Danish Rosewood Double Bed: From 20th Century Marks

Danish Rosewood Double Bed: From 20th Century Marks

Presented here is a beautiful piece crafted circa 1970 in Denmark; a double bed made in a modern style, in unexpectedly good condition. Though not an antique, this piece is not one to be looked over and certainly brings to the table its own redeeming characteristics in spite of this. In fact, it not being an antique is quite frankly the only unflattering detail one could likely conjure up about the thing.

 

Every piece bears with it reasons as to why it should certainly not be overlooked - undoubtedly this is especially important with regards to items which do not carry the title of antiques as they must boast bountiful character, utility and all-round aesthetic appeal; this double bed meets all of these criteria. With regards to character, this piece demonstrates plenty and is provided primarily by two notable characteristics; the material with which it was crafted and the shape in which it was made.
This double bed was crafted from rosewood, a wood which is famous for its resilience to wear and difficulty to work, though experienced craftsmen can utilize it to provide long lasting and choice items such as various pieces of high quality furniture as well as musical instruments; this provides a sense of ruggedness and dependability with regards to the nature of the bed frame itself. 

Additionally rosewood has quite an allure in terms of its deep reddish grain, exemplified well by the piece in question. The straight lines and right angles incorporated into the design are features which reflect a similar sentiment but are also notably characteristic of vintage, minimalist Scandinavian furniture, widely popular during the latter part of the 20th century and renowned for quality and modern design aesthetics. This bed frame is certainly utilitarian, the aforementioned straight lines make it an easy to fit item, as it will sit well against any straight walls large enough to accommodate its size; as well as this the piece features two build in bedside cabinets, these can house anything the owner desires both inside and atop them. 

Another useful feature one might disregard at first glance, would be the fact that underneath each of the cabinets is a space which will generally be high enough to provide uninhibited access to most electrical sockets. Finally, with regards to aesthetic appeal, there truly isn’t much to be said so much as to just instruct any buyer to take the time to observe the piece properly; the design is simply magnificent, the minimalist ideas with which the piece was made are prevalent and effective, turning this bed frame into something many would consider art. 

The well known quality and visual appeal of vintage Scandinavian furniture such as this bed frame are the main cause for its £1,850.00 price tag. It isn’t likely to break for a very long time, it’s an extremely handsome piece of furniture and it was crafted in a period where items like it and crafted in the same region were very popular and with good reason. This piece, subsequently, would make a fantastic addition to any home or collection. 

            

To enquire or for more details on this item, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/danish-rosewood-double-bed

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Gondola Sofa: from B & T Antiques

Gondola Sofa: from B & T Antiques

Photographed here, we have a stunning vintage gondola sofa; this piece was crafted circa 1950 amongst many highly regarded pieces of Scandinavian furniture, and most of these renowned works were crafted primarily with functionality in mind (likely as a subsequent result of newly acquired social attitudes following the second world war) and as a result often present themselves with modern design aesthetics. Though the forward thinking logic of Scandinavian designers is visible with regards to this piece, the overall look is more ambiguous than some others.

The piece was crafted from an unspecified wood; however, based on other such pieces of furniture from the era, it’s safe to say that it was likely crafted from rosewood or some other readily available hardwood. This assumption is supported by the fact that the properties of these woods offer both choice functionality, as these woods generally last significant lengths of time whilst showing minimal signs of wear in comparison to some soft woods e.g. teak, as well as a bountiful sense of visual pleasantry, stemming from gorgeous grain patterns and the general tendency of these woods taking well to some forms of lacquer. 

Vintage Scandinavian furniture was rather highly sought after during the latter part of the 20th century as it was known for the application of high quality woods and impressive utilitarian and simply beautiful design features. The exact same can be said for this gondola sofa; firstly, with regards to the use of high quality woods, it’s safe to assume that this sofa is no different, it has survived over half a century and the wooden components of the piece really do express minimal signs of wear, many more recent pieces could not have the same said for them. 

In terms of utility, this piece meets all required criteria: it looks very spacious and comfortable, the velvet covering provides a comfortable surface feel, the spaces either side of the curved arm rests provide ample space for a small table to partially sit under (should it not be able to fit otherwise) and the legs take up as small a space as possible for a sofa of this size. 

