo furniture is elegant and ornate. The typical style for Rococo is curved legs, backs, arm rests and couches. They are richly decorated with carvings and bronze plates in the form of garlands of flowers, plants, shells and scrolls. Later, bronze parts were replaced by varnishes imported from China.

Classicism (the end of XVIII c.)
Gilding and painting are replaced by the natural texture of wood. Marguetry, bronze planted medallions and porcelains inserts are used as decorations. Other defining features of this style are the rule of symmetry, straight lines and bas-relief carvings. For upholstery a special cloth - tapestry or fabrics embroidered with flowers, bouquets and pastoral scenes - was used.

Empire (the beginning of XIX c.)
Empire furniture forms are strictly constructive, subject to the rules of ancient architecture, but delicate in design and proportion. The main material used was mahogany with bronze decorations in the shape of swans, eagles, military motifs as well as trophies and emblems of Napoleon.

Biedermeier (first half of XIX c.)
Typical characteristics for Biedermeier furniture are the preference for gently curved lines. This is evident in features such as backs and armrests on furniture like sofas, chairs, table legs and writing desks. Mainly a light wood was used such as ash, cherry, birch, pear and maple. Veneering is widely used. Biedermeier style furniture is simple and much more practical to use.

After the Biedermeier style came the Eclecticism and then Modern (also known as Art Nouveau). But due to certain specifics and enormous volume of information, it is better to write a separate article about these two.

Be original - Decorate your home with antique

Antique furniture can really give a room a unique look. But deciding just which antique to decorate a room with and how to integrate them can be a bit confusing to many homeowners.

Antique furniture, whether it's a turn of the century fainting couch, a Victorian sideboard or an unusual lamp from the Art Deco period, can really make a room pop. Done correctly, the addition of antique furniture and décor can transform the entire character of a room.

There are two basic directions you can go with antiques. You can either use them as accents to a room decorated with more traditional or contemporary pieces. Or you can go all out and recreate the past with a room done entirely in antiques.

If you want to go the accent route, you want to start by carefully choosing the antiques to go in the room. Every room has a focal point, and the right antique can become the focal point of your room, allowing you to build around it so that it is showcased. For example, an antique grandfather clock can serve as a focal point in any room, as can an antique curio cabinet or an antique organ.

An antique can also play a supporting role. You can add a single antique piece to a room that is otherwise decorated in more modern furnishings. To do this, you want to adopt a singular overarching theme or color scheme that ties the pieces together visually. For instance, you could add an antique fainting couch that has a complementary or contrasting color of fabric.

Establishing relationships is the key when you decorate any room with antique furniture. You want antique furniture to stand out for the right reasons, not because it seems out of place.

If you don't have any pieces that will serve as a focal point, you can still integrate them by making them supporting pieces. An antique sideboard can work well as a sofa table or as a bar in your room. Giving your antique furniture a purpose can make it look more at home in any room.

If you want to do an entire room in antiques, that takes a bit more work. The best way to tie the pieces together is through color, fabric, period or style. For example, you could go with a room that is decorated with nothing but Queen Anne furnishings or Chippendale. You could also choose a favorite fabric and have furniture from different periods reupholstered with it to give the room a unified look. The same is true with finishes. You wouldn't necessarily want to add an antique desk in cherry in a room of oak. Staying consistent with fabrics and woods can help keep a room cohesive.

Just because you want to have the room filled with antiques doesn't mean the furniture has to be old these days, either. You can buy beautiful reproductions of period pieces for less money. You can also mix new antique pieces with real antiques to create the look you're after without having to empty your bank account. You can find that one defining piece that truly is a valuable antique and then supplement it with newer pieces that only look old.

Finally, you can do your own antiquing. This is a smart idea if you have an unusual piece that serves as the focal point and you want some of your favorite tables or accents to match. You can do some faux antiquing using finishes, paints and distressing techniques that can be found online.

As you work with the antique furnishings in your room, don't overlook the accents that really make a room look complete. This could be antique books, antique china, unusual knickknacks from another time and place or period lamps. An antique room can have an eclectic appearance to it, from the furniture to the window treatments. Depending on the period you're gravitating toward, it can even be hard to go overboard. Certainly, the Victorian era is evidence of this.

The best strategy is to go slowly when decorating with antiques. You want to shop carefully and deliberately, since antiques can be pricey. If you're on a budget, give consideration to reproductions. They can add beauty without busting your budget.