What is your antique furniture persona?

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Do antique collectables characterise your home from room to room and wall to wall? Or do you prefer a mix-and-match approach, marrying antique and modern furniture to create a blended design statement? Perhaps you would describe yourself as a connoisseur of accent pieces. Whatever your home decor philosophy, antique furniture is always the solution, adding personality, bespoke character, one-of-a-kind charm and a sense of story to any space.

And when it comes to finding a carefully-curated selection of antique furniture reminiscent of first-class stores in Paris, London and New York, The Crown Collection is the one-stop-shop for any discerning buyer.

When considering how antique furniture can serve your design needs, speak to your lifestyle and complement your spaces, it is worth exploring your antique decor persona.

Are you a lover of antique furniture?

You don’t need a trip to Paris to create a French-style aesthetic in your home nor do you need to keep up with every modern design fad or trend to create a Top Billing interior. There’s something unique and timeless about antique furniture pieces and decorative accessories that set them apart from their contemporary counterparts.

Director of Marketing, Operations & Procurement at The Crown Collection, Jacqui Moskovitz, describes it as follows: “When we want furniture for our homes, we usually think of buying new items, but there are so many reasons why antiques and vintage pieces are a better buy. Antique and vintage furniture cost much the same as new furniture and increase in value, unlike new furniture. Not only are antiques a great investment, they have history, are beautiful and they never date.” 

antique furniture

Antiques are not inherently valuable simply because of their age (fine antique dealers consider objects 100 years and older to be antiques). Antiques can be viewed in a similar way to art; some are purchased for their investment value, while others are bought for their style, look, feel, depth and individuality. (Simply because you have fallen in love with a piece.)

This contrasts with vintage items, which are generally between 30 and 99 years old and unique to the specific era in which they were made. 

You may not fall into the ‘antique collector’ category, but as an antique furniture lover, you adore the idea of blending old and new to create a bold design statement. Adding a gilded antique mirror or crystal chandelier to an otherwise trendy entrance hall or dining room can elicit a sense of wonder. Or blending a modern chair with an antique desk will create a WFH space filled with character, thanks to a simple antique touch.

Are you an antique furniture collector?

If the past heritage and timeless decor beauty of antique furniture is not enough to make you want to style your entire home with them, their potential to increase in value over time certainly makes them irresistible. 

The allure of French and antique pieces is accentuated by their ability to appreciate over time. But what makes this possible? Next time you find yourself contemplating the purchase of a ‘collectable’, consider the following:

  1. Condition – if it contains dents, stains, discolouration and missing pieces, it’s unlikely to cash in for a high price. Looking after your antiques is essential for their longevity.
  2. Authenticity – is this piece the original or a replica? Do your research, know the materials and identify the manufacturer’s signature to confirm that it is genuine.
  3. Rarity – the fewer there are, the more valuable they become.

antique mirrors

Another characteristic that makes antique furniture enticing (particularly in light of the modern consumerist culture) is its sustainability and eco-friendliness.

Antiques leave a smaller footprint on our planet because of their longevity. In contrast to their mass-produced counterparts, antique furniture does not accumulate in our landfills when it is replaced by the next fashionable decor item. When they begin to deteriorate, antiques can be professionally restored or reupholstered to maintain their beauty and functionality (both of which are offered as a service at The Crown Collection)

Are you a connoisseur of one-of-a-kind pieces?

Antique furniture boasts quality craftsmanship, timeless trends and subtle storytelling that trumps the fluid nature of mass-produced furniture every time.

Sourcing antiques is the best way to create sophisticated layering, a rich decor story and an intrinsic charm in any space – whether it be your home or office.

And when in pursuit of a piece that’s unique, able to stand the test of time, a subject of conversation and a visual focal point, antiques tick all the boxes.

antique mirror headboard

Whether you’re looking for an antique mirror, occasional chair, armoire, chest of drawers, carpet or kist, The Crown Collection has an exclusive selection of options to complement modern or vintage styles. 

