How To Incorporate Antique Decor In Your Home
One of the most enduring ways to decorate your home is through antiques. Wondering how to incorporate antique decor into your home? Not sure where to find the best antiques? Continue reading!
From Chere di Boscio
Antiques are enjoying great popularity again not only because of their longevity and durability, but also because of their sustainability. But where do you find them? And how can you make them work in your home?
These are just some of the questions we asked antiques expert Mark Hill. But we also learned a lot more from him! For example, he tells us:
• The majority of people believe that antiques will always be in fashion
• Art Deco has been cited as the most popular style of antique decor in Britain
• Original artwork or antiques in your home is considered a status symbol in the UK
• Antiques can be a great investment
That’s all great, but how can we make antiques look great in our homes? Read on to find out this and more antique decorating tips!
Pictures: frenchcountrycottage.net
Expert advice on integrating antique decor into your home
What is the actual definition of antique furniture?
Many people own a variety of vintage possessions and antiques, possibly without realizing it. An antique is technically an object that is at least 100 years old. This can be a large piece of furniture or a small work of art. However, antique fairs tend to have more recent works such as designs from the 1950s – 1970s.
What other types of antiques are the most desirable?
Some of the most popular and coveted pieces include 1930s Art Deco cocktail cabinets and iconic 1970s chaise longues by designer Osc
Antique works of art and statues never look “old” and are therefore in demand. These are also resold at good prices.
Why do you think antiques are still so popular?
Antiques remain popular for a number of reasons, but chief among them is their durability and sustainability. Research has shown that as a nation we really are antique lovers. Obviously, it’s their sustainable nature and enduring style that has kept them in vogue.
In fact, figures show that 62% of people say antiques look good in their home no matter how long they’ve been there. And the majority (72%) see antique furniture as still trendy. More than half (58%) believe they make a fantastic long-term investment and are also good for our environment with their sustainable properties.
Also, solid wood furniture that is antique can be restored over and over again, giving it a lifespan of hundreds of years.
What is the best way for people to incorporate antiques into modern decor?
Fortunately, antique possessions are usually fairly easy to incorporate into decorative schemes, as they are often one-off items such as odd chairs and end tables, or decorative items and works of art.
When choosing your next piece of antique decor, first consider the space you have. If you fall in love with a large piece, measure it carefully and do an access check to ensure you can fit it into your home. Contrary to intuition, large pieces can sometimes make a small space appear larger if used correctly.
Once you’ve made sure a piece fits into a space, there are a few things you can do to keep interiors interesting. If you are
What are your top tips for incorporating antique decor into a room?
- Look for objects in materials and colors that match your plans.
- It can be a good idea to carry a small wallet with tiny snippets of your colors and fabrics, and a tape measure, which can come in handy when buying larger pieces.
- Interior designers sometimes use antiques to contrast and blend into a color or pattern scheme. They also know that mixing old and new pieces keeps a house from looking like a hotel. It also gives it texture and soul as well as true individuality.
- I would recommend not overdoing antique decor from a particular era. This could make your house look more like a museum than a home!
- Try incorporating small pieces like paintings and chandeliers until you learn more about incorporating antique decor into your home.
Where is the best place to look for antiques?
You may have passed down a lot of older pieces from older generations. These not only have historical value but also sentimental value.
However, there’s a chance that some of the antiques you’ve inherited are feeling dated, don’t fit your spaces, or don’t suit your particular look. Because of this, it’s important that you know some good places to look for great antique pieces to complement your decor.
A detour to estate auctions is worthwhile here. A quick Google search should find some upcoming ones near you. Alternatively, there are antique fairs across the country. One of the best is the Winter Art & Antique Fair Olympia in London. A huge collection of the finest specialist dealers presents itself to you at trade fairs. They all offer a wide range of high-quality, verified art and antiques from centuries ago.
Of course, some of the best auctions and fairs take place in Europe. Mainly due to the long history of the countries.
Finally, how can you tell if a piece of antique decor is real?
Real antique hunters know what is important when it comes to materials and details. But if you’re fairly new to buying antiques, go to fairs and auctions, not shops. Each piece for sale is “checked” prior to sale. This means that experts have checked it for quality and authenticity. That being said, some sellers offer certificates of authenticity.
If you would like more information about the brilliant sustainability and longevity of antiques, and to know more about how best to display them in your home, the Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia will be held from 1st to 6th November, with a private Preview on October 31st.