There is no quicker way to add glamor, style, sophistication or charm to any room in the house than with a well selected piece of antique furniture.
It is a common misconception that antique furniture only works with very traditional or even Victorian style rooms, nothing could be further from the truth. In point of fact, a well chosen piece of antique furniture can elevate the style of any design whether the space is modern, kitschy, retro, global or even minimalist. The trick is to select pieces that wither blend in (homogenize) with decor or provide rich contrast. Antique furniture can be grouped into four basic categories by location of origin: English (Victorian, Pre-Victorian), European (French or German, usually), American (Shaker, New York, Western) or Far Eastern (Chinese, date/era specific).
While there are no hard and fast rules on the subject, collectors, dealer and historians agree that a piece of furniture is considered antique if it is more than 100 years old. In order to be a successful antique shopper, it is vital that you study and familiarize yourselves with the hallmarks of the most popular styles. For the occasional antique shopper, of if you're only looking to purchase one piece, you can skip the more intensive, broad scope study and zero in on information pertaining to the type of piece you're looking to acquire. History, art history and antique guide books are all readily available at bookstores, online or at the local library. Being prepared with this type of information before purchasing will help you to get a great price and avoid scams or counterfeit pieces.
The construction of antique furniture out of solid woods both rare and fine grade makes it an investment that, if well maintained, will almost certainly increase in value over time. The value of wood pieces is determined both by the condition and type of wood. The highly prized woods include mahogany, oak, walnut and pine. When shopping look for pieces with the original hardware and avoid pieces that may have been refurbished, refinished or redone. Be sure to inspect the piece completely, keeping in mind that slightly wobbly or shaky legs are usually a sign of authenticity and original fittings.
Once purchased, retaining the value of your antique piece will require vigilant maintenance. Never use lemon oil on the wood of your antique furniture, as this will cause drying and actually damage the wood and diminish your purchases value. Instead, use cleaning products and polishes are primarily made of natural beeswax.
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