The Crown Collection – for the discerning buyer

Whatever your decor style – eclectic, traditional, contemporary, mid-century or romantic – a trip to The Crown Collection will assist in transporting you back in time through a curated treasure trove of over 5 000 hand-picked antiques.

Collectors, antique lovers or individuals seeking unique pieces will be spoilt for choice when visiting us online or in-store in Bryanston.

And if you want to alter the finish on your chosen antique furniture piece, our restoration team offers professional French polishing, hand gilding, paint techniques, bleaching and staining solutions. Our on-site upholstery service can help upgrade and personalise your purchase to suit your unique requirements.

Shop our selection of antique furniture today and transform your home.

 

Start with a Vintage or Antique Mirror – It’s Jewellery for Your Room

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No matter where you are in your antique journey, if you are wanting to add a touch of flair and an element of visual glam, then vintage or antique mirrors are a wonderful starting point for any space in your home – no matter what your overall design style may be. Doing double duty, mirrors are the perfect functional and aesthetic pieces and they are always fun to decorate with. Consider them jewellery for your room. 

Antique or vintage mirrors add a touch of drama and the theatrical as well as creating a beautiful harmony between the past and the present. You really cannot get decorating with a mirror wrong as every room deserves one; they reflect light, give the illusion of space and will instantly transform a wall. (Look no further than our blog on the language of antiquing to clarify the difference between the terms ‘antique’ and ‘vintage’).   

In the world of interior design, mirrors on the wall – be they antique or vintage –  are certainly the fairest of them all!

Choose your shape

This is where you really get to play as antique and vintage mirrors come in all shapes – round, square, oval, rectangle, hexagonal, diamond or free-form. They can be framed or frameless. Love them all? Then go ahead and mix and match. There are no rules – especially if you are wanting to create a gallery style cluster effect in a hallway, up the stairs or on a blank wall. 

vintage and antique mirrors

Mirrors are so versatile and become the perfect complement and finishing touch to any space. Cluster them, pair them, scatter them among artworks or simply display them on their own. Be daring. Be eclectic. However you choose to hang or arrange them, the effect will successfully transform any space in your home. 

VIntage and antique mirrors

Choose your style

The ornate detailing and vintage feel of an antique mirror add a special element to any room – from bedrooms and bathrooms to hallways, living rooms and dining rooms. 

VIntage and antique mirrors

Be bold and beautiful by placing an ornate gilded antique mirror against a moody dark wall – the perfect balance. If you have space to really show it off, then just let an oversized mirror stand on the floor to create an instant statement piece and focal point. Choose from an early 20th-century gilded wall mirror, a 20th-century French style giltwood Mirror, or a Rococo Style Giltwood Pier Mirror for an extra touch of designer sophistication. 

Vintage and antique mirrors

An antique or vintage mirror is that one accessory that will always enhance a room. Mirrors add balance, interest, personality and fun. They can offset a neutral scheme, calm a busy scheme and accentuate all the other pieces you have in your space. They will not only bring more light into a room but, if placed correctly, will make a smaller space seem larger. (When positioning a mirror – make sure it reflects something worthwhile).

The magic of mirrors as decor accessories really cannot be overstated. 

Choose the Crown Collection

If you are looking for a vintage or antique mirror for your wall to add a touch of luxury and history, then The Crown Collection, the largest antique emporium in South Africa, is your first stop. From gilded and ornately carved frames, in all shapes and sizes, you will find one-of-a-kind statement pieces for your home by shopping online or by visiting our showroom at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston. Our magnificently honed collection is an eclectic combination of decorative antiques, modern and classic styles. 

Can’t find exactly what you are looking for? Then go bespoke. We have an onsite restoration centre where we can customise the finish of any mirror – from hand gilding in 22- karat gold leaf or silver leaf to an aged/distressed look or a high gloss black or white lacquer sheen. We can even strip a mirror back to its natural wood colour or give it an authentic bleached wood or deep mahogany colour. 

Browse all our antique, vintage and French-style mirrors to find your perfect looking glass artwork for every space in your home.

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