Antique Furniture: Appealing to Your Aesthetic Tastes With Their Grandiose Designs!

With the advent of the global economy, there has been a massive growth in the business of antique furniture and handicrafts in the export and domestic market. Thousands of antique collectible item providers worldwide claim to weave the architectural wonders of the classic ages with their extensive collection of classic furniture, classic antique lamps and antique chandeliers, antique accessories and other collectible items. While the serious antique collectors and museums have always been passionate about restoring heritage pieces and traditional architectural items encompassing history and classicism, the modern man has also been gradually conscious of the heritage of classic design furniture adapted to the needs of today. Therefore, the antique items today form part of his living room or dining hall, apart from being valued heritage items at museums worldwide.

The antique furniture items, including the classic English furniture, antique Continental furniture, antique Oriental furniture items (including the antique Chinese furniture, antique Japanese and antique Tibetan furniture), function as wonderful utility items as well as distinctive decorative pieces reflecting the art, culture and aesthetic flavor of the Medieval, Gothic and the Renaissance period. Antique furniture of the Gothic, Georgian, Medieval and Renaissance period generally comprises of a vast selection of cupboards, cabinets, tables, chairs, armoires, dressers, coffers and chests, benches, bookcases and mirrors. While the European, American and Continental antique furniture and collectibles characterize the western classic architectural essence, the antique Chinese furniture and antique Japanese furniture unfold the magic and charm of the mystic Oriental culture that is reflected in their intricate artistic carving and inlaid decoration.

While the antique lamps and chandeliers, with the vintage or figural hand-carved varieties used to be great sources of attraction and beauty in the mid eighteenth and nineteenth centuries all over Europe, the advent of electric lamps globally had ousted those and turned them to be mere museum pieces. Truly authentic antique electric lamps and chandeliers have very limited supply. Hundreds of antique providers today claim to supply beautiful hand cut European crystal lamps and chandeliers, which can complement any antique décor. You, however, have to be extremely prudent of your purchase of the authentic antique chandeliers and lamps from extremely reliable dealers and traders of antique lamp and chandeliers.

Today, the web world has come up with unique, innovative online storehouses, offering exclusive and exquisite inventory of antique furniture items, along with antique lamps and antique chandeliers. Many of these online antique furniture providers and dealers stock an inexhaustible selection of 18th and 19th century Country Furniture comprising of farmhouse tables in Oak and Fruitwoods and sets of Country Chairs such as Windsors, Ladders, Spindlebacks and so on. They claim to be online superstores of vast and diverse online antiques and collectibles encompassing a huge gamut of architecture, antique decorative items, antique paintings or fine arts collections, antique clocks, crockery, figurines, furniture, glassware and so on. No longer will you have to search frantically for reliable antique dealers, wholesalers and retailers for your purchase of rare antique English, antique French or antique Chinese furniture. With the click of the mouse, today you have a plethora of sites dealing with the online purchase of your favorite antique items through a vast and organized global network of antique dealers and suppliers that cater to the aesthetic tastes of diverse sections of the community.

Choose the most authentic antique site for the purchase of your favorite antique items. All of these sites will claim to provide you with the best deals. You, however, have to get armed with proper knowledge of the antiques before rushing for your purchase, as it is no trifle investment! Therefore, get your deals from only those antique dealers/providers on the net with adequate knowledge, expertize and experience in the arena of antique furniture and collectibles.

About the Author:

Lopa Bhattacharya (Banerjee) is a content writer/developer for overseas/Indian corporate website projects, CD-Rom presentations, brochures, flyers and other communication materials. Have worked on SEO copywriting projects on varied themes ranging from travel, hotel industry, photography, web design and software development to US-based clubs and network communities. Does freelance writing assignments for the print and web media featuring women, children, health, literature, art, and media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lopa_Bhattacharya

Renovate Old Furniture – A Smart Option

Home is where the heart is! And the heart can easily get hooked on to the home that has its furniture in order. An impressively furnished home is what really makes the life worth living. Not only is it soothing to the eyes but can also lift your sagging spirits at the end of the hard day’s toil. New shining furniture is always desirable but not feasible every time. Old Amish furniture is meant for keeps. And other furniture in the home is also meant to last a considerable duration of time.

However your old furniture can emit negative vibes among your colleagues and friends circle. And you may find yourself helpless in the midst of financial crunch. The replacement – i.e., new furniture – can dig a deep hole in your already shrinking pockets. But as the saying goes – desperate situations demand desperate measures – there is a way out of this unpleasant situation. You can go for complete renovation of your old furniture. This will ensure a brand new look to the traditional Amish made furniture and re-lend the lost grace of other furniture articles in the home. And as the proverbial icing on the cake, it will cost just a fraction of what the new furniture would have cost.

Renovation of furniture can take the shape of re-finishing and repairs. Refinishing can be done by removing the paint or polish using the sand paper so that the furniture grains are clearly visible. The stains are also removed either with the sand paper or a good stain-removing agent. The old furniture can then be given a brand new look by the paint of your choice. This technique is particularly beneficial in re-doing a solid piece of furniture like Amish Oak furniture. The new paint can also be supplemented by glazes, crackled paint etc.

Refinishing is always preceded by the requisite repairs to the furniture. The damaged parts of the furniture are re-glued or replaced as per requirement. Always remember, repairing the worn out furniture would cost you just a fraction of the cost of new furniture. Normally, repairing is an easy job but if you find it onerous, better hire a reputable professional. He will ensure you get the best out of your old furniture.

A relatively newer furniture article needs only refurbishing to give it a transformed look. With minor sanding to remove accumulated dirt and wax, such furniture just needs a touch-up to regain its lost glory. Refurbishing is far less time consuming and a much cheaper option than refinishing. But where the furniture is out of shape, no amount of refurbishing can help. Refinishing, in such a case, is the only option. Refurbishing is advisable in unpainted wooden furniture and antiques due to its obvious benefits.

Renovation of upholstery, slipcovers, cane chairs and wicker furniture is a slightly typical task. As far as possible, seek professional help in getting them back to shape. A reputed professional interior decorator would advise you the best course of action for your old furniture.

The author has been deeply involved with the work of Amish Furniture craftsmen. Amish Handcrafted Furniture is made with the best quality wood to last for generations. Click to buy Wholesale Amish Furniture.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarika_Kabra

French Furniture, Louis XVI Style

Even before the death of Louis XV in 1775, the furniture style associated with his reign was abandoned in favor of a simpler neoclassical style that was identified with his successor, Louis XVI.

Through the efforts of Madame Pompadour, a woman of refinement, culture, education and wealth, the City of Pompeii, which was buried during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, was excavated. It revealed a city very much in the same state, as it was when the eruption of the volcano buried it in 79 A.D. The excavation of Pompeii, a once glorious Roman resort, brought the Parisians new awareness and a surge of interest in classical ancient Rome. They were quickly captivated by the constant flow of ideas and drawings of Roman scrolls, monuments and motifs.

The rococo style slowly faded as people started to take interest in the new discoveries. Louis XVI reigned during a period of 14 years from 1775 to 1789. The Louis XVI style advocates simpler, less ornate furniture design. Straight lines and simplicity are the guiding principles of this period. In Louis XVI architecture and furniture designs, the curves are eliminated and replaced by straight lines which is a total opposite to the Louis XV style. If ever there is curvature in the design, it is usually compass drawn and not free form. The chair backs are usually oval, rectangular or shield form. The cabriole legs have been replaced with straight legs and are fluted imitating the columns of ancient Rome. Most case pieces are usually in rectangular form and there are no more curves as in the Bombe of Louis XV. This period doesn't have so much ornamentation in its design and often is not carved or painted either. It is usually finished in natural wood with mahogany the most commonly used. Since this period is so much influenced by the ideals of ancient Rome and Greece, the Louis XVI style is alternatively referred to as the Neo Classical style.

