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.

‘Update’ a contemporary main bedroom with antique or vintage furniture

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique desks, Antique or vintage furniture for contemporary bedrooms, Antique tapestry, Chandeliers, opium beds, Vintage mirrors|

Transforming and personalizing your main bedroom is as simple as adding antique or vintage furniture items – even in a contemporary space. The design principles of balance, harmony and proportion are expressed in the use of colour, shape, texture and style, and the master suite is the easiest space to play with these concepts. All it takes is one or two vintage finds to elevate the feel and look.

Mixing older items with modern pieces is one of the easiest decor tricks. And the main bedroom is a wonderful starting point as antique or vintage furniture will always add depth, richness and contrast – exactly the cohesive design aesthetic you are wanting to achieve.

Start with some storage

Additional storage in a bedroom is a no-brainer and yet often lacking in contemporary spaces. (Where will you put all your shoes?). This is where antique furniture and vintage items for the master bedroom really come into their own. Chests of drawers, dressing tables and pedestals are not only functional but strikingly beautiful and there are so many options to choose from. If your room is small, then vintage trunks can be a special utilitarian addition for storing blankets and linen.

And then you get the timeless beauty of armoires. (Who doesn’t dream of one of these antique or vintage furniture pieces in their main bedroom?). From TVs to hanging and shelving space, an armoire is your BFF design solution. Armoires provide fantastic versatility and their imposing presence and design impact are just what a master suite needs.

Sit awhile

Besides sleeping, the main bedroom can always do with a small seating area – even if that is just an occasional chair. A gilded and upholstered antique or vintage chair is often the one piece that can make a whole room; they are small enough to fit into a cosy corner but make a big impact.

If you have a monochromatic modern space, then a colourful splash of pattern from an antique chair will be just the right playful statement in a minimalist space – be that in the main bedroom or dressing room.

Accessorize with a little bling

A touch of gold, a hint of silver and a little bit of sparkle will never be amiss in any space. Glamming up your main bedroom with vintage chandeliers or mirrors is always the finishing touch.

The one place a mirror is never out of place is in a bedroom; it is as important as any other piece of bedroom furniture. The main bedroom becomes the perfect backdrop for a vintage mirror and the opportunity to create a gorgeous vignette.

The pièce de résistance is, of course, a chandelier. From a central oversized antique crystal chandelier or a vintage wrought iron chandelier to hanging a smaller pair of chandeliers on either side of the bed, there is every reason to have one. Their sparkling beauty and elegant charm are the perfect lighting solution to ‘upstyle’ your space.

Go big with an opium bed

The bed should always be the focal point and hero piece in the main bedroom. if you are really wanting a big and bold decor narrative (and have the space) why not go with a decorative antique opium bed? There is nothing that says luxury quite like one of these statement pieces! It will add beauty, character and a nostalgic nod to the past.

Don’t forget the walls

An often forgotten surface in the main bedroom is the walls. From a gallery wall of framed paintings to a vintage tapestry or wall hanging, your master suite walls are crying out for a little artistic, textured and patterned personality.

Any of these antique and vintage furniture choices will boost the beauty of your contemporary space as well as adding much-needed layering and a bespoke attitude to your main bedroom, resulting in a designer retreat where you cannot wait to escape to.

Visit the Crown Collection

The Crown Collection Emporium is where your decor journey begins. For antique, French, bleached and vintage furniture items, the perfect piece awaits – online or at our studio (20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston).

And if you find the perfect antique or vintage item for your main bedroom but are not happy with the finish, we can professionally strip it, stain it, bleach it or gild it so that it suits your space perfectly.

For inspiration on decorating a little girl’s bedroom with pink and gold vintage or antique items, read more here.

Start your vintage and antique decor journey today.

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

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique mirrors, Decorating with mirrors, Vintage mirrors|

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Search over 5000 products...