Finally, in terms of interesting and aesthetically pleasing design features, there is much that can be said; the beige velvet covering is simply exquisite and makes the sofa look very inviting, the smooth curved lines of the sofa are quite passive and as such make the sofa a very interesting and tasteful addition to the room it may find itself in, without dominating the overall look of the room as some sofas have a tendency of doing. Again with regards to the light curvature of the lines in which the sofa was crafted; they offer an almost ambiguous modern design. For a 1950s piece the design is undoubtedly modern in nature, however it certainly does not lend itself to either an antique or modern setting. This detail is probably the most impressive about this sofa and really expresses the genius of the renowned Scandinavian designers of the time, whilst also exemplifying why such pieces were so highly sought after. 

This piece is offered at a price of £2,800.00 and it’s clear why - though it is safe to assume the presence of a high wood quality in furniture such as this, it's the design which really sets this gondola sofa apart even from modern pieces of furniture. It takes an impressive thinking to draw up and create a piece that has features that lend themselves to either setting equally effectively; it is this characteristic especially which should make any buyer or home owner consider purchasing it.     

To inquire about this item, click here:

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Antique Deep Buttoned Leather Chesterfield Sofa: from Church Street Antiques

Antique Deep Buttoned Leather Chesterfield Sofa: from Church Street Antiques

Pictured here is an undeniably gorgeous piece of furniture, an antique deep buttoned leather Chesterfield sofa crafted circa 1930. Predominant characteristics of these sofas can be seen exemplified here in: the arms which rise to the same height as the back of the sofa, the leather upholstering and the tightly stuffed cushions. 

Often when it comes to furniture a picture is worth a thousand words and some pieces truly speak for themselves - the same can be said for this fabulous piece, it simply oozes character. Various details about this piece give it this character - the tone, for example, is a rich and moving brown; the incorporation of this colour gives the sofa the warm and inviting presence the perfect sofa should present. When one sits on their sofa they expect immediate comfort and relaxation, and when one looks at this one, they come to expect the very same. Additionally, the large, tightly stuffed cushions clearly offer a similar sense of sturdy comfort. The leather upholstering really adds to the personality to the sofa, by showing ruggedness and reliability, after all its having survived in incredible condition following almost a century of life clearly indicates that its of a high quality and is not easily affected by wear and tear.

But what really sets this sofa apart is that it seems to tell a story. It was crafted at a time of widespread British pride, the age of an empire and certain aspects of the sofa really do seem to reflect such sentiments. It’s large in stature and has an air of reliability and ruggedness, the same tough demeanour often characterised by the likes of Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria. The rich, brown tones of the upholstered leather represent the huge wealth acquired by the empire and the wealth the empire itself had come to represent in its vibrant lifetime. The tasteful curvature of the arms and the back represent the various great British minds in literature, the arts, science and numerous other fields. It is a quintessentially British couch and a marvellous example of one at that.

     

Why should this sofa attract the attention of a collector or even just someone lucky enough to have the opportunity of buying such an amazing piece? Because it is an item which would fit so perfectly into any home or collection. This chesterfield sofa is just such a wonderful specimen and one which wouldn't look out of place in the right type of modern setting; in fact, in one which doesn't totally alienate its vintage colour and style it would certainly be the single most eye-catching part of the entire room. 

This piece is offered at a price of £2,500, great value for a piece with such bountiful character, charm and handsome aesthetics, which any buyer would be lucky to add to their home or collection.

For this item, more details and to enquire, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/antique-deep-buttoned-leather-chesterfield-sofa

For more items from Stuart Shuster at Church Street Antiques, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/church-street-antiques

For Stuart Shuster's guest articles, click these links:
What is the 'Original' look in Antique Furniture?http://interiorboutiques.blogspot.com/2016/08/specialist-article-by-stuart-shuster.html
What makes an antique attractive to a customer?
http://interiorboutiques.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-makes-antique-attractive-to.html

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18th Century Chest of Drawers: from Les Trois Garçons

18th Century Chest of Drawers: from Les Trois Garçons

Shown here is a truly stunning piece, a Louis XVI chest of drawers, crafted in France of course circa 1790. This piece is in remarkable condition for such an item of such an age and is certainly worth a good look from the eyes of any buyer.

This chest of drawers is an incredibly beautiful piece, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is crafted from mahogany; a hardwood which is not only renowned for its durability, mahogany consistently provides the items it graces with an absolutely gorgeous tone, here, it presents itself with a deep and nutty brownish colour which really adds a warm and inviting aesthetic appeal to the overall look of the chest. Additionally, mahogany boasts a stunning natural grain, clearly visible in the photos provided.

