Gilded antiques Archives - The Crown Collection

Gilded & bleached antiques | A must-have in modern design

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style, Uncategorized|Tags: Adding antiques to contemporary spaces, Antique French furniture, Bleached French-style furniture & accesories, French styles interior design, Gilded antiques, GIlded mirrors|

The dilemma of syncing an intrinsic appreciation for the beauty of antique French-style furniture and accessories with contemporary design can be a challenge. But the blending of history, elegance and timelessness into a more minimalist decor story need not be complicated. Two standout choices that are up to the task are well-chosen gilded and bleached pieces.

French-style gilded and bleached antiques not only serve as conversation starters but also add a layer of depth and sophistication to modern interiors.

It doesn’t even have to be one or the other – the gentle softness of bleached items paired with the shiny boldness of gilded pieces are fantastic bedfellows.

At the Crown Collection, our curated inventory of bleached and gilded French-style decor will inspire you to explore the beauty and practicality of these antiques with expert tips on how to seamlessly integrate them into contemporary settings.

The unrivalled beauty of gilded antiques

Gilded antiques are pieces adorned with a thin layer of gold leaf or gold paint, exuding luxury and opulence. These items, often dating back to periods such as the Baroque or Rococo eras, transform spaces with their rich, luminous finish. A gilded mirror, a gold-trimmed console table, or ornate picture frames act as focal points, drawing the eye.

If you love a little drama and a touch of grandeur, then the décor benefits of gilded French-style pieces are worth considering:

Timeless elegance: Gold has been a symbol of wealth and beauty for centuries. Gilded pieces carry a visual elegance that never goes out of style.
Reflective qualities: The reflective nature of gilded surfaces brightens a room, adding warmth and light.
Versatility: Despite their opulence, gilded antiques are surprisingly versatile, blending well with both traditional and modern décor.

The irresistible charm of bleached antiques

Bleached antiques – often French-style furniture – have a lighter, more subtle aesthetic compared to their gilded counterparts. The bleaching process removes the dark finish of wood, revealing a softer, more neutral tone. This look is perfect for those who appreciate the design narrative of antique pieces but prefer a lighter, fresher and more contemporary palette.

A bleached finish not only accentuates the lines and details of a piece, but these pieces also add a contemporary twist; giving a space interest, variety, and depth. Further benefits of bleached French-style furniture include:

Subtle elegance: The light, washed-out look of bleached furniture brings an understated refinement to any space.
Neutral palette: Bleached pieces easily blend with a wide range of colours and styles, making them highly adaptable.
Textural interest: The natural wood grain often remains visible, adding texture and interest without overpowering a room.

Pairing gilded & bleached antiques with modern pieces

Successfully integrating gilded and bleached antiques into a contemporary space requires balance and thoughtful placement.

Here are our tips to help you create a harmonious blend of old and new:

Create focal points: Use gilded antiques as statement pieces. A gilded mirror above a modern console or a gold-leafed chandelier in a minimalist dining room can act as stunning focal points. A bleached refectory table or grand armoire will always work as a main attraction.
Mix textures: Pair the sleek lines of modern furniture with the intricate details of gilded or bleached antiques. For instance, a contemporary sofa can be complemented by a gilded console table or a bleached wood drinks table.
Neutral backdrop: A neutral colour scheme provides the perfect backdrop for both gilded and bleached antiques. Whites, greys, and soft beiges allow these finishes to shine without overwhelming the space.
Layering: Combine different styles and eras by layering furnishings and accessories. A bleached French Rococco armoire anchors a room, while gilded frames add a layer of history and character.
Contrast with modern art: Contemporary art paired with antique furniture creates a striking contrast. A modern painting above a gilded console or a bleached antique dining table surrounded by sleek, modern chairs creates visual intrigue.
Balance proportions: The scale of pairing antique furniture with modern elements is always a design consideration. Choose an oversized gilded mirror to balance a substantial modern sofa, while delicate bleached chairs will lighten the look of a robust, contemporary dining table.

A final word on getting it right

Incorporating French-style gilded and bleached furniture and accessories into your décor mix is a lesson in personal style and playful indulgence. Our Crown Collection décor store experience – where we have staged our furniture and accessories in an inspirational setting – is the best place to start.

Antiques are a worthwhile investment, but if you aren’t sure where to start with adding gilded and/or bleached pieces, we suggest you start small and focus on quality items that will stand the test of time and add genuine value to your space.

Decorating with gilded and bleached French-style antiques in contemporary spaces combines old-world charm and modern elegance. Each piece tells a unique story. (Our in-store restorers can gild or bleach any item you choose).

