August 5, 2008
Whether you inherit antiques or stumble on a great estate sale, there are some great treasures to be found. When the time comes to add these pieces to your home, you may feel you are short on space or that the style does not jive with your own. But fear not! I will share some Designer Secrets for incorporating antiques into your home. The result is a new home for an old friend. Here are some great examples:
Old Dressers – These are one of my favorite finds. My mom refinished a family treasure and now it’s a stand-out piece in my own bedroom. But dressers can also be used in many unexpected places. They make lovely foyer pieces to welcome family and guests. Pair it with an unusual mirror to check your lipstick on the way out the door. Pop a bowl on top for keys and change. Dressers are also useful in your dining area to store linens and china. Just make sure the drawers are stead and stable.
Stray Chairs – Have you adopted a pretty dining chair that’s been separated from its flock? This is a great opportunity to show your personality. All you need is some paint, a piece of fabric, some batting and a staple gun. Pop out the slip seat and paint or refinish the frame. Then choose a fun, patterned fabric for the seat. Use it in your bathroom so you have a comfortable place to put cream on your legs. Or pop it in your bedroom for a convenient spot to slip on your shoes. It’s as easy as that.
(Not up for the DIY challenge? There are plenty of affordable and talented people to help you transform your treasures. Your local fabric shop often knows upholsterers and the upholsterer probably knows a refinisher.)
Overlooked Artwork – Stunning pieces of artwork are often overlooked because of chipped frames and mildewed mats. If you look a bit closer you will often fine a little treasure that far surpasses any reproduction. It just needs a little TLC. Bring it to your local framer and they will help you out. Acid free mats and the proper glass will make sure your piece will remain in great condition for you to pass them on to your kids. My standard advice for framing and mats is to choose a mat in the white family (ivory, taupe or cream), select a double mat and an antique gold, silver or stained frame. These are solid choices that won’t look dated or take away from the piece.
The photo above is of my own bathroom with a great old Chippendale chair (with seashell fabric) and a pair of treasured watercolor paintings. Good luck with your treasures and let me know how it works out!
Lorrie My Design Secrets
Comments
uum7432 (anonymous) says...
When deciding to refurbish your wood treasures, check with an Antique Expert before you whip out the paint or paint remover. My Mom unknowingly reduced the value of Grandma's dresser by hundreds of dollars when she stripped off the old paint and restored it to the natural wood.
August 20, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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