The design also incorporates a lavish white marble top, the presence of marble will already almost guarantee a visually impressive piece, however what sets this piece apart is how the marble creates an incredible contrast with the rich tone of the mahogany. It is this contrast that creates a real sense of visual pleasantry obvious to any onlooker. Moreover, the piece is detailed throughout with brass, this is clear with regards to the gallery which holds the marble top. The brass doesn't disturb the wonderful contrast between the mahogany and the marble; rather it simply adds another colour to impress the viewer more so. The addition of brass to mahogany is also characteristic of the regency period. 

Quite frankly it would be almost a shame to see such a fantastic piece put to practical use again; this most certainly is a piece which should be added to a collection, as it simply stands out as an impressive item. The piece is crafted with very high quality materials, including mahogany. The incorporation of mahogany means this piece will remain in its owner’s collection for a substantial length of time whilst also surviving any wear it may be subject to. Additionally the presence of high quality materials makes a statement about and adds to the richness of the collection in which the chest may find itself in. Lastly, the chest is in excellent condition for an antique of its age, an impressive factor to anyone who might have the pleasure of viewing it.

This piece is offered at a price of £3,950.00; age, excellent workmanship in terms of its crafting, obviously the incorporation of such prestigious and handsome materials and overall condition are what constitutes the price of this antique and are also the factors which would make it a formidable addition to any well established or starting collection. 

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A Painted Glazed Bookcase: from Marchand Antiques

A Painted Glazed Bookcase: from Marchand Antiques

Pictured here is a marvelous piece, a painted and glazed book case cupboard originating from the Netherlands circa 1840. This bookcase cupboard features some details which would certainly make it a standout piece in any collection, for example: rich carvings, oak construction, age and despite light distressing to the coat of paint which covers it, still being in rather good condition. This piece is worth any buyer’s attention for a number of reasons; firstly, it’s oak construction makes it ideal in any household as it is a rugged and durable hardwood, this offers an ability to stand frequent usage, time and as a result will remain in relatively pleasant condition, after all it is over a hundred years old proving this fact regardless.
Additionally, of the intricate design features the piece presents, a few of them are truly eye-catching, the wonderful original carvings seen on the: three central columns, the corbels which top them and the three columns on the lower portion of the cupboard’s body. On the three central columns, we can observe a design of stunning interlinked circles which run down each column; this pattern gives the piece an even more beautiful and attractive look which may have gone amiss should they not have been carved there at all. At the top of each of these columns we have wonderfully carved corbels, further enhancing the piece’s intriguing nature. On the cupboard portion of the piece, we can see the same pattern of interlinking circles visible on the upper portion; however, on the two outer columns, these patterns lead to a handsomely carved griffin. Griffins were a common addition to many pieces and buildings throughout European history, a well known example being Notre Dame; here they make an incredible addition to the piece, one which would definitely reel in and attract any onlookers viewing it. Furthermore, the light grey coat of paint the bookcase cupboard bears is of a palette of light grey tones. Though lightly distressed this moving colour scheme and its wear are a testament to the cupboard itself, it was distressed naturally and not artificially, it gives the piece a character-oozing quality, providing it with a story and in a sense bringing it to life.

Evidently the piece is also not just a show piece; it could be useful in any number of roles. For example, the astragal glazed doors provide the viewer with a look at the contents of the bookcase whilst also providing protection for it, making it ideal in a showcasing role as well as its originally intended purpose. The cupboard portion can be used to store whatever its owner desires to and of course the bookcase serves its purpose perfectly. One could also take advantage of the natural quality of the oak with which the cupboard bookcase is made in the fact that it takes well to lacquer, the piece could be refurbished should the owner not appreciate its aged look and give it an entirely new one or even just touch up the old coat of paint to maintain the old look.

In conclusion, the piece is offered at a price of £2,650.00, for a piece with such allure, utility and age, it is worth any buyers look and would make a fantastic addition to any collection or home.

For more images and details of this piece, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/a-painted-glazed-bookcase

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American Vintage Sideboard: from Les Trois Garçons

American Vintage Sideboard: from Les Trois Garçons

Shown here, an intricately and skilfully crafted American Vintage sideboard; this specific piece was designed by Lane USA circa 1960.