The typical motifs of this period includes:

1. The lyre which is a classic Roman musical instrument.

2. Fluted legs imitating Roman columns with square blocks carved with rosettes at the top of legs.

3. Urns and columns.

Despite its difference from the Louis XV style, the Neo Classical style of Louis XVI maintains the delicacy of its predecessor. It adheres to the size and grace of Louis XV rather than the massive size of the baroque Louis XIV style. To better identify the Louis XVI style; here are its basic characteristics.

1. It has fluted, slim, straight legs usually topped with a square box with rosette carving.

2. It has compass drawn mechanical arc and curves; it is never free form.

3. Most furniture pieces contain classical motifs like columns, urns and lyres.

4. It adheres to the delicate construction of the previous style maintaining grace and delicacy in all its design.

The Louis XVI furniture style is very much used and applied in today's home decorating. Its simplicity yet delicacy and elegance appeals to today's decorating requirements.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Furniture Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

The Furniture Style Of the Brothers Adam

Although Chippendale was the first of the great Georgian Cabinetmakers, he was quickly followed by other famous figures, among whom are the brothers Robert and James Adam. Robert Adam was born in 1728. He studied architecture in Italy and also explored the uncovered ruins of the Roman Empire. These created his interest in the classical designs brought about by the discovery of these ancient ruins. He became the leader of the Classical Revival - England's neo classical period. Upon his return to London he published a book dedicated to King George III.

This book contains paintings, plans and explanations of these Roman ruins. He drew inspiration for his own work from Roman, Greek and Etruscan designs. He was such a distinguished architect that he was appointed architect to the king. He was replaced by his brother James when he resigned from his post. They were good businessmen as well and together they ventured into buildings and real estate that brought them both wealth and fame. They achieved a total revolution in furniture design. They advocated lightness and grace in furniture design. They eliminated the bulky designs of the previous periods. They replaced the ornate curvature of the Chippendale designs with the straight lines of Roman columns. Although the style of the Brothers Adam is similar to the neoclassical style of Louis XVI, both styles evolved independently from each other. Both styles were influenced heavily by the excavation of the Roman ruins.

The following are the characteristics very identifiable to the Adam design.

1. The legs are straight and fluted like the Roman columns. Unlike its French counterpart, it doesn't have the square box with carved rosette at the top of the legs, which makes it easily distinguishable from the neoclassical design of Louis XVI. It is far more delicate that the French design.

2. The chair back usually has the classical motif like the shape of a Greek lyre. Other typical Adam chair back designs are the delicate open "Spokes" design and the Shield shape design.

3. The use of classical motifs that later became the standard for many English designs that followed. These motifs are used everywhere not just in furniture. These are also applied in fireplace mantels, walls and ceilings. They are often painted in casepieces aside from being defined in relief where the motifs are usually vases and urns.

Robert and James Adam were both architects and their greatest achievement was designing rooms not just furniture. They were the first to come up with the concept of designing entire rooms not just a part of it and not just one or two pieces of furniture. Unlike other architects of their time, they did not only design the shape of the room but rather they get into the details. They designed the walls, ceiling, floors, doors and windows and oversaw the placement of every piece of furniture in the room. The Brothers Adam marked the beginning of a whole new style in English furniture and Architecture.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Furniture Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Dining Tables- From The Finest Teak Wood Furniture

For social entertaining, the first thing you think about is your home. After all, it is your stage. Your furniture pieces are your props and everything comes together. There is no more vital piece of teak wood furniture in social entertaining than the dining table. For centuries, the dining table has been the center of good food, fine wine and excellent conversations. A dining table is used for everything, not just foods. Having a teak wood furniture piece that brings elegance and functionality to your home is a must. Some might be thinking, "well, that kind of dining table is out of my league, price-wise". It doesn't have to be elegant, functional teak wood dining tables can be had for less than you think.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Not surprising. Shopping for teak wood furniture is not normally on a person's high list of things to shop for and dining tables are usually not even really thought about, even though they should be. Teak wood furniture pieces need to fit in the room, not only in size but also in the style, and you have to be sure that you are getting a teak dining table big enough for all your needs.

The first thing to think about when selecting your teak wood furniture is - does it make you feel comfortable? Not something you normally think about when looking for a teak wood dining table. You want to be able to enjoy sitting and having coffee or conversations over dinner and after without having to get up from your dining table. The way to do that is to make sure your teak wood furniture is comfortable. No matter what type you decide on - an informal dining table or a formal dining table - no matter what styles you choose - modern dining table or traditional dining table - make sure you've taken into consideration the needs that your teak wood furniture will have to fill.

Do you need an extendable dining table? This design of teak wood furniture is best for when you entertain occasionally but normally don't need that much dining space at your dinning table. Want to know for sure? Measure the room, and take those measurements with you. Anyone who is versed in selling teak wood furniture will be able to help you determine the right size dining table for your patio.

There are standard teak wood furniture measurements that will help. Each place setting should have two feet of space. Knowing this and the usual number of people you entertain, will go a long way in helping determine the size of table that will be right for you. Another thing to consider is if you wish to decorate with teak wood furniture, is, what is the average size of your centerpieces? This will help determine the width of your table. These measurements are a surefire way for you to find the perfect teak wood furniture piece for your application.

Our selections make it easy for you to enjoy classic teak furniture, a known facet of prestige and fashion. Teak wood furniture is the classic alternative for patio furniture and will always be so. Who deserves it better than you? Teak Furniture

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Stidolph

Changing Trends in Patio Furniture

Furniture trends today are global, with influences from all around the world. Furniture today has an international language, from Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and America. The international trends express sophistication to tropical luxury. This extensive influence brings with it both flexibility and simplicity resulting in the modern and contemporary designs. Contemporary is now a commonly used word to convey simplicity of form. The new contemporary furniture designs are modern, minimal, smooth lines, uncluttered, un-fussy, light, and clean.

For patio or garden there are plenty of materials used but teak has always been related with patio furniture because of its unique qualities. Most of the garden or park furniture found in England is made of teak. Teak furniture has been the preferred choice as garden furniture since decades because of the unique characteristics of the teak wood.

Teak garden furniture blends the style and design of your patio or garden with the practical durability and resistance to the harsh weather conditions and nicely constructed teak furniture lasts for generations. The designs offered by teak furniture manufacturers were mostly English designs most often called classical designs. These classic designs somehow do not fit in modern contemporary homes. More and more people were getting bored with the teak patio furniture mostly because of its designs. This made teak furniture makers to follow the new demand and adjust itself to the changing trends in the market place.

The good news for teak furniture manufacturers was that there are no hard and fast rules that must be adhered to when it comes to the latest furniture styles. Modern teak furniture should have the ultimate expression of form and function. This made teak furniture makers to manufacture products, which are simple in form yet functional. These new products of teak furniture were welcomed warmly by almost all teak lovers who wanted to have modern designs, which fits with their other home furniture. This gave rise to huge demand for modern contemporary patio furniture.

The most recent trend is to use a diverse blend of designs, with a strong international influence of ideas and options sourced from all over the globe. One of these trends is products made of stainless steel and teak. Stainless steel like teakwood is a long-term investment, as it takes less upkeep and lasts longer. It is fairly lightweight for the amount of strength it provides and is very easy to clean. It is available in a number of shades and styles, making it an aesthetically pleasing option. And, because it is corrosion and rust resistant, it has a much longer lifespan. In addition, stainless steel is 100% recyclable. 50% of new stainless steel is made from recycled stainless steel. This makes it a very environmentally friendly material. It can also be resold as scrap metal, adding that benefit to the investment.

Other outdoor materials like wrought iron, aluminum, synthetic wicker, sling fabrics, marble and stone are also blended with teak. These products have given ultra contemporary look to the teak patio furniture. However the sleek, simple and contemporary designs out of solid teak are still preferred by lot of teak lovers.

