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

Recently, people are abandoning a lot of luxury items in favor of functionality. Modern interior design involves a minimum of details and a maximum of functions, but not everyone likes this practical attitude towards their own home. Antique furniture comes to the aid of lovers of luxurious interiors. Depending on the year of production, it can be combined with different interior styles.

Peculiarities

Antique furniture is, first and foremost, history. It is valuable for lovers of exquisite interiors or for people who want to keep family antiques in the form of furniture sets as souvenirs. Old furniture is usually wooden tables, cabinets, sofas and much more. The elements correspond to the Empire, Baroque and Rococo styles. The luxurious design makes these items very valuable for collectors or ordinary connoisseurs of that era.

The main difficulty is finding a well-preserved set of furniture. Unfortunately, in those days, woodworking products that preserved products in their original form had not yet been invented. Often, valuable items are stored in inappropriate conditions, they are abandoned in abandoned houses, taken away to the countryside as unnecessary, and at the same time they do not even imagine what value the item has served its purpose. Almost always, an antique set will require restoration before installation in a new home. The main defects of furniture stored in uncomfortable conditions:

• Rotting - oak products are less susceptible to this than all others, but when they are in rooms with high humidity, even good-quality sets begin to rot;
• Insects - they can cause complete destruction of wood. First of all, it is necessary to get rid of these pests and only then do the rest of the restoration;
• Scuffs - due to constant use, any surface deteriorates, the upholstery on chairs and sofas becomes unusable, and the surfaces of cabinets and chests of drawers become uneven and lose their former appearance;
• Cracks appear due to endless changes in humidity and temperature. Furniture stored in poor conditions will require lengthy restoration and elimination of cracks.

Unfortunately, a randomly found set cannot always be put in order, so such furniture is a real luxury item.

Antique-style furniture differs from standard cabinet sets primarily in design. It is he who creates in the room the unique atmosphere of a luxurious castle or the home of noble people.

But such elements are also made in the modern world, using the latest technologies, while designers give them the appearance of old furniture. Even if a chest of drawers or a sofa does not yet have a history, it is more durable due to new progressive technologies. Sets decorated with intricate carved patterns and equally interesting fittings are very popular.

This is interesting: Soft wall panels: safety at every corner (23 photos)

What is vintage?

Today, the phrase “vintage style” is used mainly as a designation for something old, but at the same time high-quality and beautiful.
In fact, the original meanings did not concern beauty or decor at all. Vintage (from the French vintage) is a good vintage wine of a certain age. The British use the same word to describe the process of harvesting grapes.

In the context of fashion, style, and design, vintage refers to old, well-preserved things (however, the reference to aged drinks remains here too).

It is the “aging”, or rather the age of items in vintage style, that distinguishes them from retro. The second word is modern imitation of antiquity. By the way, the era is another difference between vintage and retro style. In a general sense, vintage is older, covering the pre-war period (late XIX-early XX), retro - post-war, i.e. second half of XX. They also look different: vintage is still a more classic style, while retro developed along with bright art deco and modern modernism.

Which styles are best to use?

Antique furniture is used mainly in rooms decorated in retro, baroque or rococo style. This is not a rule. At the discretion of the designer, each set can be placed in any interior. If necessary, decorate old furniture, giving it the desired look. Familiar sets can be painted in Scandinavian style. Such furniture will look very harmonious in a modern interior. A person who does not understand antiquities is unlikely to distinguish between types of furniture, but connoisseurs will be able to easily determine whether an item belongs to one of the groups:

• Classic oak furniture - once upon a time, these sets were located in the houses and residences of wealthy people, delighting wealthy owners with their beauty. Furniture is found in long-abandoned houses, in private collections, among unsightly trinkets in markets. After reaching people who know its value, all elements require long-term restoration;
• Artificially aged furniture is a more budget-friendly option when designers age furniture using different technologies. To do this, you should not use old and outdated furniture. It would be much more logical to take a new and durable set. The elements are made from aged wood, which is then used to decorate other parts of the room. Antique furniture is a spectacular option for a chic interior;
• Furniture in the Old Russian style is a separate subspecies with which you can recreate the atmosphere of a fairy tale even in a city apartment. The furniture is distinguished by an abundance of carved elements without varnishing or polishing;
• Furniture made from old boards - materials worn out by time and poor treatment do not always become unusable. Brushed wood is often used in modern design. Old boards can serve their new owners well. A competent designer, modern wood protective materials can create an incredible interior. Old boards are very thick and durable. This allows them to maintain a presentable appearance after many years;
• For lovers of airy and light interiors, furniture in the Provence style is suitable - delicate and almost weightless-looking elements made of wood painted primarily in light tones. The style is consistent with upholstery made of soft and pleasant to the touch fabrics, carved bronze chandeliers and other signs of luxury. Each set seems like a doll, which makes the apartment fabulous and unusual. Aging furniture in the shabby chic style will help create a beautiful Provençal interior.

