Antique furniture: luxury of the past in modern interiors (23 photos)

Lovers of antique furniture, acquiring insanely expensive home decoration, some seem eccentric. However, there is an inexplicable charm in homes with tables, chairs, sideboards, and chests of drawers dating back decades and even centuries. People living among such things have a different course of time and a different perception of life - such an atmosphere in the house, where there is old furniture, which is many times older than their owners.

Each century has left its mark on the features of furniture. The result of various trends and the development of industry has become increasingly sophisticated and comfortable objects that serve as a source of inspiration to modern masters.

The styles of antique furniture are briefly described below, but this is not a complete list. There are many styles that developed simultaneously with those described and are represented by such a small number of preserved objects that only serious experts on history and antiques know about them.

Interior styles (overview)

Gothic XII-XVI centuries, France

Jacobean can be attributed to this period of time; this furniture is heavy, distinctly medieval, made for centuries. Rich finishes, oak carvings. In England, the style of William and Mary developed simultaneously (you can see Chinese and Dutch influence), the furniture is varnished, it becomes soft, pillows are used.

Gothic features include:

• sharp lines;
• simple, even harsh thread;
• forms tending upward.

After the style went out of fashion, he continued to live in the works of masters, manifesting himself as individual elements.

Renaissance

The era that left a mark on the furniture is dynamic, which emphasizes the shape of the furniture. There are very few rarities of this period, however, in those that exist, the influence of Italian Renaissance artists can be traced.

Baroque of the XVII-XVIII centuries

This is an exquisite style, which is considered the most luxurious.

• Furniture made of precious wood, skillfully finished, only real craftsmen could create such complex and delicate ornaments.
• The graceful unique patterns that decorated everything (chairs, armchairs, secretaries) catch the eye.
• Mandatory cherubs, flowing lines, rounded shapes - all designed to emphasize the romantic mood of this period.

This antique furniture, more than ever, focused attention not only on its beauty, but also on the wealth of its owner.

Rococo

The style that arose in pre-revolutionary France is sometimes striking in its eccentricity, sometimes it seems too elaborate, however, Rococo furniture is always original. Perhaps they may seem somewhat overloaded with decorative details, but the complex shape with curved smooth lines, a lot of jewelry, gold and silver in the decoration are incredibly mesmerizing.

Chippendale

The English direction, which has a distinctive feature - bent lines of parts, legs near chairs and armchairs, support in the form of paws with balls. Direction with the development took on either a French accent or an Asian one, but in general it remained quite recognizable.

Louis XVI

An enduring style that will be popular with collectors of all time: antique furniture in straight and strict lines, reminiscent of strict antique classics (classicism).

English Empire Regency

The short period of the reign of Prince George left a tangible mark, which now has no price: an incredible combination of furniture elements that resonate with Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, China.

• A detail of this time: furniture handles in the form of a free ring, sometimes with a lion's head.
• The most expensive pieces of furniture were made of mahogany, decorated with veneer, ebony inserts and rosewood.
• Ancient mysterious symbols, Olympic and ancient Roman gods, griffins, lions, sphinxes, ancient shields and spears - wooden carved ornaments can be examined endlessly.

A characteristic feature - legs in the form of paws of animals and birds were sometimes made of metal, brass was used for decoration.

Imperial style

Having returned once, the classic no longer leaves the appearance of furniture. Interior items from the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte are proof of this. Clear straight lines, ornaments with eagles and swans. Often there are emblems with the letter "N". Antique furniture of this period, its sophisticated elitism was and remains a model of classical style.

Victorian style

Furniture begins to be produced in batches in large quantities, so interior items of this period can be found intact. A characteristic feature of this style is its incredible eclecticism and complexity. It includes everything, because it is a reflection of the era of rapid development of the country, industry, and trade. In old English houses and now there are antique furniture, cabinets of this period, and quite functional, in good condition.

Modern

A style that is already closer to modern thinking, pragmatism appears in it - straight lines that unobtrusively blend with smooth curves.

Art Deco

The logical continuation of Art Nouveau is simplicity, elegance. A harmonious combination of smoothness with sharp zigzags. Precious woods are used in combination with luxurious materials - snake and crocodile skin, velvet. Such furniture was used in the interior of the most expensive hotels, it was furnished with private liners. It was a symbol of wealth, prosperity, antique furniture really appreciate such furniture.

Antiques today

Sooner or later, a person interested in antiques will visit the idea of ​​acquiring genuine furniture art values. It should immediately be noted that not only antique furniture in itself is valuable, but also professional restoration, therefore it is important to turn to trusted professionals in order not to accidentally buy a remake made according to the sketches and aged. You also need to understand that this will amount to a significant amount - an old thing that has survived centuries can not be cheap.

The decision to buy an addition to the interior, such as antique furniture, testifies not only to a stable income, it is a certain way of thinking that forms communication with objects of art made by masters of the past.

Here you need to correctly distinguish between antiques, which are very expensive, require a lot of space, appropriate surroundings, and vintage style.

What is vintage?

Creating a vintage style house will cost much less - after all, things are considered to be at least 20 years old as vintage, this is not antique furniture in the full sense of the word. Obsolete items are combined with new things, give them a different look, find a new purpose, thus the old furniture gain a second youth.

Of course, vintage furniture will be cheaper, not to mention that the choice will be significant and affordable. Moreover, in this case, restoration can go in two ways: a thing can be restored or specially aged.Sometimes vintage things are just an example of art - so naturally they are turned into old ones.

Vintage furniture can be accentuated shabby, slightly worn, details can be a little rusty. All this meets the general mood of the direction.

The interior in a vintage style creates a special atmosphere in the house of a stop of time, gives a nostalgic and romantic note. An old sofa covered in unexpectedly bright new fabric, a table worn or artificially aged, a lamp from the last century - these accents can be made even with your own hands. A truly ancient thing, even several, may be present in such an interior, but they will have to be restored and given the desired appearance, in harmony with the general idea.

This style can be perfectly combined with country, the style of shabby chic, with American laconicism and a love of plenty of air.

You can take it simpler: antique furniture can be made in our time and artificially aged - these are not works of art, but comfortable and beautiful interior items that have an affordable price. It all depends on the idea that its owner embodies in his house.