What Is Shabby Chic Furniture?

Shabby chic furniture is a particular style that often involves using older or aged pieces of furniture in order to achieve a 'worn' appearance. The overall desired effect with this style of furniture is to achieve a timeless and elegant look. Much of the distressed furniture used in shabby chic is inspired by the types of pieces typically found in old country houses, where faded grandeur is part of their charm. The look can incorporate soft furnishings as well as furniture and can include materials as faded linen, lace and flowered prints.

If new items of furniture are bought, they are invariably distressed to make the furniture look older. The essence of the shabby chic style is furniture that looks worn but retains its elegance and beauty. The type of furniture used can derive from a number of design periods but French furniture from the last century really typifies the look. As French furniture from this period is so ornately carved, it fits in beautifully with other items of shabby chic furniture to create a really warm and cosy look.

If you're looking to feature this look in your own home, then the bedroom is a good place to start. As the most romantic room in the house, the distressed furniture that forms the soul of the shabby chic style will elevate your bedroom to that of a stylish country boudoir. Items of French furniture, such as an antique French bed, complemented by silk and satin cushions will really capture the inherent beauty of this style.

Of course, shabby chic furniture is ideal for other parts of the home as well. Distressed furniture such as vintage leather sofas and chairs can look stunning in a living room, particularly when combined with newer, more contemporary items. French furniture such as antique distressed dining tables can evoke an atmosphere of grandeur from long ago and this look can be used to enhance any room in your home.

Shabby chic furniture has really grown in popularity over the last couple of decades and it is easy to see why. It is a look that's easy to recreate and the distressed items and ornate French furniture, which are representative of the look, create a beautiful and relaxing ambience without feeling too pristine or untouchable. This combination of easy to care for materials and elegant style makes for a warm, cosy look that's as charming as it is practical.

Antique Furniture Shopping Tips

3 Tips to Getting a Fair Price

I love shopping for antique furniture for my home but years ago when I first started out, I really didn't know what I was doing and I'm sure I ended up paying more for some pieces than I should have. Shopping for antique tables, chairs, desks, and other furniture without paying more than you should is great fun but it can also be difficult and confusing unless you know some basic guidelines to help you come up with a fair price for both you and the seller. This article will give you some basic tips so you can determine the value of each piece allowing you to get the best deals.

First, do your homework in advance by reading and studying buying guides and auction sale lists for the type, manufacturer, and style of the furniture you are considering. When you find out the recent selling price of furniture you are interested in, you will gain a good understanding of the value of similar pieces that are currently for sale. Then, you can determine whether the price is something that makes sense.

Next, realize that there are two primary characteristics of an antique furniture piece that determine its value: Age and condition. Generally speaking, an older table or chair that is in pristine condition will fetch a higher price than a similar piece that is not as old or has scratches, dents, or stains. The good news though is that when you are looking to buy antique furniture that is not in mint condition, you have more negotiating room when talking price with the seller. So examine the piece carefully for a flaw since this will help you come up with what you think is a fair value and price.

Finally, the type of sales outlet in which you are shopping can greatly influence not only the asking price but the actual price you will pay for your antique furniture. A traditional store will often price items to reflect the condition of the piece, its history, and rarity. This is where your own knowledge based on your homework (see first tip above) will come into play so you know whether the price is in line when compared to the information you have gathered in advance. Alternatively, in a consignment shop, the owner may have priced the piece based solely on his own opinion of its value rather than market factors. In either case, always be open to making an offer based on your own determination of value. You will be surprised at how many times your offer will be accepted.

 

Armed with these tips, you fill find your antique furniture shopping excursions more adventuresome, more rewarding, and more fun. Keep in mind that prices are not set in stone and that haggling on price is part of the game. Start with a reasonable offer and many times you will find you are able to purchase your antique furniture for less than the sticker price. You will feel satisfied knowing you got a good deal at a fair price. As such, you will enjoy your antique furniture even more!

The Evolution of English Furniture Styles

Amongst this industry today, two key influences have been recognised upon the development of furniture; one being the materials that are made available to manufactures and secondly, customer demand. The fact is that fashion trends are constantly evolving (as is the case with clothing). However when the issue of furniture is raised amongst society, heavy comparisons are generally made between the types of antique furniture and modern furniture that are made available us within the market, today.

Many people in the present day tend to make a mockery of surviving antiques, and fail to appreciate their true value; surviving antiques are more often than not found in form of chairs, tables, wardrobes, a vast variety of different furnishings that would be suited all over the everyday, working home. Many fail to realise that antiques, of up to almost five hundred years old, are extremely durable and are completely safe to continue using today. People tend to wonder how it is even possible that furniture of such age and maturity can possibly last over a period of decades; the answer is simple; materials. Solid, top quality wood was once used to manufacture such furnishings, preparing them for everyday wear and tear. The very distinctive styles carved and imprinted in to the furnishings were also an example of the hard work and efforts but in to the manufacturing of these pieces. In such an era, fine craftsmanship was very much appreciated by consumers; due to this mass admiration, furnishings were in high demand due to the spectacular quality, durability and talent behind such sculptures.

As a result of this fine artistry, furniture, rather than regularly purchased, was instead passed down through the generations, keeping pieces within the family. As this furniture was able to withstand time, and wear and tear, furniture managed to accrue in value, right up until the end when they were no longer needed. During the Elizabethan era, oak was the key material used; using oak would ensure that furniture could endure a variety of harsh conditions it may have been exposed to. Furniture had a quality finish; all beds would have been built as a four-poster bed, complete with a canopy above and carved posts, boasting grandeur. In the seventeenth and eighteenth century, chest drawers had also been introduced to collections boasting gracious and decorative carvings. The popularity of such furniture became more and more evident as, what is still commonly known as the Queen Anne chair complete with curved lines exquisite upholstery and curiously shaped legs, dominated the majority furniture shops. However moving in to the twentieth century, carpenters began to make use of much finer woods such as walnut, mahogany, cherry and rosewood; such materials have now become very costly and having furniture made from such materials will not fair cheap.

At present the more popular materials used for the likes of kitchen furniture, dining room furniture and bedroom furniture sets would be chrome, PVC, plastic and glass, used in conjunction with a vast majority of colours. Laminating certain materials has now also become a cost effective solution to manufacturing furniture such as chairs and tables. This particular mechanism also allows for unique and exclusive designs to be produced with other materials. Also, the once popular armchair has now been refined as settees with padded cushions, making the most of a range of versatile textiles. Progression brings about change; however modern interiors do not necessarily suit every household. Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian properties still exist today and which define what a 'home' should be and how it should feel. Such properties will only benefit from interiors of the yesteryears.