Antique tables Archives - The Crown Collection

Mixing antique tables into a modern décor story

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Adding antiques to contemporary spaces, Antique bedside tables, Antique desks for modern home office spaces, Antique dining tables, Antique tables, Mix and Match antique console tables in modern spaces, Mix antiques with modern decor|

From modern entryways and landings to lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, libraries and studies (i.e. any space in your home), antique tables – in all shapes, styles and sizes – step in as functional and beautiful standalone or accent pieces.

As far as antique tables go, you’re spoilt for choice, because no matter what space you’re trying to fill, there are console tables, coffee tables, bedside tables, dining tables, refectory tables, desks etc, to fit all décor briefs and individual style aesthetics.

Pick any antique table to make a statement; either as a visually heavy focal point or as a smaller element to bring interest and balance to minimalistic modern pieces in a room.

‘You are welcome’ | Console & centre tables

Console tables may have fallen out of fashion for a while, but they are back with a design bang, especially when adding a touch of antique furniture flair to a walk-through entryway or landing space. These (generally) smaller areas are crying out for a little drama and you cannot go wrong when creating a curated vignette with a narrow console table against the wall. They do double duty, complementing any mirror, artwork or gallery arrangement hung above them.

If you are fortunate enough to have a (larger) grand entrance hall or foyer, then round central tables are an eye-catching ’centrepiece’ and stately welcome to your home. Your styling options are limitless if you can showcase an antique centre table or drum table.

‘Let’s gather together’ | Dining tables

Designated dining rooms, or eat-in dining/kitchens, are places where meals are shared and memories are made. Antique (extendable) dining or refectory tables become the ultimate piece of furniture to ‘mix and match’ with contemporary chairs.

As a feature piece for years to come, dining tables are worth the investment. Blending the ‘traditional’ with modernity allows any homeowner or interior designer to seamlessly fuse the past with the present.

‘Fancy a cup of tea?’ | Coffee tables

There is probably no table as versatile and practical as a coffee table. A living room simply cannot work without one. And when you decide on an antique coffee table, the character of a space is instantly transformed.

As smaller anchoring showpieces, coffee tables are often the finishing touch to complement modern living room furniture. Depending on your interior style, coffee tables can be stained, bleached, painted, gilded, or kept natural, allowing you the flexibility to create a bespoke conversation piece and display moment.

‘Back to work’ | Antique desks

As the WFH (work from home) movement and hybrid work model have become more entrenched in our lives, antique desks offer themselves as designer solutions to remodelling your study or WFH space.

These beautifully crafted artisanal antique pieces beckon the muse and ensure productivity. With or without drawers, an antique desk serves as an eye-catching designer solution in your home office; the perfect contrast to a contemporary or minimalistic aesthetic.

‘And so to bed’ | Antique bedside tables

Modern bedrooms are probably one of the more complex areas to introduce antique pieces into the layout. But a subtle, yet whimsical nod to the past is to introduce antique bedside tables or pedestals. For a little eclectic charm – because these pieces are smaller – you can get away with them not matching.

An antique bedside table presents the perfect opportunity to have some personalised décor fun when flanking the bed and headboard; the focal points of the room. They also add warmth, layering, textural elements and an unexpected detailing to your bedroom. It’s then up to you to go maximalist or minimalist when styling them.

‘You are welcome to browse’ | The Crown Collection

Designing and dressing your modern spaces with antique tables presupposes a trip to The Crown Collection, South Africa’s largest décor store offering an impressive range of antique, French and contemporary furniture and accessories.

Our curated collection of antique tables (over 280 handpicked options) will have you wandering from room to room – online or in-store – to find just the one that not only speaks to you but will enhance your home.

Shop now or visit our studio at 20 Ballycale Drive, Bryanston.

Let’s gather around an antique table

Categories: Blog, Style|Tags: Antique tables, Drum tables, Refectory table, vintage & antique console tables|

Childhood nostalgia and happy memories will likely have a dining room or kitchen table at their centre; the heartbeat of family celebrations and friendly conversation. And whether it is a meal shared, dipping a rusk in a mug of coffee or a cup of tea (which solves all the world’s problems), a vintage or antique table is that quintessential piece of furniture that makes every room a better place.

Most interior designers are of the persuasion that a space is not a finished space without a table. And when it comes to vintage or antique tables, there are so many versions that fit the brief.

We’ve already dedicated an entire blog to mixing and matching modern and antique tables and chairs. But that is just for starters as there is an entire world of antique tables ready to provide the wow factor in any space or setting.

Because antique and vintage tables – of all shapes and sizes – cost much the same or less than new equivalent ones and also increase in value, they become a smart, sustainable and more interesting choice.

#1 Refectory tables

An antique refectory table is a large, long and robust table that has seating for many. They are a simple way to create beauty and presence in a room. You can go formal or casual, depending on the wood finish and the chairs or benches you decide to partner with them. A farmhouse aesthetic is ideal for a kitchen or outdoor patio or you can amp up the tradition in the dining room with sumptuously upholstered chairs. (Now all you need to do is sign up for that tablescaping masterclass).