It is very important to study carefully before purchasing any of these products because of the difference in materials used. There are hundreds of synthetic wicker producers but only few reliable, proven brands. The stainless steel should be of specific grade for outdoor use and always look for Grade 304 or 316. The anodized or power coated aluminum is the right option for outdoor and one should pay close attention to materials used in any of these products.

The Author operates a teak furniture business. The company produces teak garden furniture of traditional and modern contemporary patio furniture designs. In his free time he designs unique designs of indoor teak furniture

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Firdous_Bhat

Mission Style Furniture - Get this Classic Look in Your Home

If you like your furniture built solid and built to last with no frills or needless embellishment, then Mission Style furniture is what you're looking for. The Mission or Arts and Crafts Movement was a backlash against the extravagant, over-the-top designs of the Victorian era and also against the mass produced furniture emerging after the industrial revolution. In the late 1890s, craftsmen such as Gustav Stickley led the charge to incorporate clean, geometric lines and natural materials to produce structurally sound pieces that emphasized the originality of the craftsman and his handiwork.

Telltale signs of Mission Style furniture include visible joints, such as the mortise and tenon that was popular at the time and continues to serve furniture makers today, as well as quarter-sawn wood which gave the grain a beautiful look. Nails and rivets were often left exposed to add a gleaming contrast to the wood or upholstery. While the philosophy seems to set-up decades of fabulously boring furniture, it was anything but. Rather, Mission furniture was beautifully designed, with manufacturers relying on exquisite craftsmanship and finishing techniques to add serene elegance to an item.

The Mission Style has been revived recently with many furniture manufacturers producing sturdier, solid wood pieces built to be passed on from generation to generation. This philosophy has been extended to much of the aesthetic of contemporary furniture. Clean, sharp geometric lines and a lack of ornamentation along with a renewed sense of pride in craftsmanship are present in much of today's furniture.

If you're interested in getting the Mission look in your home search out solid, rustic-looking pieces that appear to have aged well or newer pieces that look like they can stand the test of time. Rich wood tones like mahogany and stained oak are the trademarks of classic Mission Style, but modern pieces can be found in a wide array of colors, wood types, and finishes. Good luck as you work toward creating a beautiful Mission look in your home.

For a HUGE selection of bedroom furniture including beautiful modern platform beds visit GREENCulture.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_T._Allen

Painted Adirondack Chairs : A Classic and Traditional Choice in Patio Furniture

Many people are becoming aware of the tranquilities of relaxing outside. To enhance your relaxation experience outside you need to have a comfortable chair to rest your bottom. This is absolutely essential to get full enjoyment and be completely refreshed. To add a little style to your outdoor seating area the Adirondack chair is the perfect choice for you.

These chairs are extremely well crafted and made to last not only to be comfortable. You will not be required to use any added effort in order to maintain their superb character and longevity. The Adirondack chair is built to last a lifetime and continue year after year to keep you comfortable and able to get the most out of your backyard experience.

Because the Adirondack chairs are widely available in a multitude of colors you can purchase the best one to beautifully accent your existing outdoor décor. There are different styles and sizes that are available at stores through out the United States. The hardest part about buying a painted Adirondack chair is picking out just one color that you like above all the other colors.

The best solution to this problem is to find a few locations in your yard if the size permits to put different quaint little seating areas. This can allow you to enjoy all of the beauty in your back yard from different point of view thus giving you full relaxation. Also having painted Adirondack chairs in different sections of your yard will be more inviting for quests at a cookout or family function to engage in more intimate one on one conversations. This can often lead to your backyard being the talk of the town!

It is very surprising and uplifting at the transformation that takes place in your backyard after adding painted Adirondack chairs. One can almost see the aura of the backyard change right before your eyes, as the painted Adirondack chairs bring life, charisma and a little personality to it. By adding a new seating area to your existing backyard you will be able to enjoy not only the relaxing sounds of your yard but also the pleasant company of others. People will enjoy sitting outside for lengthier spans of time because the conversation is interesting but more importantly the seating is comfortable. Comfortable seating is essential when entertaining.

Let’s face it, no one wants to sit on a chair that is falling apart, or even a rusty broken down chair. So why not get the better crafted, nicer looking and most comfortable outdoor seating available? Keep your friends and family coming back to your house for their outdoor entertaining, and give them the comfort that they will remember.

As an owner of numerous niche decor sites specializing in Adirondack and patio furniture, Jennifer Akre gives the consumer a chance to find elegant and classic Adirondack chairs or outdoor patio furniture. Learn how to decorate your patio and home decor in style-Click today: Adirondack Furniture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre

Antique Furniture: Appealing to Your Aesthetic Tastes With Their Grandiose Designs

With the advent of the global economy, there has been a massive growth in the business of antique furniture and handicrafts in the export and domestic market. Thousands of antique collectible item providers worldwide claim to weave the architectural wonders of the classic ages with their extensive collection of classic furniture, classic antique lamps and antique chandeliers, antique accessories and other collectible items. While the serious antique collectors and museums have always been passionate about restoring heritage pieces and traditional architectural items encompassing history and classicism, the modern man has also been gradually conscious of the heritage of classic design furniture adapted to the needs of today. Therefore, the antique items today form part of his living room or dining hall, apart from being valued heritage items at museums worldwide.

The antique furniture items, including the classic English furniture, antique Continental furniture, antique Oriental furniture items (including the antique Chinese furniture, antique Japanese and antique Tibetan furniture), function as wonderful utility items as well as distinctive decorative pieces reflecting the art, culture and aesthetic flavor of the Medieval, Gothic and the Renaissance period. Antique furniture of the Gothic, Georgian, Medieval and Renaissance period generally comprises of a vast selection of cupboards, cabinets, tables, chairs, armoires, dressers, coffers and chests, benches, bookcases and mirrors. While the European, American and Continental antique furniture and collectibles characterize the western classic architectural essence, the antique Chinese furniture and antique Japanese furniture unfold the magic and charm of the mystic Oriental culture that is reflected in their intricate artistic carving and inlaid decoration.

While the antique lamps and chandeliers, with the vintage or figural hand-carved varieties used to be great sources of attraction and beauty in the mid eighteenth and nineteenth centuries all over Europe, the advent of electric lamps globally had ousted those and turned them to be mere museum pieces. Truly authentic antique electric lamps and chandeliers have very limited supply. Hundreds of antique providers today claim to supply beautiful hand cut European crystal lamps and chandeliers, which can complement any antique décor. You, however, have to be extremely prudent of your purchase of the authentic antique chandeliers and lamps from extremely reliable dealers and traders of antique lamp and chandeliers.

Today, the web world has come up with unique, innovative online storehouses, offering exclusive and exquisite inventory of antique furniture items, along with antique lamps and antique chandeliers. Many of these online antique furniture providers and dealers stock an inexhaustible selection of 18th and 19th century Country Furniture comprising of farmhouse tables in Oak and Fruitwoods and sets of Country Chairs such as Windsors, Ladders, Spindlebacks and so on. They claim to be online superstores of vast and diverse online antiques and collectibles encompassing a huge gamut of architecture, antique decorative items, antique paintings or fine arts collections, antique clocks, crockery, figurines, furniture, glassware and so on. No longer will you have to search frantically for reliable antique dealers, wholesalers and retailers for your purchase of rare antique English, antique French or antique Chinese furniture. With the click of the mouse, today you have a plethora of sites dealing with the online purchase of your favorite antique items through a vast and organized global network of antique dealers and suppliers that cater to the aesthetic tastes of diverse sections of the community.

Choose the most authentic antique site for the purchase of your favorite antique items. All of these sites will claim to provide you with the best deals. You, however, have to get armed with proper knowledge of the antiques before rushing for your purchase, as it is no trifle investment! Therefore, get your deals from only those antique dealers/providers on the net with adequate knowledge, expertize and experience in the arena of antique furniture and collectibles.