Provence style

Classic oak furniture

Artificially aged furniture

Old Russian style

From old boards

Wood finish

Laminate flooring that imitates old wood has a wide range of colors: from light white to dark and even black. This range of shades allows you to choose the ideal option for any interior.

Photo: architectureartdesigns.com

In an ordinary home, you can try to create the effect of a wooden ceiling.

Photo: architecturaldigest.com

The combination of a wooden floor and the same ceiling gives an unusual interior in warm colors, the coziness of which is difficult to replicate with other materials. It is more common to see such finishing in private houses, but it is also possible to do it in an apartment. The main thing is that the room has a large space and high ceilings.

Photo: decoist.com

Operating rules

Photos of old furniture look tempting, but soon after purchase the furniture may lose its old appearance. Proper operation will help prevent this. Ideal conditions:

• The air temperature is 17-24 degrees Celsius;
• Humidity about 60 percent;
• The sun's rays are not allowed to hit the surface;
• There are no heating devices in the immediate vicinity of the furniture.

The placement and removal of old furniture should be carried out by professionals who can protect it from damage.

To protect valuable specimens from termites, mold, wood-boring beetles and other parasites, special wood impregnations are used. They can be purchased in specialized stores, as well as on cabinetry supply websites.

The main criterion for long service is rightfully considered to be the caring attitude of the owners towards their property. Timely removal of dust, rubbing with wax and oil compositions help maintain the attractive appearance of antique products.

How to distinguish an original from a fake

Unscrupulous sellers are trying to sell a modern copy under the guise of an antique item. You can avoid this by remembering the signs of antique furniture:

• Unevenness. The drying of wood makes the dimensions of furniture made from it slightly different from the same measurements on the opposite side;
• No matter how hard the restorers try, cracks, chips and abrasions will be visible upon close inspection. An ordinary magnifying glass will help you find them;
• Uneven surface color. This is due to sunlight;
• Screws with a flat head have long ceased to be used; this sign can be considered reliable;
• For antique furniture, sellers must provide supporting certificates.

Every person wants to place elements of past eras with their own history in their home. They are chosen in specialized stores or at auctions. A restoration specialist will help you verify the originality of your purchase. Not every interior requires the presence of original sets; sometimes you can get by with just high-quality copies.

Before getting rid of old furniture and taking it to the country, you should ask about the history of each element. They may be valuable. If the owners want to update the interior, then decorating old furniture will be much more interesting than purchasing new ones. You can find ideas for changing the appearance on the Internet and decide for yourself which ones are suitable for working with antique furniture. When planning interior design, paper construction is used. This measure will help you choose options for arranging furniture, putting together a picture of the future room and assessing the overall appearance.

This is interesting: Interior design trends 2022 that you will want to know about (52 photos)

Interior styles (brief overview)

Gothic 12th-16th centuries, France

Jacobean can be attributed to this period of time; this furniture is heavy, distinctly medieval, made to last. Rich finish, oak carving. In England, the William and Mary style developed in parallel (Chinese and Dutch influence can be seen), furniture is varnished, softened, and pillows are used.

Antique furniture in the living room Antique furniture in country style

Gothic is characterized by the following features:

• sharp lines;
• simple, even harsh carving;
• upward shapes.

After the style went out of fashion, it continued to live in the works of masters, manifesting itself in individual elements.

Antique armchairs

Renaissance (Renaissance)

The era that left its mark on furniture is characterized by dynamism, which emphasizes the shapes of the furniture. There are very few rarities from this period, but those that exist show the influence of Italian Renaissance artists.

Baroque XVII-XVIII centuries

This is a sophisticated style that is considered the most luxurious.

• Furniture made of precious wood, skillfully finished; only real masters could create such complex and delicate ornaments.
• The elegant, unique patterns that decorated everything (chairs, armchairs, secretaries) are eye-catching.
• Cherubs, smooth lines, rounded shapes are required - everything is 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.

Antique Chinese style table

Rococo

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

Chippendale

The English style, which has a distinctive feature - curved lines of parts, legs of chairs and armchairs, supports in the form of paws with balls. As the direction developed, it acquired either a French or an Asian accent, but overall remained quite recognizable.