#2 Drum tables

We almost feel like asking for a drum roll, as antique drum tables are ever worthy of decor applause and attention. Introduced in the late 18th century, a drum table was a circular table with a central support and was often fitted with drawers. They are versatile enough to serve many purposes – as functional or accent pieces – in any space; as an end table in a lounge (adding interest to straight-lined sofas), as a focal point in an entrance hall or as a nightstand/pedestal table in the bedroom.

#3 Library tables

Vintage library or antique reading tables are a rare and special find. Designed for writing and studying, they are the standard desk height and are generally rectangular in shape. Manufactured in a variety of solid wood options, they add instant glamour and a touch of historical luxury. They also do double duty as desks, consoles or work surfaces in any room.

#4 Console tables

Console tables are always on trend and are a home essential when it comes to a multi-tasking piece of furniture. Beloved by the 17th century French and Italian aristocracy as purely decorative items of furniture, they are now indispensable and loved as beautiful and functional pieces.

Antique console tables – gilded, marble, wooden, glass or wrought iron – come with just the right amount of ornate decorative detailing to become the hero accent decor piece against any wall (breaking up a long narrow hallway for visual interest), in any niche or in any setting. You can really have some eclectic fun placing them all over your house. They make the prettiest dressing tables in smaller rooms (just add a mirror), cocktail tables (gin and tonic anyone?), or accent tables behind a sofa.

#5 Occasional tables

Every home needs a vintage or antique occasional table dotted here and there as a side table, coffee table or pedestal table. Occasional tables are the little statement pieces that transform a space by creating unique visual interest. This is where you can go to town (or to The Crown Collection) and really mix it up with shapes, style and materials.

If you are asking yourself, “Why haven’t I added one of these antique tables to my home?”, the simple answer is you probably haven’t yet popped into The Crown Collection – South Africa’s largest emporium of vintage, antique and French furniture.

Shop online or pop in at our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston and start making memories around the table.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Make an entrance with antique & vintage furniture choices

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique & vintage rugs, Antique chairs, Antique furniture, Antique lamps, Antique tables, Chandeliers, VIntage art, Vintage furniture for entrance halls, Vintage mirrors|

Perhaps you shouldn’t ‘judge a book by its cover,’ but you can definitely judge a home by its entrance hall or foyer. And if you are fortunate to have one of these welcoming ‘walk through’ spaces, then you are in an enviable position of sourcing antique or vintage furniture pieces; the ideal accompaniment to any entrance hall.

Even though guests are not likely to spend a lot of time in your entrance hall, it is the introduction to your home; the unspoken first impression. Adding vintage or antique furniture pieces to an entryway will elevate the overall decor aesthetic and appeal of your home.

Mirror mirror on the wall

Mirrors certainly top our list of versatile antique or vintage pieces. There is not a room in your home that wouldn’t benefit from a vintage mirror and an entrance hall is just crying out for one. Not only will they give an expanded illusion of space but they also add functionality and your guests will always thank you. No matter what size mirror you choose, the transformation will be huge. (And who says you have to hang a mirror on the wall?).

Take a seat

If you have some dead space in your entrance hall, then adding one or two occasional chairs creates a tête-à-tête moment. You can go grand with dome chairs, elegant with upholstered chairs inspired by French kings or British queens, or simple with a couple of neo-classical stinkwood dining chairs or a fruitwood sandveld riempie bench. You may not sit in them, but the invitation to do so is tempting. Once again – you get to play with colour and pattern as these stand-alone pieces will create their own story.

Don’t be square

A round table is the perfect antique furniture piece for larger entrance halls. No matter what wood finish you choose, the casual elegance of an accessorised round table is unmatched. From fresh flowers in a statement vase to coffee table books and vintage objets d’art, the aesthetic can change whenever you like.

This is also the perfect time to mention that if you do have the space for a round (or square) table, then you also have the space to finish off your entryway vignette with an antique chandelier or vintage lantern. A chandelier – aka ‘decor jewellery’ for interior spaces – will be the ultimate finishing touch for your entrance hall.

Who let the dogs out?

Welcome your guests with a smile. An entrance hall can easily become a space for a little wit and whimsy; antique style. A couple of concrete dogs, a bust or mirrored obelisks will not go amiss in the entryway and are likely to be conversion starters as soon as your guests enter your home.

Light the way

Smaller and narrow antique console or sofa tables are the ultimate entrance hall solution for placing keys, handbags etc. But they also double-up as a display surface for that vintage desk lamp that you absolutely love or a pair of silver candelabras or candlesticks. The softer glow of a wall sconce or desk lamp (or two) adds immediate appeal as you enter your home – morning, noon and night.

A welcome rug

The best way to ‘roll out the red carpet’ for your guests is to place a time-tested vintage rug in your entryway. This colourful, patterned welcome not only defines the space but gives it presence, making guests pause as they enter your home.

