Features of antique furniture, its pros and cons
Today, time moves at an incredible speed, and more and more new trends are appearing in the world of interior design. But antique furniture was and remains a sign of luxury and wealth. She is able to emphasize the individuality of the owner, his status and love for the beautiful, because most people can buy new-fashioned furniture and accessories, and old-fashioned is not available to everyone.
Advantages and disadvantages
Antiques displays the color that was used in antiquity. Such furniture was made with decorative carving inserts, which gave it special sophistication. For the manufacture of products used elite materials, such as mahogany or ebony. Such materials are difficult to find in the modern furniture market.
Previously, all interior items were hand-made, which makes them more valuable today. Masters taught this craft to their students, passing on to them knowledge that has come down to our time.
Antique furniture in the interior can last more than a dozen years, and with proper care - several centuries. Antiquaries are preserved to this day thanks to the correct restoration. Chic wooden furniture, made by yourself, has a special history, unlike its plastic and metal modern counterparts.
Massiveness is the main difference between Renaissance chairs. For women, they were made with a special long back with carving elements. In such chairs there were no armrests, which gave the lady the opportunity to stay in it in a luxurious dress. Bronze inserts added particular grandeur to the old products. Antique furniture for relaxing was very comfortable. She repeated the shape of the human body, which added comfort.
Deficiencies in antique furniture are hard to find. the only important point is to follow the care rules. If this is not done, then the design can quickly deteriorate, because antiques are not just an old sofa, wardrobe or chest of drawers, these things are more than 50 years old, and they require special care.
Varieties
There is a variety of antique furniture. Most often these are the following designs:
- tables - often have a rectangular shape with side shields connected by bars, instead of legs;
- chairs and armchairs - from the whole variety it is worth highlighting objects in the Renaissance style with octagonal seats. For upholstery used genuine leather or tapestry;
- chests of drawers - given that before all the furniture was made by hand, then rude elements are necessarily present on them;
- beds - the distinctive features of these items are the presence of a high back and canopy, decorated with various intricate elements;
- cabinets - their prototypes used to be ordinary chests placed vertically. Therefore, cabinets are often similar in shape.
Antique furniture is characterized by the use of wood as a material and the presence of iron bands between individual elements. Also, in the manufacture of wooden furniture, carvings were used, which made it possible to create skillful elements on the surface.
Styles
Connoisseurs of antiques know about styles. A decorated chest of drawers, a chic bed, a luxurious chair, an armchair - all this was an indispensable element of the interior in the old days. More common antiques in the following styles:
- classic - this style differs from others in its particular simplicity, sophistication;
- Gothic - carving, gilding, ornament - these are the main characteristics of this style;
- Baroque - furniture in this style, as a rule, was upholstered with tapestries, decorated with lions and ribbons. Also, one of the features of decoration is various patterns and curls;
- Romanism - this style of the XI-XIII century has never been particularly sophisticated. Most often, chests, stools, chairs were carried out in it;
- Renaissance - furniture in the Renaissance style was decorated with gilding and mosaic. In the second half of the 15th century, soft chairs and pilasters began to appear;
- in the Breton style there are elements of a rustic, only in a more refined form, which is perfectly demonstrated in the photo.
Care
The acquisition of antique furniture involves the skills of caring for it. If you do not take this moment into account, then she will not be able to serve for a long time. The first thing to remember is that antique furniture is strictly forbidden to move on the floor. Paint damaged during inept operation cannot be repaired.
From time to time, such furniture should be cleaned from dust, but you need to do this with a dry cloth. Wet cleaning is prohibited. After wiping, it is necessary to cover the surface with a special anti-dusting agent.
Do not wipe decorative parts or threaded elements with a napkin. This is done using a special brush or brush made of natural materials. Inserts made of bronze, brass or other metals are wiped with a liquid swab.
Modern cleaning products are not suitable for the care of antiques. Some of them can even harm expensive furniture, so you should be careful.
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