About the Author:

Lopa Bhattacharya (Banerjee) is a content writer/developer for overseas/Indian corporate website projects, CD-Rom presentations, brochures, flyers and other communication materials. Have worked on SEO copywriting projects on varied themes ranging from travel, hotel industry, photography, web design and software development to US-based clubs and network communities. Does freelance writing assignments for the print and web media featuring women, children, health, literature, art, and media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lopa_Bhattacharya

Where To Find Affordable Contemporary Furniture

I have been interested in contemporary interior design practically since I moved out of my parents house at the age of 18. Of course, at that time, I had no choice. The only furniture that was in my price range was offered by target or IKEA. I chose the latter. The slick modern furniture really let me make my home look good for a reasonable price. When I graduated college and started to make a bit of money, however, my interest in affordable contemporary furniture did not wane. On the contrary, it began to be my lifes passion.

Making furniture was far from my area of expertise, but I resolved to try. I cut back on my hours and began to study with a local furniture maker. Affordable contemporary furniture was not his forte. On the contrary, he made very expensive furniture for quite exclusive clients. However, the techniques that I learned from him would be invaluable. He was one of those old craftsman that you are always hearing about. Affordable contemporary furniture was furthest from his mind, but he made his chairs and tables with an attentiveness that is rarely seen nowadays. Studying with this classic furniture artisan would teach me more about making furniture than anything else I could do.

When I was finally done studying with him, I began an affordable contemporary furniture business on my own. I would not make the cheapest style of furniture – that available at places like Target or IKEA. Instead, I would make mid-level furniture, priced within the range of your average middle-class person, but built to last for years and years. I loved nothing better than making this affordable contemporary furniture. My favorite part of it was making contemporary living room furniture. I loved to make the couch, the coffee table, and the chairs all fit together seamlessly. I loved to think about furniture as a set, as opposed to a number of individual pieces. Although I was making less money than at my previous job, I was much happier.

It was not too long before the affordable contemporary furniture business picked up. Once I had established a name for myself among local clientele, the business was booming. I simply could not make enough affordable contemporary furniture. Now, I am hiring an apprentice of my own. The demand is too great, and I need someone else to work with me.

Harry Henderson runs his own home decorating company and writes articles and reviews for several websites as well as his own Low Priced Furniture resources website. http://www.homes-interiors-and-gardens.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harry_Henderson

Antique Furniture: Appealing to Your Aesthetic Tastes With Their Grandiose Designs!

With the advent of the global economy, there has been a massive growth in the business of antique furniture and handicrafts in the export and domestic market. Thousands of antique collectible item providers worldwide claim to weave the architectural wonders of the classic ages with their extensive collection of classic furniture, classic antique lamps and antique chandeliers, antique accessories and other collectible items. While the serious antique collectors and museums have always been passionate about restoring heritage pieces and traditional architectural items encompassing history and classicism, the modern man has also been gradually conscious of the heritage of classic design furniture adapted to the needs of today. Therefore, the antique items today form part of his living room or dining hall, apart from being valued heritage items at museums worldwide.

The antique furniture items, including the classic English furniture, antique Continental furniture, antique Oriental furniture items (including the antique Chinese furniture, antique Japanese and antique Tibetan furniture), function as wonderful utility items as well as distinctive decorative pieces reflecting the art, culture and aesthetic flavor of the Medieval, Gothic and the Renaissance period. Antique furniture of the Gothic, Georgian, Medieval and Renaissance period generally comprises of a vast selection of cupboards, cabinets, tables, chairs, armoires, dressers, coffers and chests, benches, bookcases and mirrors. While the European, American and Continental antique furniture and collectibles characterize the western classic architectural essence, the antique Chinese furniture and antique Japanese furniture unfold the magic and charm of the mystic Oriental culture that is reflected in their intricate artistic carving and inlaid decoration.

While the antique lamps and chandeliers, with the vintage or figural hand-carved varieties used to be great sources of attraction and beauty in the mid eighteenth and nineteenth centuries all over Europe, the advent of electric lamps globally had ousted those and turned them to be mere museum pieces. Truly authentic antique electric lamps and chandeliers have very limited supply. Hundreds of antique providers today claim to supply beautiful hand cut European crystal lamps and chandeliers, which can complement any antique décor. You, however, have to be extremely prudent of your purchase of the authentic antique chandeliers and lamps from extremely reliable dealers and traders of antique lamp and chandeliers.

Today, the web world has come up with unique, innovative online storehouses, offering exclusive and exquisite inventory of antique furniture items, along with antique lamps and antique chandeliers. Many of these online antique furniture providers and dealers stock an inexhaustible selection of 18th and 19th century Country Furniture comprising of farmhouse tables in Oak and Fruitwoods and sets of Country Chairs such as Windsors, Ladders, Spindlebacks and so on. They claim to be online superstores of vast and diverse online antiques and collectibles encompassing a huge gamut of architecture, antique decorative items, antique paintings or fine arts collections, antique clocks, crockery, figurines, furniture, glassware and so on. No longer will you have to search frantically for reliable antique dealers, wholesalers and retailers for your purchase of rare antique English, antique French or antique Chinese furniture. With the click of the mouse, today you have a plethora of sites dealing with the online purchase of your favorite antique items through a vast and organized global network of antique dealers and suppliers that cater to the aesthetic tastes of diverse sections of the community.

Choose the most authentic antique site for the purchase of your favorite antique items. All of these sites will claim to provide you with the best deals. You, however, have to get armed with proper knowledge of the antiques before rushing for your purchase, as it is no trifle investment! Therefore, get your deals from only those antique dealers/providers on the net with adequate knowledge, expertize and experience in the arena of antique furniture and collectibles.

About the Author:
Lopa Bhattacharya (Banerjee) is a content writer/developer for overseas/Indian corporate website projects, CD-Rom presentations, brochures, flyers and other communication materials. Have worked on SEO copywriting projects on varied themes ranging from travel, hotel industry, photography, web design and software development to US-based clubs and network communities. Does freelance writing assignments for the print and web media featuring women, children, health, literature, art, and media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lopa_Bhattacharya

Your Essential Knowledge - Primitive Antique Reproduction Furniture

Primitive antique reproduction furniture is a type of furniture that has been designed specifically to mirror the earliest furniture designs known to have existed. All primitive antique reproduction furniture closely mirrors the authentic primitive furniture out there so that you can get a taste of it in your own home as well as being able to fully experience the old and beautiful at an affordable price.

Regardless of what types of primitive antique reproduction furniture you invest in, there are several things you should know about it before you start:

1. Primitive antique reproduction furniture actually gains value over time. It is one of the very few reproduction furniture types that is guaranteed to increase in value over the years and can actually end up being substantially more that the initial fee that you paid for it. It therefore represents a good investment if you are looking to recoup your capital later.

2. Primitive antique reproduction furniture is readily available for anyone wanting to purchase it, regardless of where they live. Most good furniture stores will stock it because it is so popular. You do not even need to go to an antique store! The relative amount of time and effort you put into your search is minimal when compared with that you would have to put into finding other authentic and reproduction furniture. There is no search element involved at all.

3. You will get the best deals for primitive antique reproduction furniture online. Not only will you be able to view full descriptions, but you will also be able to purchase it over the Internet and have it delivered to your door. Of course, if you would rather view it in person then you have the option to do so but this means that nobody is excluded from owning primitive antique reproduction furniture regardless of how hectic a schedule may be.

4. You can choose from a huge range of primitive antique reproduction furniture pieces available. You have the choice of bedroom, dining room, patio, living room, kitchen and office furniture as well as numerous other pieces so it is easy to get carried away. Be aware of that whenever you plan to buy some, lest you go over budget.

5. Lastly, just be patient. Buying primitive antique reproduction furniture can take some time if you are looking for an investment and go about it the right way. Get a couple of expert opinions and do your research so you know exactly what it is that you are buying and exactly what it is worth. It is difficult to put a foot wrong when buying primitive antique reproduction furniture but make sure that you cover all of the bases anyway!

