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by: Madhu Puri
L ike anything old and of great value (think wine, books, jewelry, art ) , ant ique
furniture can feel l ike a hefty commitment that requires insider knowledge, constant
Photo: Joshua McHugh; Des ign: A l ison Mart in & Jean Per in v ia Architectura l Digest
THE UNDENIABLE ALLURE OF ANTIQUE FURNITURE
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upkeep, and preservat ion to maintain that value. Not to mention, many of us s imply
think the aesthetic is far too specif ic to f i t into a modern day sett ing. But despite any
reservat ions, there’s no denying the sacred presence and sheer beauty of an object
crafted more than a century ago.
From Tony Duquette’s maximal ist inter iors , where the boldest and quirkiest ant ique
furniture v ied for attention, to the sumptuously layered rooms by Sister Par ish, where
nicks and dings infused both character and comfort , our associat ions with aged
pieces are often rooted in those most eccentr ic or supremely tradit ional looks. So
why consider ant ique furniture i f you don’t subscr ibe to either aforementioned
aesthetic? As Par ish put i t , “ innovation is often the abi l i ty to reach into the past and
bring back what is good, what is beautiful , what is useful , what is last ing.” In other
words, the past can inform and actual ly enhance your present.
“You want to introduce antique furnishings into a house so that i t looks l ike i t has
been made over t ime and not in a day,” says decorator Lucy Rose of Lucy Rose
Design. “There is a lso no lead t ime with order ing, so decorators l ike me, prefer
Design: John Yunis ; Photo: Scott Frances v ia Architectura l Digest
antiques for complet ing a space.” Today, with so many shelter magazines and décor
companies touting the importance of an old-meets-new mix to achieve balance and
character , i t ’s easier than ever for onl ine shoppers to f ind inspirat ion and fol low suit
layer ing these pieces in as decorators do.
“ I have furnished the major ity of my home with older pieces,” says Ginette Lospinoso,
the former v ice president of the Inter iors department at Christ ie’s Auction House.
“Not only can you acquire better qual ity , and in many cases a better pr ice, your
inter ior wi l l undoubtedly ref lect a uniqueness and personal touch that is just not
achievable i f your home is f i l led only with new pieces or an entire suite from a
catalogue, retai ler or website. ”
Education on preservat ion and authentic ity is certainly important but to start off that
golden rule of shopping appl ies here: buy what you love. For anyone apprehensive
about invest ing in ant ique furniture because of the maintenance required, the real i ty
is that new items also wi l l need upkeep at some point . “Furniture was often made
better then than it is now,” Rose says. “ I do not think antiques need any more care in
comparison. Trust your gut when you are looking and buy what appeals to you—and
make sure i t is something that serves the purpose you bought i t for. ”
Home of V ictor ia Press v ia New York T imes
So i f you’re ready to incorporate antique furniture into your home, or i f you s imply
want to invest in a piece you’ve fa l len in love with, below f ind the ult imate checkl ist
to help you shop l ike a pro.
1 . Know What Makes a Knock Off
Construct ion most often determines the difference between a real and an imposter.
When shopping for ant ique furniture, the s igns are easy to spot. “Certainly nothing
crafted before the 19th century should be made with metal nai ls , screws, or part ic le
board,” Lospinoso says. “These should be dead giveaways that something is a fake.”
2. Look for Proof of Authentic ity
Stamps can be a key dr iver of value. “ I f you are buying from the 20th century onward,
ask to see the stamps ( i f they exist ) and compare those to one’s by the same makers
onl ine,” Lospinoso says. “ I f you can f ind out anything about the provenance from the
sel ler this can also help confirm authentic ity. ” Unfortunately, i f a piece predates the
20th century, there is a strong chance it wi l l not be stamped.
3. Consider the Level of Wear
Although it ’s true that ant iques are often far more durable than newly fabr icated
furniture, they have been l ived in. Make sure you are comfortable with a bit of wear
and tear but a lways ask about an i tem’s condit ion so you know if actual damage is a
concern. As Lospinoso points out, “some damages are marginal and can easi ly be
restored, but others l ike major damage to veneer in a rare wood, might be harder to
repair.
4. Repairs & Restorat ion Matter
Upkeep is required to br ing antique furniture back to i ts intended functional ity but a
restorat ion that changes the or iginal proport ions can decrease value. You can expect
some level of gluing or ref inishing but look out for hardware or mater ia ls that do not
perfect ly match the or iginals . Also, be weary of complete overhauls . “When I see
something old that is so shiny i t looks l ike a bowling al ley f loor , i t g ives me pause,”
says Lospinoso. “These items are old and their pat ina should ref lect that . ” Another
helpful hint : American furniture col lectors do not favor restorat ion, so i f a more
pol ished piece is preferred, consider shopping for Engl ish or European antique
furniture.
5. Preservat ion is Part of the Purchase
Sel lers are the best source for learning about how to properly care for your ant ique
pieces. The internet a lso offers loads of information on preservat ion with inst itut ions
l ike the Smithsonian Museum Conservat ion Inst itute providing downloadable guides
that detai l everything from care and handl ing to restorat ion. You can also ask sel lers
to recommend restorers in your area.
Design: Gomez Associates ; Photo: Scott Frances v ia Architectura l Digest
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6. Remember It ’s Got Potentia l
We can’t restore every piece back to i ts or iginal use or beauty so consider turning
something on its head. “You may f ind a chair with an amazing frame but horr id
upholstery. Look beyond what s its in front of you and imagine the potentia l of a piece
reupholstered or even lacquered in a different color , ” says Lospinoso. I f done wel l , a
new treatment or fabr ic upgrade can actual ly enhance the or iginal detai ls , whi le a lso
creat ing a piece that actual ly f i ts in with more modern décor.
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