Decorating
Expert Opinion: Does Antique Furniture Belong in Modern Homes?
Should we consign once-loved antiques to charity shops and auction rooms, or do these pieces still have a place in our homes?
Nothing fills an idle afternoon more enjoyably for many people than a browse through auction sale rooms. It opens interesting doors, not only into people’s lives and homes, but also into taste trends in furniture. Many auction houses handle the contents of deceased estate and judging by some surprisingly low sale prices, it’s clear there’s a type of antique and heirloom furniture nobody values anymore. These items, either bought decades ago as investment pieces or inherited from previous generations, often end up either under the hammer for a song or passed in. Houzz experts share their views on the antiques market, changing tastes and the place of antique furniture in today’s homes.
Professional opinions from:
Jessica Wallrock from Wallrocks, AAADA & CINOA
Jodie Cooper from Jodie Cooper Design
Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton+Mccabe Design Associates
Professional opinions from:
Jessica Wallrock from Wallrocks, AAADA & CINOA
Jodie Cooper from Jodie Cooper Design
Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton+Mccabe Design Associates
Generally, the antiques market took its share of bumps and bruises in the 2007/08 global recession, but the damage was not across the board. Mid-range antiques suffered, while high-end pieces held their value better. “We are placing more high-end antiques into contemporary and classical Australian homes than ever before,” Wallrock adds.
Browned off with brown
You may have heard the term ‘brown furniture’, and sensed that it’s not complimentary. Wallrock explains: “Brown furniture describes high Victorian, mahogany or cedar furniture that doesn’t incite passion in many people. Many Australians have grown up with this type of furniture and it’s often what they refer to when they describe antiques as ‘boring’ and ‘brown’.”
Many of these pieces fill auction rooms at what can be described as madly low prices relative to their quality and original cost. The contents of a historic NSW country homestead recently under the hammer had some beautiful pieces that went for ridiculously low prices: a twin pedestal leather-top mahogany desk with original brass drawer pulls at $100-150 was one example. There was also a stunning oval inlaid walnut occasional table that was priced at just $150-250.
You may have heard the term ‘brown furniture’, and sensed that it’s not complimentary. Wallrock explains: “Brown furniture describes high Victorian, mahogany or cedar furniture that doesn’t incite passion in many people. Many Australians have grown up with this type of furniture and it’s often what they refer to when they describe antiques as ‘boring’ and ‘brown’.”
Many of these pieces fill auction rooms at what can be described as madly low prices relative to their quality and original cost. The contents of a historic NSW country homestead recently under the hammer had some beautiful pieces that went for ridiculously low prices: a twin pedestal leather-top mahogany desk with original brass drawer pulls at $100-150 was one example. There was also a stunning oval inlaid walnut occasional table that was priced at just $150-250.
Fashion and function
Why these silly prices? Just as colours go in and out of favour, furniture tastes are also affected by fashion. Industrial, retro and vintage styles are popular, and with many interiors now embracing plywood, light timber and clean-lined furniture, designers often encounter the perception that antiques would be out of place. Jodie Cooper from Jodie Cooper Design says, “Trends travel so fast nowadays with the internet, and we are in the middle of a mid-century modern frenzy at the moment, as seen in shows like Mad Men.”
Other reasons for the glut of some antiques styles are too many downsizing baby boomers divesting themselves of pieces they’ve owned for a long time, and a huge range of affordable flat-pack one-stop-shop options in furniture superstores. These appeal to apartment renters and young homebuyers, who may have several moves ahead of them and don’t mind swapping out cheap furniture pieces for new items.
Why these silly prices? Just as colours go in and out of favour, furniture tastes are also affected by fashion. Industrial, retro and vintage styles are popular, and with many interiors now embracing plywood, light timber and clean-lined furniture, designers often encounter the perception that antiques would be out of place. Jodie Cooper from Jodie Cooper Design says, “Trends travel so fast nowadays with the internet, and we are in the middle of a mid-century modern frenzy at the moment, as seen in shows like Mad Men.”
Other reasons for the glut of some antiques styles are too many downsizing baby boomers divesting themselves of pieces they’ve owned for a long time, and a huge range of affordable flat-pack one-stop-shop options in furniture superstores. These appeal to apartment renters and young homebuyers, who may have several moves ahead of them and don’t mind swapping out cheap furniture pieces for new items.
Finally, there is a widely-held idea that antiques aren’t functional or are too big. Antique armoires no longer hold our massive television screens and built-in cabinetry has replaced free-standing pieces like kitchen cabinets and wardrobes. Cooper says, “our homes have changed from the traditional count of rooms – often including formal dining rooms – to more free-form layouts, and with that (comes) the need for lighter, movable, multi-purpose furniture.”
Inheritance or inconvenience?
Houzzer’s Design Dilemmas tell a typical story of people who have bought or inherited antique pieces trying to make them work alongside more modern pieces. “My wife has a dark wooden antique dining room table she would like to use but i’m not sure how well it will go with the modern kitchen,” one Houzzer posted. And, “I would like to mix older (antique) style furniture with modern... I know it works. I just am not sure…” another user wrote.