Antique chest of drawers in the interior

Louis XVI

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

English Empire style of the Regency era

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

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

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

Antique console table

Imperial style

Having once returned, the classics no longer leave the appearance of furniture. Interior items from the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte are proof of this. Clear straight lines, ornaments with eagles and swans. Emblems with the letter “N” are often found. Antique furniture of this period, its sophisticated elitism, was and remains an example of the classical style.

Victorian style

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

Antique furniture in the kitchen

Modern

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

Art Deco

The logical continuation of modernism is simplicity and 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 interiors of the most expensive hotels, and private liners were furnished with it. It was a symbol of wealth and prosperity; such furniture is highly valued by antique dealers.

Antique dining table

Photo

Candidates for return from attic exile

• Furniture and objects made of natural wood. If the item does not crumble into dust, it is worth reviving it: repairing or replacing fittings and fasteners. It is not necessary to use old furniture for its intended purpose. There are many options for transforming things: for example, a pot-bellied chest of drawers or a table with carved legs can become a stand for a sink.

• Suitcases and chests. An antique chest with iron staples is a treasure, an artist’s and designer’s dream. He deserves to move from the wilderness of the village to a city apartment. It can be turned into a coffee table - the main accent of the living room. It is convenient to store spare blankets and blankets in the bedroom. In the hallway, such a chest can serve as both a banquette and a shoe rack for high shoes.

• You can make anything from retro suitcases: a bedside table, a dressing table, and even a bed for a dog or cat.

• Waste paper, glass containers and other rubbish. Well, there is enough of this goodness at the dacha. Soviet newspapers and magazines, old books will also be useful to you. Decorating residential interiors with yellowed pages is experiencing a clear boom.
• Old newspapers can be used to replace wallpaper. Yes Yes exactly. Of course, the newspapers need to be cleaned and coated with a special varnish after sticking. And, of course, you shouldn’t cover the entire room with such “wallpaper.” One wall for contrast is okay. Such a retro accent would look great in the hallway, kitchen, or home work area.

• A newspaper page with an interesting report or news can be inserted into a glass frame to create a stylish artifact.

• We are returning Soviet carpets to the city.

Soviet carpets were most often made of wool, so they felt warm and cozy. Unlike the synthetic consumer goods of the 90s, carpets from the USSR era fit perfectly into a modern interior. The main thing is to create the right background for them.

• Glass jars, bottles and bottles should not be thrown away either. They make vases, lampshades, candlesticks, and beautiful storage containers.

Recommendations for selecting vintage furniture, appliances and plumbing fixtures?

In order for the vintage in the interior of the apartment to turn out authentic, you will have to visit all the flea markets and flea markets in the city, spend a lot of time searching for the necessary details on classifieds websites and in groups of like-minded people. But it's worth it!

Furniture

Characteristic features common to all vintage-style furniture:

1. Strength. Wooden cabinets and chests of drawers were made from solid wood.
2. Decorative. The products were decorated with carved details.
3. Epochal. If you doubt whether individual elements will fit together, check the production date. Things made at the same time harmonize perfectly.

To prevent the apartment from looking like a museum, select 1 main detail in each room, and match the rest to it:

• vintage in the bedroom is guaranteed by a wrought-iron bed;
• a wooden buffet or sideboard is appropriate in the kitchen;
• A vintage-style living room will be complemented by a massive chest or rocking chair.

The photo shows a vintage desktop

Technique

Since the main modern technology arose after the middle of the 20th century, vintage products are not provided in principle. So instead of styling a modern refrigerator or stove, just go for something that's inconspicuous.

In the kitchen, a built-in is appropriate; in the living room, the TV can also be hidden behind the doors - otherwise the plasma panel can destroy the entire perception of style.

Plumbing

Fortunately, furnishing your bathroom and toilet is not difficult. Manufacturers have separate “vintage” lines, which include:

• clawfoot baths;
• metal enameled or porcelain sinks on shaped stands;
• toilets with high hanging tanks;
• carved figured faucets.

A mirror in a beautiful copper frame and suitable accessories (brush holders, paper holders, shelves) will help complement the atmosphere.

Look at junk with an artist's eye

You may not find a stunning buffet in your attic. But you will collect a whole dump truck of broken chairs, faded masterpieces by unknown artists in carved frames, lace curtains covered with who knows what... Examine the finds carefully: an object can sparkle if you rid it of excess and spoilage. Feel free to be a cool-headed auditor. Take the beautiful parts, get rid of the old ones.

• You can cut handmade lace from holey curtains and sew it onto new curtains for the kitchen. Or place the lace in a beautiful frame under glass...

• Saw off the twisted legs from the rickety table, place them under the new tabletop - you will get an elegant coffee table. Or, conversely, use only the countertop.