This piece can be used in the place of a drawer as well as perhaps having more of a showcasing role in its owner’s home. This is due to the fact that it has 9 drawers which open at the front; these could store anything from clothes, to shoes or could even be, with some slight modification, converted into some type of extravagant and lavish wine rack. Effective showcasing can be achieved, simply by taking advantage of the lacquered finish on the top of the sideboard; onlookers will be enticed by the exquisite design features which adorn the front of sideboard itself only to find even more gorgeous items featured.
This piece is made from oak and therefore bears with it some advantages. For example, oak is a very durable wood and so will last longer and stand up to more rigorous usage than some other pieces of furniture crafted from softer woods, such as cedar or pine. Oak is a traditional type of wood often found in antique pieces of furniture and so will offer a great rustic look and make an excellent and eye-catching addition to any room with this such aesthetic. The wood also takes very well to lacquer; the top of the sideboard has been subject to such treatment and so expresses the sheer charm of the wood’s grain.  

The wood aside; the piece itself has many advantages to offer, mainly the frontal decor. On the forward facing side of the sideboard, we can observe a truly marvellous design; in a sense, it exemplifies the characteristics of the wood from which it was crafted, for example, the rigidity presented by the straight lines, express the sturdy quality of the oak. However, the variation of the line lengths, the breaks provided via the incorporation of a few differing shapes, and just the fact that it is such a stunning piece of wood work, reflect the wood’s natural allure.

To conclude, this piece is offered at a price of £4,800.00, due to its breathtaking design, the well maintained condition of this antique and the quality of the oak used. It would find itself a welcome and flattering addition to any collector’s home in any range of purposes.

To find more pieces from Les Trois Garçons on Interior Boutiques, click here:
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Grand-Scale 19th Century Mahogany Console

Grand-Scale 19th Century Mahogany Console

Photographed here, is a stunning 19^th century mahogany console crafted in Italy circa 1820, brought to Interior Boutiques from Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors. This piece has a rather modern design in comparison to some other pieces of its time and was restored at some point during its life.

This piece expresses some impressive wood work, this is observable in the smooth s-shaped curves of two out of its four legs and the absolutely stunning finish applied to the mahogany. Mahogany is a choice wood for its much sought after durability and gorgeous interlocking grain patterns, clearly this piece exemplifies both defining characteristics; the allure of the grain provided by the mahogany used is impressive at the least and the fact that it dates almost two centuries stands as a testament to the wood’s resilience. Additionally the piece features an exquisitely inlaid marble top; this only adds to the already well established beauty of the prime mahogany. The contrast between the cloudy white of the inlaid marble and the reddish-brown hue of the mahogany creates a sense of visual pleasantry only achieved by the utmost finest pieces of furniture. The tasteful choice of colour as well as the quality and reputation of the materials that compose this console will also play into the wealth this item reflects and will continue to reflect in any household or collection.

With regards to the console’s utility, it can serve appropriately in a range of purposes. Firstly, the console can be used as a desk, the height (H x132 cm) and width (W x 63cm) mean that an average office chair will fit nicely into the space created by the two curved legs and carved out portion of the lower platform. It could also be used to showcase any number of things, this purpose it serves extremely well as the aesthetic of the console itself being so handsome glorifies the item/s atop it, in addition to simply being an attractive showcasing platform regardless. An important detail to note is that the right angles and not overbearing size of the console make it a practical fit to most room corners and so is practical in terms of overall size, proportion and shape also. A final use for the console takes advantage of its prestigious look and impressive material quality in letting the console stand on its own and speak for itself as only so few pieces are able to do; this piece reflects richness, wealth and beauty, it’s this crucial characteristic which makes it such an eye-catching and impressive piece and by simply placing the console in any scenery suitable to it, collection or otherwise, it will create a sense of appreciation in the eyes of any people viewing it.


To conclude, this piece is offered at a price of £3,700.00, for an antique comprised of such high quality materials, coupled with masterful craftsmanship and a modern design in an old style, this is would make an excellent addition to any collection or home.

For more pieces from Lee Wright, click here:
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A Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet

A Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet: from Marchand Antiques

This piece is a bookcase cabinet constructed by Robert Heritage and Archie Shine for Heals of London circa 1959. It is entirely crafted from Rosewood and features five cupboard sections with removable shelves in the top tier, a large cupboard in the middle tier as well as four small draws and a cocktail cabinet, and finally on the lower tier are two large drawers and a smaller one.