Start your individualised design story by visiting us online or popping in at our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

Go for gold when decorating with antiques

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Gilded antiques, Gilded chairs, GIlded mirrors, Gilded vintage and antique furniture, Mix & match gilded antiques with modern pieces|

A golden patina in the form of gilded antiques – be that furniture or accessories – is the ‘LBD’ (little black dress) of interior design. It is timeless, classic, seductive, bold, glamorous and dramatic and it goes with anything. Often associated with French interior design, gilded furniture was highly sought after in the 18th century and has never lost its allure. Today it is still a firm favourite among decorators and collectors alike.

Gilding is an age-old decorating technique that involves applying thin layers of gold leaf to solid surfaces giving them a lustre similar to solid gold. And beyond the obvious nod to opulence, gilded antiques and vintage items do not tarnish.

Adding a golden touch to any interior space will always result in a visual wow factor. No accessory is too small and no piece of furniture is too big to benefit from a little of this gilded magic.

Find your antique gilded inspiration from the following design trends:

Gold and black

You can never go wrong with this all-time classic and powerful pairing; it is the ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ of the design world. Refined, bold, dramatic and chic – gilded antique accents are high contrast in a predominantly black contemporary scheme and bring a sense of depth, harmony, balance and a Midas touch of surprise which cleverly enhances the overall effect.

If you want to tap into this sophisticated gold and black design narrative, then your starting point is a gilded mirror, gilded chandelier, gilded coffee table or gilded occasional chairs set against a moody backdrop. (In fact, we think James Bond would feel quite at home in such a scenario – so get ready to shake those Vesper martinis!).

Gold and ivory

If gold and black are a tad too masculine for your design sensibilities, then the obvious softer contrasting combination for antique gilded accent pieces is a relaxed ivory colour palette. (There is nothing ‘beige’ about this look). The feminine charm and comfortable elegance of juxtaposing a gilt chandelier, gilded mirror or gilded chairs against ivory neutrals or bleached furniture are beautiful to behold. (It is a welcome scheme that will wrap you in a luxurious hug).

If you want to elevate the look and feel of any space in your home, then an ivory colour palette with touches of gold is an all-time winner.

Gold and colour

Gilded antique furniture and vintage accessories take on a fun and quirky design quality when matched with colourful accent pieces. The bejewelled effect is simply beguiling. A splash of colour is the perfect way to make gilded antiques not look so serious. (This is a seamless design trick for mixing and matching antiques with modern or midcentury pieces).

The beauty of a decor marriage with gilded furniture or accessories and colourful accents is that ANY colour or hue goes with gold. This versatile combination means you cannot get your decorating palette wrong.

Gold and animal print

Pushing design boundaries, adding major design attitude and implementing an eclectic statement are all down to the daring decor combination of antique gilded pieces and animal prints. (Think of it as the glorious sun shining down on the bushveld). In theory, this pairing is not intuitive, but in practice, it just works.

The striking contrast of glamorous gold antiques set against organic animal print patterns elevates the design story, commands attention and provides high impact. (Just a cheeky design solution to bringing the outdoors in!).

Gold and patterns

Floral or graphic fabrics, stripes, toile designs, decorative artworks and patterned rugs are obvious elements to integrate with gilded furniture. They not only give a fresh and modern twist but also counterbalance the gold highlights with customised charm and bespoke flair.

From bold and geometric patterns to soft romantic florals and abstract designs, you get to play with colour, shape and texture. And they all complement gilded antiques by setting the tone – either with a comfortable whimsical flourish or as a formal focal point. This is where layering truly comes into its own.

Start small with patterned lampshades on a gilded base and gilded frames for artworks or go big with a gilded mirror, chandelier or occasional chair perfectly playing with patterned accessories and fabrics. (This works as well in an adult space as it does in a little girl’s bedroom).

Gold and wood

The artisanal craftsmanship of antique wood pieces is just one reason to invest in antiques. Another reason is that the glam of giltwood pieces is an elegant and obvious contrast to the natural, warm wood tones; bringing harmony and cohesiveness. The neutral characteristics of antique wood and the accents of gold are also the perfect backdrop for bringing in modern pieces.

The inherent allure of antique furniture is that it often features intricate wood carving, marquetry or decorative flourishes. These pieces are beautiful on their own – unspoilt – but when these elements are gilded, the visual details are enhanced and a new decor conversation begins.

Gold and The Crown Collection

The Crown Collection is the perfect match between homeowners, decorators or collectors and antique, vintage or French furniture. Boasting the most desirable and curated collection of gilded furniture and accessories, this is the obvious emporium to visit when adding a touch of gold to any of your spaces. And should you wish for any item to be hand gilded or given a gold paint technique, our in-house restorers offer this professional artisanal service.