You can also find more info on Antique Furniture For Your Room and Antique Furniture Hardware. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

A Quick Guide To Mahogany Antique Reproduction Furniture

Mahogany furniture is a largely English furniture institution. Much of the antique furniture originating in the 18th Century was made of mahogany. Not only did it look extremely appealing, it was also widely known for its hard wearing and long lasting properties. As mahogany was not native to England, it was exported from Puerto Rico and Cuba for use in furniture making. However, it is extremely expensive today and is not commonly used for furniture. Antique mahogany furniture is also really expensive so if you are looking to decorate your home then you may want to investigate the possibility of buying mahogany antique reproduction furniture.

Mahogany antique reproduction furniture is beautiful as a result of its carved patterns and rich colouring. It can add character to any room and should be the focal point if it is purchased for your home. Mahogany antique reproduction furniture is very popular and can be used to great effect, regardless of whether you choose to purchase one piece or a whole house full.

Although you will not find mahogany antique reproduction furniture in regular antiques stores, there is still a huge market for it. Craftsmen that make the mahogany antique reproduction furniture are highly skilled individuals and give the pieces character and style. As a result, there are a number of stores that have snapped such pieces up to market them effectively. There are online and offline stores that stock mahogany antique reproduction furniture so it is easy enough to locate and not all that expensive to buy. As it is still made of mahogany it does have a fairly high price tag, but not nearly as high as the real thing.

The mahogany used to make mahogany antique reproduction furniture is actually imported from Africa so it should tell a tale in itself. However, by the time its gets you it has a completely different history.

Every piece of mahogany antique reproduction furniture is reliable and should last a lifetime or two. Most pieces are carved in great detail and are very pretty, especially if placed in the right place. The pieces are also functional and can be used in daily life. However, most mahogany antique reproduction furniture is in a more formal style and thus would do well in a room designed for entertaining, such as a dining room or office. Many designs appear in a Victorian style and thus can seem a bit overbearing at times. However, if combined with carpets and walls in lighter tones then it would go extremely well in any room of the house.

You should care for mahogany antique reproduction furniture in much the same way as you would authentic antique furniture, with a little tender loving care and a soft cloth! It can add value to your home and give it an individual flavour that most crave so enjoy it while you can!

You can also find more info on Antique Furniture Lighting and Antique Furniture Reproductions. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Sustainable Asian Furniture

To get the best quality Asian furniture its important to know how its made and what its made of. Poorly made furniture constructed of particle board and screws simply wont last and can look cheap. It is best to pick furniture that is made of real wood and uses mortise and tenon joinery for not only durability but style as well. But alas, like all good things, purchasing Asian furniture made from real wood has it draw backs too. Many Asian forests have been over harvested and destroyed to be used as fuel, building materials and more.

The good news is that the dramatic depletion in tree populations throughout Asia has not gone ignored. Some excellent organizations such as Rainforest-Alliance.org have been working to protect forests in Asia as well as world wide. Although illegal logging is still wide spread, many Asian countries have cut down on illegal harvesting through stiffer timber industry regulations as well as the creation of tree plantations to accommodate the continued need for wood

You can help the efforts by purchasing Asian furniture (and all wood products for that matter) from environmentally friendly furniture retailers and manufacturers. Make sure that the furniture you select is either made from plantation grown or reclaimed wood rather than wood from rainforests. By looking into where the wood comes from in the furniture your purchase you will not only be helping out Earth but will also be ensuring that the furniture your buying is top quality!

High quality furniture manufacturers are more likely to be using sustainable materials such as plantation grown wood or reclaimed wood. Cheap furniture makers often use particle board or illegally harvested wood, both of which are less expensive materials. Reclaimed wood in particular makes for very high quality furniture pieces because most wood becomes denser as it ages. Reclaimed wood comes from old warehouse, buildings, railways, bridges and more. Plus reclaimed wood has that antique appeal that many Asian furniture shoppers love!

So when your making you Asian furniture purchases do yourself and you planet a favor and only purchase pieces made from sustainable materials. You can find some beautiful Asian furniture pieces made from reclaimed teak furniture at www.tansu.net .

Ben Harvey Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_Harvey

An Introduction to Antique Furniture Part Two

Early forms of furniture were primitive items constructed quite often out of solid pieces of timber. Though quite ornate at times they were still fairly basic items that lacked the finesse of later centuries and manufacturers.

It was during the 17th and 18th Centuries that Furniture Construction as we know more of it nowadays came into its own. With the appearance of Thomas Chippendale (1718-19) furniture manufacture became more sophisticated in its design and execution with finely executed joints and a carcase (body of the item of furniture) that was as well made as the façade.

However as with all things, the prohibitive cost of craftsmanship meant that by the late 19th Century suppliers of Furniture were looking at techniques that could help bring the cost of manufacture down to more manageable and cost efficient proportions and hence the introduction of the earliest forms of machine assisted furniture.

For the purpose of this article we will be looking at Furniture from the following aspects: Pegged Construction and Drawer Construction, and then in the next article a detailed look at styles of two items of furniture, Chairs and Tables.

Pegged Construction

Until the early 18th Century, furniture was constructed by and large using a “Pegged” or “Joined” technique using Mortise-and-Tenon joints held together held together quite often just by wooden pegs or dowels and on very rare occasions, nails.

As you can imagine the earliest forms of pegs were quite primitive in their manufacture and acted more like wedges and tended to tighten the joints they were hammered into.

Quite often, as the years would go by these joints and pegs would find themselves being pushed out of shape and this is quite often an indicator of firstly, how old a piece is and secondly how well cared for an item of furniture is with the appearance of these joints.

Drawer Construction

Early Drawers were characterised by the thick sides or linings which were usually channelled so that they could run on bars or runners fixed to the sides of the carcase. As you can imagine these developed quite considerably as the items of furniture or drawers that they were designed to support became more and more delicate and sophisticated. From the 17th Century onwards as with other forms of furniture, the practice of just using simple pegs and runners all but died out to be replaced by more sophisticated runners being placed beneath rather than at the sides of the drawers.

I am often asked as to why a study of furniture is so important? Will it solve the Worlds ills, can it help solve World Poverty (yes if the stuff is manufactured in the right places at the right costs but that is another matter)?

Well the answer primarily to all of the above questions is by and large no but as in all these cases the situation is like anything that relates to the study of History. By only correctly understanding where we have come from, how we arrived here and what we did, can we begin to have any real hope of moving forward without repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

As to how important furniture is?

Well what else would you sit and write on?

About The Author

Stephen Morgan is an independent journalist with an interest in Antiques (http://www.absolutelyancient.com ) Collectables (http://www.definitelycollectable.com and Memorabilia (http://www.absolutelyantique.us).

Home Decorating Ideas For Different Furniture Styles

Have you ever thought about the many different furniture styles? Probably you have ever watched a program TV, where they showed people how to update an entire room of your house; let’s say the living room or bedroom. You can also read everywhere about the rustic style or about the Italian designs. However, do you know really what do these styles mean? We go deep into the different styles, which are the most demanded around the globe. Let’s start:

+ Rustic: This style is known because the using of natural materials. The pieces of furniture included into the rustic designs use to be handcrafted, with a strong cultural and regional touch in their pieces. Rustic style also brings to any home the feeling of begin more comfortable. It also reflects to be on most of their instances, casual tends, which makes it more personal than other styles.

+ Antique: Antique furniture styles are characterized by European interior houses designs. What is very important to point up is the fact of antique furniture is commonly made to be used, not displayed. This makes of antique designs look boring or without further interesting additions, such as fancy details.

+ Modern: What we need to know about modern furniture is the clean lines that offers to the room itself. Modern styles for interior designs are often made of vinyl, plastic or chrome. These materials came up around the 50’s, and since then they have found a place into modern houses, as the standard.