Antique carpets and rugs have a long history and will add such warmth and richness to your entrance hall and are proven to handle lots of foot traffic.

The flat-woven elegant motifs and floral designs in earthy tones of Bessarabian kilims, the intricate and brightly coloured medallion designs of a Karabakh carpet or the 3-dimensional handmade tapestry weaving of a French Aubusson rug will add a timeless and classical narrative to any interior and are worth the investment.

A work of art

Adding vintage and antique pieces to an entrance hall couldn’t be simpler than hanging art. Art also makes a statement about who you are. Foyers are standalone spaces, making them the perfect areas to play around with furniture and accessories. And what better way than showcasing a statement artwork or a gallery wall of antique frames or vintage botanical prints?

Welcome to the Crown Collection

Inspiration for the entrance to your home starts at the Crown Collection, where a curated and handpicked collection of over 5000 antique and vintage furniture items awaits. Personalize your home by shopping online or visiting our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

Our professional onsite services include upholstery in fabrics of your choice, french polishing, hand gilding, paint techniques, bleaching furniture and staining in lighter or darker shades.

Browse all our collections.

5 Ways to Incorporate Antique Furniture into a Modern Kitchen

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique & vintage chandeliers, Antique & vintage clocks, Antique console table, Antique tables, Mix antiques with modern decor, Vintage silverware|

Antiques are not only rising in value, they are rising in popularity. Layering vintage and antique furniture with contemporary pieces and modern decor is a design trend aesthetic that has the industry excited. Decorating with antiques satisfies an innate need to feel a connection to the past, rooted in stories that have shaped the world we live in today. These slow furniture pieces, in a fast-paced world, hold immense charm and deserve to have a place in our homes.

But how do you incorporate these vintage items and antique furniture pieces into a modern space and still create a balance of old and new that is seamless, timeless and beautiful? How do you make it work?

Let’s look at the kitchen – the heart of the home – as a case study of how antique family heirlooms or collector’s items can ‘upcycle’ a contemporary kitchen with a touch of old-world charm.

Unless you are dealing with a complete renovation overhaul or building from scratch, a kitchen is one space in your home that you just have to live with.

Until now…

We have 5 reasons that will make you fall in love with your modern kitchen space and want to hang out there, and they all have to do with antique furniture and vintage pieces:

#1 Add a table

An antique table is the simplest way to add some unique character and personality to a modern kitchen. The juxtaposition of the warm wood tones against a sleek and minimalist kitchen backdrop creates an unexpected harmony that will keep family and guests gathered in that space.

An 18th/19th Century French farm table – with a bread drawer and a second drawer for your other needs – is perfect for a larger kitchen.

(And if that becomes your official dining space, then you will want to read our blog on mixing and matching contemporary and antique dining room tables and chairs).

#2 Add an island

If you have an open-plan kitchen that is crying out for an island, then think “antiques.” No matter what size your kitchen may be, you can introduce an antique console table or desk to fit the space. If you like, you can even spend a little more and add a granite or marble top to coordinate with your current kitchen work surfaces. This will be a “hero” piece and create some wow factor, no matter what the rest of your kitchen looks like.

#3 Add a chandelier (or two)

In the last few years, kitchens have morphed from being merely functional workspaces to places of design interest. Lighting has played a big role in this transformation. From pendant lights to centrepieces, this is where you can have fun in your kitchen. Depending on your budget, vintage or antique chandeliers will be the talk of your contemporary kitchen.

(A word of warning – chandeliers have the power to make you swoon, so the kitchen will not be the last place you add one of these glittering lovelies!).

#4 Add a clock

The kitchen is the one space in your home where a featured clock is a must. So why not go really big and add an antique grandfather clock to an empty wall? This is functional art in your kitchen and will be a definite statement piece and conversation starter.

Life’s rhythms of meal prep and family gatherings will be in perfect sync with the addition of a decorative vintage clock on the wall. There are no design rules with this one – you can be as eclectic or as traditional as you like – go Victorian with a pendulum winder or ornate Rococo.

An antique clock in your modern kitchen may be out of time, but it will never be out of place.

#5 Add some silver

Contemporary minimalist kitchens can become generic and clinical, hence the need for a little decadent decoration in the form of antique or vintage silverware. We are not talking clutter or OTT – the ‘less is more’ design principle still applies – but we are suggesting that a well thought out silver collection on open shelves, or perhaps a vintage wine cooler holding your kitchen utensils, are a perfect and effortless culinary nod to the past.

Add the Crown Collection to your online bookmarks

We could go on and on and suggest you add a versatile antique armoire to your kitchen to house your crockery and tablecloths, or even your pantry staples. But what we hope we have done is whet your appetite to visit our antique emporium – online or in-store (at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston).

With over 5000 handpicked and curated vintage and antique collectables on show, we cannot wait to see how you add a piece or two to your modern spaces.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]