Houzzer’s Design Dilemmas tell a typical story of people who have bought or inherited antique pieces trying to make them work alongside more modern pieces. “My wife has a dark wooden antique dining room table she would like to use but i’m not sure how well it will go with the modern kitchen,” one Houzzer posted. And, “I would like to mix older (antique) style furniture with modern... I know it works. I just am not sure…” another user wrote.
Cooper says she often engages in ‘The Brown Furniture Debate’ when clients are moving into a new home. She has a ‘keep or heap’ strategy and sometimes convinces clients to keep a beautiful piece they didn’t think would sit well. “Does the piece not work with our design vision, but have great sentimental value? Keep,” she says. “Inherited family heirloom? Keep. However, if a client paid a high price and just doesn’t want to sell it for a low price, I suggest ‘heap’.”
How to integrate family heirlooms into your home
How to integrate family heirlooms into your home
Revamp, don’t replace
Wallrock suggests that some antiques may benefit from a facelift. “Antiques are the ultimate recyclable,” she says. “Victorian mahogany dining tables are being bleached, japanned or even polished white and sofas and armchairs re-covered in contemporary fabrics or casual linens.”
She explains the benefits of revamping over replacing. “The piece will still have intrinsic value and maintain value far better than a modern equivalent. If you have qualms, get advice from reputable dealers and have pieces restored so the value isn’t affected.”
Wallrock suggests that some antiques may benefit from a facelift. “Antiques are the ultimate recyclable,” she says. “Victorian mahogany dining tables are being bleached, japanned or even polished white and sofas and armchairs re-covered in contemporary fabrics or casual linens.”
She explains the benefits of revamping over replacing. “The piece will still have intrinsic value and maintain value far better than a modern equivalent. If you have qualms, get advice from reputable dealers and have pieces restored so the value isn’t affected.”
Painting is always an option too, but if the woodwork is beautifully time-mellowed and just the fabric is outdated and threadbare, bring the piece back to life with a modern fabric to enhance your decor.
Give an old chair a new lease on life
Give an old chair a new lease on life
Old and new, together at last
Mixing quality antiques with off-the-shelf pieces is common today, says Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton+Mccabe Design Associates. “By crafting a room so it’s clearly one style with accents of another, it won’t be visually confusing. To celebrate a beautiful piece, put it in a prominent position and accessorise to emphasise it without overshadowing it. Don’t put it with other pieces that compete for attention.”
Alternatively, to minimise a piece you’re keeping for sentimental reasons rather than for its design, place it less prominently and accessorise with enough simple, modern accessories to take focus away from it.
5 common mistakes made when combining old and new
Mixing quality antiques with off-the-shelf pieces is common today, says Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton+Mccabe Design Associates. “By crafting a room so it’s clearly one style with accents of another, it won’t be visually confusing. To celebrate a beautiful piece, put it in a prominent position and accessorise to emphasise it without overshadowing it. Don’t put it with other pieces that compete for attention.”
Alternatively, to minimise a piece you’re keeping for sentimental reasons rather than for its design, place it less prominently and accessorise with enough simple, modern accessories to take focus away from it.
5 common mistakes made when combining old and new
A modern environment actually enhances antiques, according to Wallrock. “They create a contrast and have more space to speak for themselves,” she says. “They bring warmth and soul to a stark modern interior.”
Cooper’s experience has shown that although design styles go through cycles, there will always be a place for interesting classic key pieces, especially those with a history. “I love mixing different styles and eras to personalise a home,” she says. “Balance dark timber with warm metals, glass coffee tables and light fabrics and rugs. A beautiful antique elm or red lacquer Chinese console with vintage Moroccan rugs and eclectic pendant lighting, now that’s my kind of fusion.”
How to make dark brown furniture fit into any scheme
Cooper’s experience has shown that although design styles go through cycles, there will always be a place for interesting classic key pieces, especially those with a history. “I love mixing different styles and eras to personalise a home,” she says. “Balance dark timber with warm metals, glass coffee tables and light fabrics and rugs. A beautiful antique elm or red lacquer Chinese console with vintage Moroccan rugs and eclectic pendant lighting, now that’s my kind of fusion.”
How to make dark brown furniture fit into any scheme
Wallrock is happy that more clients are now seeking unique handcrafted ‘hero’ pieces with a past, instead of sticking with off-the-shelf mass-produced items. Most pleasing for her is the increasing number of 30-somethings among these clients. “This mentality is starting to penetrate younger generations, clients who want something to pass on to their children, like a bed or sofa, something to make them smile years down the track.”
TELL US
Do you have a special antique piece you can’t part with? How have you incorporated it into your home? Share in the Comments section.
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TELL US
Do you have a special antique piece you can’t part with? How have you incorporated it into your home? Share in the Comments section.
MORE
My Houzz: A Treasure Trove Terrace Embraces Its Faded Glory
Second Best: 5 Reasons to Scour the Op Shops
How to Update an Old Chest of Drawers
Generalising about the antiques market is a risky business, according to Jessica Wallrock from Wallrocks antiques dealers, who is also a member of the AAADA (Australian Antique & Art Dealers Association). “Not all antiques are high quality, beautiful or valuable,” she says. “There’s a vast array of styles, each suitable to a different context. A lack of understanding, particularly in the Australian market, has led to a belief that all antique furniture is the same.”