+ European furniture

This style of furniture can be roughly split in 3 main branches: Italian, English and French. We begin by the Italian, because it is becoming very popular over the last decade for US citizens. Why? because the Italian style offer a wide range of materials to choose from, from wood up to marble, stone or fabric. Furniture pieces into the Italian furniture are ornate as well as large, sometimes using Roman sculpture and architecture. We go then to the French style. If you like crowed decorating prices of furniture, French is definitely yours. It often includes designs, elaborated and perhaps handcrafted with detailed carvings, with highly ornate patterns.

+ Fancy details with English furniture

The English furniture has been always made of woods, including principally walnut, oak or mahogany. This styles is very close to the American rustic one, due to its fancy details and the use of natural colors. The predominant color used on these pieces of furniture used to be is dark or natural colors. However, it depends on the era you base the English decoration. In the current world, there exist so many styles, materials and furniture designs, and it is evolving year after year. All type of influences comes up every day on furniture designers, and changes in the technology of materials affect directly on the new home decorating ideas.

About The Author

Adam Peters contributes adding articles to an online home decorating and interior design magazine. Your guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Adam will inspire you to capture the look you wish. Find further information on decorating and design at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com.

Antique Furniture Hardware Product Restoration - Extend The Life Of Your Furniture

Anyone with even the most minimal knowledge of antiques will know that they have to be treasured and well looked after. Being over a hundred years old, they will need regular restoration as well as routine cleaning whatever your use for them. Eventually they will also need antique furniture hardware product restoration to save them from irreparable damage. Think of it as surgery for furniture!

Antique furniture hardware product restoration is a chore simply because it may prove impossible to get hold of the parts needed to actually complete the process. Doorknobs, latches, hinges, hooks and chest lifts are all rare unless you manage to get lucky and find a dealer with a similar piece that is irreparable. Despite the availability status of the parts you need, there are still some essential nuggets of knowledge you should know before attempting antique furniture hardware product restoration.

1. Always search for the materials you need for antique furniture hardware product restoration from home. Availability may mean that trawling the various shops is a complete waste of time. Try calling local antique dealers and stores and then contact those further away if need be. You could also try searching on the Internet. Always narrow your search to those that specialise in the era of your particular piece first as they will often yield more success.

2. Be prepared to travel to pick up the materials you need for antique furniture hardware product restoration. You may want to have the parts mailed to you if they are found in another country, but always be prepared to do anything to protect your investment.

3. Ask a professional for advice. Antique furniture hardware product restoration is a complex process and it only takes one small mistake to permanently ruin your piece so make sure that you seek advice and maybe the services of a professional. Several experts would be prepared to give you quotes so check up on them before selecting a man for the job if you do not want to attempt it yourself.

4. Be prepared to pay out. Antique furniture hardware product restoration is an expensive business. It is usually worth every penny to save your investment but you should be prepared for a hefty bill.

There is one golden rule when it comes to looking after your pieces of antique furniture. Prevention is better than cure. This is the golden rule and following these tips may just help you to prevent the need for antique furniture hardware product restoration arising:
1. Establish a routine and stick to it as far as cleaning goes. Always use a soft cloth to wipe down antique furniture once or twice a week.
2. Wax every antique piece you have every two months with a small measure of furniture wax. This will prevent build up and keep your furniture healthy.
3. Keep antiques out of direct sunlight because they may fade.
4. Do not use any harsh solvents, detergents or polishes because the chemicals may just stain it permanently.

You can also find more information on Italian Antique Furniture and Antique Furniture Dealers. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

French Antique Furniture In The UK- Combine The Best Of French And British!

French antique furniture in the UK provides a surprising attraction for antique and bargain hunters from all over the world. Stores in London especially stock a wide range of antique furniture that any collector would love to extensively examine! However, shopping for French antique furniture in the UK can prove problematic if you live elsewhere in the world.

Any good collector of antiques would know better than to buy French antique furniture in the UK without actually viewing it first. After all, images on websites and in brochures do not show up weaknesses and scratches as well as a personal viewing will. Images can hide all manner of sins, but the human eye can reveal them just as quickly! If a damaged antique was to arrive on your doorstep you would be angry and disappointed, but viewing French antique furniture in the UK may prove to be a problem.

You can actually tell a lot from images and websites if you know what you are looking for and know how to interpret language so it may take a bit of research on your part before you are fully ready to buy French antique furniture in the UK.

Take the opportunity of looking at photographs sent by an antique dealer if you do get opportunity to buy French antique furniture in the UK. It may be worth commissioning your own photographer rather than relying on the dealer, but either way you should ask for photos taken from every possible angle. Light will fall on the object differently at every given angle so you will be able to spot any imperfections or flaws. If you think you spot one but are not sure then ask!

After viewing French antique furniture in the UK via photograph, ask a local dealer to go and have a look at the object, value it for you and then report back. Their opinion will more likely than not be accurate, which can help you to decide whether or not to purchase the item.

Buying French antique furniture in the UK has never been as easy as it is now with the advent of the Internet. Some antiques stores offer a virtual tour from all angles so you can manoeuvre around the store yourself and examine the pieces in high detail, just as if you were there. This is in fact the next best thing because it is in real time rather than being pre-recorded. If you are completely satisfied with an item and have to have it, you can then purchase it online and have it delivered to your door.

Anyone looking for French antique furniture in the UK should take advantage of any opportunity they get to actually examine valuable items. They are extremely popular and so technology may ensure that you are able to purchase an item more quickly than someone in the store. Take every opportunity that comes your way because often French antique furniture in the UK will have you falling head over heels in love

You can also find more info on Antique Oak Furniture and Antique pine Furniture. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Antique White Bedroom Furniture - Enhance The Elegance Of Your Bedroom

There are several extremely popular types of antique bedroom furniture at any given time, usually in line with the fashions of the day, but one type seems to remain as popular as it has ever been amongst consumers. Antique white bedroom furniture has a universal appeal because it is different and can brighten up what would otherwise be a dark and dingy bedroom.

Other bedroom furniture comes in a rainbow of browns. Everything from mahogany to walnut to oak usually makes it into a bedroom but can make it seem smaller somehow, not to mention overbearing, and antique white furniture marks a distinct difference. It is undoubtedly unique and thus is definitely more difficult to find. Its popularity does not help with this problem but could potentially raise its value even further.

Antique white bedroom furniture does not have one particular and definitive style. It can be found in a wide range of designs so that you can personally select one that matches your tastes and home décor. The fact that it is different in colour means that it gives a room a better, lighter quality than most bedroom furniture and adds an elegance to every room that is hard to create from scratch.

Antique white bedroom furniture combines European and American styles. This combination makes it completely different to anything that has ever been created before, although it has been subjected to a few attempted recreations since. It has an innate sense of style that can fit in with most individual tastes so very few people actually dislike it. Most antique furnitures are an acquired taste but antique white furniture is not too hard to get used to!

Some antique styles can prove to be very expensive but antique white bedroom furniture is in fact more affordable than the majority of its competition. There is the opportunity to pick up some real bargains. Although there are some very expensive antique white furniture sets around, at least this gives you the choice. You can choose the set that best fits your budget so you do not have to break the bank to enhance your home with antique white bedroom furniture and neither do you have to compromise on quality. Whatever combination you are looking for, you can get it!

Antique white bedroom furniture is neutral in colour, shape and designs and so will fit into any bedroom and quickly become a household asset. It will blend in well with existing décor and can be used to create a warmth and safe environment for children as well as adults. In short, antique white bedroom furniture is about as perfect as it gets so enjoy it!

You can also find more info on Italian Antique Furniture and Antique Furniture Dealers. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

A Quick Guide To Cleaning Antique Furniture

Antique furniture is most definitely an asset. Anyone owning a piece of antique furniture may be able to command thousand for that one individual item of furniture, which is why more and more individuals are choosing to invest in it at the moment. Of course value and worth all depend on a number of factors that are associated with the furniture itself.

The type of word, design, style and the era in which it was made are just a few of those factors. However, you can do something to preserve your investment by cleaning antique furniture correctly and at the right intervals. This is therefore your quick three-step guide to cleaning antique furniture.