• A cloudy picture or an old cabinet door is not at all pleasing to the eye, but a mirror in such an authentic frame just begs to be added to a modern apartment.

Resuscitation of “antiques”

If you like something, but its condition is deplorable, revive it: paint it, reupholster it, paint it with patterns, change the fittings.

Before painting, the furniture must be thoroughly cleaned, washed, the drawers covered with soda (to remove odors), and dried. Then sand, fill the uneven areas and prime. The labor-intensive sanding process (it's a hell of a job) can be skipped. Special adhesive primers have appeared in paint stores that allow the paint to adhere perfectly to any surface, even Soviet polished ones.

• If you can't decide on a paint color, choose light, pastel shades or white. Such furniture can easily fit into a modern environment.

• Sometimes partial staining or painting in different tones enhances the beauty of the item and its vintage style. For example, the tabletop can be coated with transparent oil so that the structure of old wood is visible, and the base and legs can be painted.

• Armchairs and chairs from the 70s are the most grateful clients of the reupholstery. They are quite strong, but the upholstery of those times is depressing; Soviet furniture makers used very dull colors. Choose a beautiful fabric, and the furniture will serve you for many years.

• Soviet furniture from the 70s and 80s (and there is most of it among dacha trash) is not so difficult to remake, because... it has simple shapes. Put the cabinet on wheels instead of legs, paint it with bright paint, add extravagant fittings - you will get an outstanding piece for a children's room or hallway. After such a rework, no one will say: “Why do you need this junk?” Such transformations are now in fashion.

• Unnecessary dressers and nightstands can be turned into dollhouses and kitchens for your children. You will need paint, toy dishes and a little imagination.

In the living room

The first and most important thing to remember when working with antiques is the game of contrasts. And the greater the contrasts, the more advantageous the antique item looks.

1
Place old cracked wood surfaces in close proximity to clean new mirrors, chrome elements, velvet and pure natural linen. Find the most honorable place for the antique item - in the center of the room or so that it can be seen from the entrance.

Antique carpentry can be difficult to restore. If you live in a house from the last century, think twice before replacing this rare beauty with MDF doors. Give them for restoration, and your apartment will acquire that chic that will simply be impossible to replicate using new materials.

Perhaps you have real treasures in a closet or attic at your dacha. Explore this area, and if you come across something worthwhile, be sure to find a place for it in your living room. This could be an antique watch, as in the photo above, decorative items, sculptures or something similar. Don't hide in the background what should be proudly displayed.

Furniture

Furniture made from aged wood is an absolute trend. Tables made of this material are very popular now. They not only add a decorative function to the interior, but are also convenient and practical to use. If you want to have an exclusive interior at home, you can order such a table from a master. It's expensive, but no one else will have a similar model. If this option is not for you, you can always buy a simpler table like this at a regular furniture store.

Photo: curbyourlitter.org

In the dining room

Antique items such as chandeliers or floor sculptures look especially good in the dining room. An antique chair at the head of the table, which is adjacent to a modern set of seats, can also become a striking accent.

If you are lucky enough to own a good quality dining room set, a little restoration will turn it into a masterpiece. New upholstery, painting with antique craquelure - and the job is done.

1
The upholstery of antique furniture can be deliberately lush. Use tapestry, velvet, velor. To support the vintage theme, it is good to use a mirror with an antique effect in a duet. The rest of the interior items in the room should be demonstratively new and modern.

Lighting options

At the time of the birth of the style, artificial lighting was just coming into homes. The light was dim, incandescent lamps interspersed with candles - so the overall picture can be called shaded.

If the task is absolute compliance, focus on a soft, warm, diffused glow. No white spotlights.

The photo shows vintage lamps

Chandeliers either have lampshades made of fabric with a print, or chic wrought iron ones, with “cup holders” reminiscent of candlesticks. One point per room will definitely not be enough, so in addition to the ceiling lighting, add floor lighting (floor lamp with frills), table or wall lighting (sconces for candelabra).

In the bathroom

In the bathroom, use old antique furniture, which is now practically not in mass production - pencil cases and storage cabinets with high legs and other artsy items. They will become the main decoration of your bathroom. You can support them with mixers in a classic design - here you should forget about a real rarity - functionality comes first.

In the fireplace

A fireplace room or just a place by the hearth - it doesn’t matter if you are the happy owner of an antique portal. Decorate it as you wish. You can, for example, create a holistic image of the hearth and use the antique design of figurines and frames standing on the fireplace. Or, on the contrary, you can again highlight the contrast with modernity and hang a fashionable print above the antique portal.