This piece is highly utilitarian, the five cupboard sections could be used for any desired purpose but ultimately provide ample space for any storage type role and the large cupboard located in the middle portion of the bookcase cabinet can easily accommodate a flat-screen TV for example or anything with similar dimensions (for this specific application the sliding door is very useful as it offers protection for the contents of the cupboard in the middle tier). Of course this piece has more to offer, right of the cupboard in the middle tier are four small drawers which again can be used for any storage type role; right of these drawers one will find a fall front cocktail cabinet featuring a mirrored rear face and glass shelf. Continuing with this idea of utility, on the lower tier we find two large drawers capable of housing shoes, clothing, a cigar box perhaps, or whatever else its owner deems fit. Finally, on the right of these we find a final smaller drawer. This vast amount of storage space makes this piece a practical addition to any home, perhaps most well suited to a living room for the reasons previously outlined. 

Onto the more aesthetic side of this piece, the first thing to mention is the wood from which it was crafted, that being rosewood.  Rosewood is a hardwood commonly used in furniture, musical instruments, mathematical tools and various other applications; this is due to the fact that it offers not only rugged durability and relatively good shock resistance (making it ideal as a wood to use for practical a purpose as it doesn't wear easily) but also bears a truly stunning natural grain which we can see tastefully adorning the forward face of the bookcase cabinet. The dark brown tone of the wood, coupled with the cocktail cabinet and the wood’s grain provide a lavish rustic looking quality to an otherwise totally utilitarian piece and give it a more vibrant characteristic.
 


This piece is offered at £2,650.00, a great price for such a practical and beautiful piece and it doesn't go without saying that though it may have been designed half a century ago it wouldn't feel out of place and would in fact make a perfect addition to any modern home.   

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Specialist Article by Stuart Shuster - What is the Original Antique Look in Furniture?

Guest Editor - Stuart Shuster, from Church Street Antiques

Stuart has owned and run Church Street Antiques, in Marylebone's famous antiques district in London for over 30 years, and specialises in Edwardian, Victorian, English, French, 17th - 20th century furniture. Stuart has extensive expertise of this industry, and offers many services including buying, selling, restoring, commissioning and pricing pieces, as well as house clearances. He has a keen eye for antiques, particularly wooden furniture (especially mahogany, oak, beech, and kingwood), and has given us this piece about the 'antique look' - what is it? What is the most valuable? What should you do with your antique? Read on to hear Stuart's opinion on this very important topic. 

"It often amuses me as to what is considered ‘the original look’ in relation to antique furniture.

For instance, how do you make, say, an antique desk look original? Do you strip & polish it, so that it looks like it was when new 100 years ago? This, strictly speaking, is the original look but obviously it will look new, without a lot of character.  

 Or do you just gently clean the surface & polish over what’s there, giving the piece an older look, with loads of character?

It’s really all a question of taste.
One thing’s for sure, once the old patina has been stripped off, it can’t be replaced. Ask any period furniture dealer & they will tell you not to strip the item if it is period with good original patina, because you will not only lose all of the character but also most of the commercial value.

If the damage has already been done & the piece is devoid of character, then a very good polisher can probably French polish it in the traditional way, to give it a fairly nice look. There is nothing wrong with that & the item should look okay. But to be honest, there are not enough good polishers out there - or should I say a lot of antique dealers can’t really afford to pay for a good polishing job because the final asking price would be too high.

I suppose it’s all about offering a certain look, which will appeal to some & not to others.
I used to regularly exhibit at a very large antique fair where there was always one particular large stand with loads of genuine antique furniture - all of the pieces on this stand looked like they had been stripped with a belt sander & spray polished. Every piece of the furniture looked perfect. There were no indentations or any markings whatsoever. Everything looked new with absolutely no character. To my amazement, this stand always had a high turnover; they used to sell loads. They obviously had their own following.

Like I said, it’s all a question of taste." 

For Stuart's site, if you're searching for gorgeous Victorian furniture, especially large mahogany, oak, Burr walnut, leather pieces, Stuart has extensive and constantly-changing stock. Click here for his Interior Boutiques page to see his Boutique Shop:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/church-street-antiques

The three featured items in this article's images are linked here:
Antique Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk http://interiorboutiques.com/en/antique-victorian-mahogany-pedestal-desk
Antique French Walnut Salon Taupe Armchairs http://interiorboutiques.com/en/pair-of-antique-french-walnut-salon-taupe-armchairs
Antique Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet http://interiorboutiques.com/en/antique-burr-walnut-cocktail-drinks-cabinet

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