Step One: Avoiding Dust Degradation.

When cleaning antique furniture, ensure that it becomes part of your regular routine quickly so that you do not neglect it in any way. You should always dust it every few days, once a week at the very least. You should never use any kind of dusting device though, lest it scratch it. A soft cloth is perfect for this purpose. Do not use any sprays of any kind on it and that includes regular furniture polish because the chemicals that are used in those formulas to repel dust and grime can actually damage your investment by staining the wood or causing weak spots. Cleaning antique furniture should be about preserving it rather than adding to the wear and tear!

There are certain polishes that you can use when cleaning antique furniture. Orange oil is good for cleaning antique furniture once a week. You should then polish it with furniture wax once every couple of months. Applying a thin coat will encourage it to shine without causing a wax build up.

Step Two: Protecting The Wood

Cleaning antique furniture can damage the wood if it is not done correctly so make sure that you protect it at all times. For example, mop up any spillages immediately and never rest anything on it directly that could possibly scratch it. If you spill water, simply wiping it off immediately would protect the wood but solvents should be treated with care. Cleaning antique furniture in this instance would require dabbing the stain with a soft cloth until all of the solvent has been removed. Wiping it away would cause more damage.

Also, protect your wood by ensuring that it never stands in the glare of direct sunlight. This can discolour it and cause it to fade, and no amount of cleaning antique furniture will be able to solve that problem.

Step Three: Optimum Environmental Factors

Always make sure that your home provides the optimum environment for your pieces. Cleaning antique furniture is all well and good but will not be able to protect it against the elements. Ensure that your house is a constant temperature

all year round. If that means investing in a humidifier then so be it. It is worth that little bit extra to protect your own larger investment. This will stabilise the air and make sure that cleaning antique furniture will have the desired effect of preservation throughout the years.

You can also find more info on Chinese Antique Furniture and English Antique Furniture. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.c

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Antique Furniture Hardware Product Restoration - Extend The Life Of Your Furniture

Anyone with even the most minimal knowledge of antiques will know that they have to be treasured and well looked after. Being over a hundred years old, they will need regular restoration as well as routine cleaning whatever your use for them. Eventually they will also need antique furniture hardware product restoration to save them from irreparable damage. Think of it as surgery for furniture!

Antique furniture hardware product restoration is a chore simply because it may prove impossible to get hold of the parts needed to actually complete the process. Doorknobs, latches, hinges, hooks and chest lifts are all rare unless you manage to get lucky and find a dealer with a similar piece that is irreparable. Despite the availability status of the parts you need, there are still some essential nuggets of knowledge you should know before attempting antique furniture hardware product restoration.

1. Always search for the materials you need for antique furniture hardware product restoration from home. Availability may mean that trawling the various shops is a complete waste of time. Try calling local antique dealers and stores and then contact those further away if need be. You could also try searching on the Internet. Always narrow your search to those that specialise in the era of your particular piece first as they will often yield more success.

2. Be prepared to travel to pick up the materials you need for antique furniture hardware product restoration. You may want to have the parts mailed to you if they are found in another country, but always be prepared to do anything to protect your investment.

3. Ask a professional for advice. Antique furniture hardware product restoration is a complex process and it only takes one small mistake to permanently ruin your piece so make sure that you seek advice and maybe the services of a professional. Several experts would be prepared to give you quotes so check up on them before selecting a man for the job if you do not want to attempt it yourself.

4. Be prepared to pay out. Antique furniture hardware product restoration is an expensive business. It is usually worth every penny to save your investment but you should be prepared for a hefty bill.

There is one golden rule when it comes to looking after your pieces of antique furniture. Prevention is better than cure. This is the golden rule and following these tips may just help you to prevent the need for antique furniture hardware product restoration arising:
1. Establish a routine and stick to it as far as cleaning goes. Always use a soft cloth to wipe down antique furniture once or twice a week.
2. Wax every antique piece you have every two months with a small measure of furniture wax. This will prevent build up and keep your furniture healthy.
3. Keep antiques out of direct sunlight because they may fade.
4. Do not use any harsh solvents, detergents or polishes because the chemicals may just stain it permanently.

You can also find more information on Italian Antique Furniture and Antique Furniture Dealers. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Details of Fake Antique Furniture

The best way to protect yourself from losing money on fake furniture is still your own study and familiarization with the materials, construction styles and the styles of your chosen period. It is also important to get into the nitty-gritty details to be absolutely sure of your purchase.

If your furniture is made of wood, you should expect some shrinkage. If the sides are too perfect, they may not be as old as the dealer claims them to be. Large boards were commonly used because lumber was much more abundant in the old days. As a result, many tables and chests were often made with a single large board and the other parts were cut in awkward shapes to minimize wasted wood. Furniture made out of maple, cherry and pine should be inspected closely. Fake antiques have different wood grains in different parts of the piece because they most likely used different kinds of wood (as lumber is harder to come by these days), hence there will be different grains. If a dealer says that you are buying something made out of old pine, be careful. Many supposedly antique pine furniture pieces have been made out of old pine floorboards. You will get antique wood, but not an antique piece. This principle is applied in all other wooden furniture.

Check the color of the piece. A typical yellow color is noticeable in antique furniture because the wood's patina "glows" with years of polishing. The color should not also be even because carving and groves will be darker than the exposed surfaces. If the wood does not have the patina of age and the dealer claims it is quite old, you are looking at a sure fake.

View the entire piece for balance. If a part looks out of place, it may be a "marriage" of old boards on a newer piece. A "marriage" is a piece made out of separate items and these are always less desirable than an intact piece, so refrain from buying these. When buying furniture with legs, a genuine antique piece should be well crafted to stand sting and proudly while the surrounding wood is expected to shrink a little. Also, feel the piece with your hands. The smoothing plane was not invented yet, so an old board feels very different from a modern, machine-planed one.

Check the dovetail joints on pieces that claim be made earlier than the 19th century. If they are too sleek and clean, they are most likely to be cut by modern tools when they should have been cut by hand. Also, take a close look at the veneers on pieces that date earlier than the 19th century. They should be thicker than machine cut veneers. Remember that all wood was sawn and separated by hand until the late 18th century when the circular saw was invented. If the piece was sawn by hand, it should bear straight or circular saw marks that are quite visible on the wooden surface.

Check the handles. Handles are important in dating a piece, but it is more common to find pieces with replaced handles. Antique handles were cast by hand from a single piece of metal, usually brass. The nuts that attached the handles in the 18th century are irregular and circular. Newer nuts are hexagonal and machine-cut.

Inspect the locks. Antique locks are made of wrought iron that were held in place by iron nails. After the 18th century, locks were made of steel and brass. Steel screws also replaced iron nails.

Check the carving: an original and complete carving on your piece adds to the price and desirability. If your carving was added with other carvings on a later date, the value of the piece is lesser. If your furniture has inlay, your piece can also have a greater value as it gets older.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Antiques Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Essential Knowledge About Antique Paine Furniture

Anyone who has a minimal interest in antique furniture will know that there are many types of furniture to choose from. If you are seriously considering investing in antiques as a source of profit then you really should do your research. A specific kind of antique that you should look into is antique Paine furniture.

Antique Paine furniture was made by the Paine company and has a number of unique characteristics that make it a beautiful addition to any home. It was made in Boston in the late 1800s and is highly sought after today.

Antique Paine furniture is more valuable than a lot of other antique furniture types purely because it is in demand. Paine himself was a master craftsman and made the most beautiful furniture. It is steadfast, reliable and still serviceable over a hundred years on. Although your initial outlay can be quite large, you would be comforted to know that it actually becomes more and more valuable as the years go on so a piece in good condition can actually double in price within the space of a few years.

