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.

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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.
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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

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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

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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.

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