Antique Paine furniture can be obtained for any given room in a house. The family business made patio, dining room, bedroom and living room furniture amongst other items and so it is viable that you could fill your home with antique Paine furniture. It would certainly be a different and expensive theme, but a theme nevertheless!

It is worth taking time over the antique Paine furniture pieces that you will eventually choose because they will prove to be focal points of your home. They automatically attract attention because of their gorgeous colour and fantastic design. You should exercise patience if you on a limited budget because there may be several items that take your eye when you can only afford one or two.

Antique Paine furniture is extremely valuable so it may be worth assessing the value independently from the store that you plan to make a purchase from, just to double check that the value is actually as advertised. You should also check for any imperfections, as just one would significantly lower its value. A given price should reflect the condition and age of each individual antique Paine furniture piece so beware of any problems before handing over cash.

Buying any antique furniture is an investment today, whether you mean it to be or not. Antique Paine furniture is one of the types of antique that is worth ever penny. Beautiful and powerful, it can fit into any home and enhance it significantly with few problems. Have patience, buy the right piece and make the most out of it!

You can also find more info on Antique Furniture Dealers and Antique Furniture For Your Room. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

A Quick Guide To Cleaning Antique Furniture

Antique furniture is most definitely an asset. Anyone owning a piece of antique furniture may be able to command thousand for that one individual item of furniture, which is why more and more individuals are choosing to invest in it at the moment. Of course value and worth all depend on a number of factors that are associated with the furniture itself.

The type of word, design, style and the era in which it was made are just a few of those factors. However, you can do something to preserve your investment by cleaning antique furniture correctly and at the right intervals. This is therefore your quick three-step guide to cleaning antique furniture.

Step One: Avoiding Dust Degradation.

When cleaning antique furniture, ensure that it becomes part of your regular routine quickly so that you do not neglect it in any way. You should always dust it every few days, once a week at the very least. You should never use any kind of dusting device though, lest it scratch it. A soft cloth is perfect for this purpose. Do not use any sprays of any kind on it and that includes regular furniture polish because the chemicals that are used in those formulas to repel dust and grime can actually damage your investment by staining the wood or causing weak spots. Cleaning antique furniture should be about preserving it rather than adding to the wear and tear!

There are certain polishes that you can use when cleaning antique furniture. Orange oil is good for cleaning antique furniture once a week. You should then polish it with furniture wax once every couple of months. Applying a thin coat will encourage it to shine without causing a wax build up.

Step Two: Protecting The Wood

Cleaning antique furniture can damage the wood if it is not done correctly so make sure that you protect it at all times. For example, mop up any spillages immediately and never rest anything on it directly that could possibly scratch it. If you spill water, simply wiping it off immediately would protect the wood but solvents should be treated with care. Cleaning antique furniture in this instance would require dabbing the stain with a soft cloth until all of the solvent has been removed. Wiping it away would cause more damage.

Also, protect your wood by ensuring that it never stands in the glare of direct sunlight. This can discolour it and cause it to fade, and no amount of cleaning antique furniture will be able to solve that problem.

Step Three: Optimum Environmental Factors

Always make sure that your home provides the optimum environment for your pieces. Cleaning antique furniture is all well and good but will not be able to protect it against the elements. Ensure that your house is a constant temperature

all year round. If that means investing in a humidifier then so be it. It is worth that little bit extra to protect your own larger investment. This will stabilise the air and make sure that cleaning antique furniture will have the desired effect of preservation throughout the years.

You can also find more info on Chinese Antique Furniture and English Antique Furniture. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.c

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Antique Furniture In San Francisco - Finding The Best Antiques For You

Looking for the right antique for you in certain cities in the world can almost be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Some cities have very few antique stores and thus you have to really scour the streets for them. That is even before you begin to look at the types of antiques you would like to invest in. If you live in San Francisco you are one lucky collector! There is a wide range of stores selling antique furniture in San Francisco and many opportunities to be explored!

A quick flick through the Yellow Pages or an Internet search will tell you exactly how many stores selling antique furniture in San Francisco there actually are. Not only that, they will also give you a location and a quick description of any specialist interest or eras that they tend to hold within their inventory. You should be prepared to travel as a result. A journey will often yield positive results, as there are some real gems of antique furniture in San Francisco just waiting to be discovered.

You can actually narrow down your interest areas by looking at some of the stores selling antique furniture in San Francisco on the Internet. A large number of stores are now listing their inventories online in an attempt to attract more business. They may have images and descriptions of items on their website that will allow you to decide the type of piece that you are looking for. You may even spot the specific item that you desire. The next stage is then visiting the store to have a look at it in person.

Antique furniture in San Francisco is generally of a high quality but seeing the piece up close will help you to determine whether or not is indeed high quality and whether it is for you. You can check in all of the corners of the item in question for scratches, weakness and marks of any kind. A tiny mark would potentially devalue the piece by thousands of dollars so it is imperative that you are completely satisfied with the standard of the item that you are about to buy.

Antique dealers with nothing to hide will give you access to the piece and help you in your search for antique furniture in San Francisco. You never know, you just may find something you like, can afford and choose to invest. If you do not then you will still have a good idea of what it is you are looking for overall!

You can also find more information on Hardware For Antique Furniture Restoration and Replacement Hardware For Antique Furniture. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Faulkner

DETAILS OF FAKE ANTIQUE FURNITURE

The best way to protect yourself from losing money on fake furniture is still your own study and familiarization with the materials, construction styles and the styles of your chosen period. It is also important to get into the nitty-gritty details to be absolutely sure of your purchase.

If your furniture is made of wood, you should expect some shrinkage. If the sides are too perfect, they may not be as old as the dealer claims them to be. Large boards were commonly used because lumber was much more abundant in the old days. As a result, many tables and chests were often made with a single large board and the other parts were cut in awkward shapes to minimize wasted wood. Furniture made out of maple, cherry and pine should be inspected closely. Fake antiques have different wood grains in different parts of the piece because they most likely used different kinds of wood (as lumber is harder to come by these days), hence there will be different grains. If a dealer says that you are buying something made out of old pine, be careful. Many supposedly antique pine furniture pieces have been made out of old pine floorboards. You will get antique wood, but not an antique piece. This principle is applied in all other wooden furniture.

Check the color of the piece. A typical yellow color is noticeable in antique furniture because the wood's patina "glows" with years of polishing. The color should not also be even because carving and groves will be darker than the exposed surfaces. If the wood does not have the patina of age and the dealer claims it is quite old, you are looking at a sure fake.

View the entire piece for balance. If a part looks out of place, it may be a "marriage" of old boards on a newer piece. A "marriage" is a piece made out of separate items and these are always less desirable than an intact piece, so refrain from buying these. When buying furniture with legs, a genuine antique piece should be well crafted to stand sting and proudly while the surrounding wood is expected to shrink a little. Also, feel the piece with your hands. The smoothing plane was not invented yet, so an old board feels very different from a modern, machine-planed one.

Check the dovetail joints on pieces that claim be made earlier than the 19th century. If they are too sleek and clean, they are most likely to be cut by modern tools when they should have been cut by hand. Also, take a close look at the veneers on pieces that date earlier than the 19th century. They should be thicker than machine cut veneers. Remember that all wood was sawn and separated by hand until the late 18th century when the circular saw was invented. If the piece was sawn by hand, it should bear straight or circular saw marks that are quite visible on the wooden surface.

Check the handles. Handles are important in dating a piece, but it is more common to find pieces with replaced handles. Antique handles were cast by hand from a single piece of metal, usually brass. The nuts that attached the handles in the 18th century are irregular and circular. Newer nuts are hexagonal and machine-cut.

Inspect the locks. Antique locks are made of wrought iron that were held in place by iron nails. After the 18th century, locks were made of steel and brass. Steel screws also replaced iron nails.

Check the carving: an original and complete carving on your piece adds to the price and desirability. If your carving was added with other carvings on a later date, the value of the piece is lesser. If your furniture has inlay, your piece can also have a greater value as it gets older.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Antiques Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell