LARS BOLANDER above
I’ve
had a run of projects recently with clients possessing the most wonderful antique
and vintage pieces. At times like this the question, “can you work with these?”
is music to my ears. “Why… yes I can”.
EMILY CHANDLER above
I
literally have to contain my excitement. Few things please me more
professionally than to have design perimeters especially when those perimeters
happen to include a circa 1950 glass top cocktail table with a gilt “sheath of
wheat” base, an Edwardian rotating bookcase, or a Curtis Jere’ raindrop mirror.
BETH WEBB above
The
fun in this type of project lies in finding the proper furnishings to go with
them. The perfect sofa, chairs and coordinating fabrics pull the eras together
into a visually pleasing, style appropriate design scheme. I love the look and
feel of this type of project. It’s much harder to achieve than buying all your
furniture at one place in time but the benefits are numerous. By blending eras,
your design schemes will evolve much better and stay in style longer. You won’t be
replacing everything at once, in fact you probably won’t be replacing much at
all except changing out the fabrics every twenty years. It looks better. The appearance
is less cookie cutter. The whole environment is more original.
In
a large vacation home near Yosemite National Park, I was asked to work around existing
armchairs, various antique game tables and hutches, an antique dining room
table and chairs, sideboard and a few other pieces. I did 3D renderings of two
optional kitchen plans with a central island, breakfast bar, double wall ovens
and a beverage bar. We chose a new sectional sofa, cocktail table and end table
to coordinate with and update the antiques. The architecture has vaulted
ceilings and an expansive open floor plan giving it the feel of a “lodge” without
the wood paneling.
AMY BUTLER above
Because
there are spectacular views and a wraparound deck, I added three sets of French
doors into the plan and window seats in both bay windows.
CHARLOTTE MOSS above
The
family plans to move to there full time in a few years from their current
home near Los Angeles. To accommodate the lifestyle they have planned for
retirement I added numerous built-in cabinets and bookcases. All fabrics are
worked around pets and college age children but will easily shift roles
when the nest is empty. Practicality, aesthetics and longevity were all
addressed in the plans.
In
another such project, now in the beginning phases, a delightful California Peninsula
transplant has some wonderful pieces we’ll be working around. Once again, I had
to contain my excitement. One of the pieces was mentioned earlier in this post but there are others such as a lacquered screen, a Bombay chest,
numerous pieces of beautiful artwork, and some great lamps.
JULES AMEDEE BARBEY D’AUREVILLEY above
Attractive
table lamps are hard to find. Even good quality ones are unattractive these
days. I much prefer lamps from thirty to forty years ago such those in this
client’s home.
MARK D. SIKES above
I’ll
present a variety of fabrics and window treatment ideas for the new home,
working around the existing pieces. I’ll place the furniture and accessories,
and hang the extensive artwork collection. It will be fabulous in the end: a light
filled space with a lifetime of collections and mementos and new, coordinating
fabrics that pull it all together.
MARION HOUSE above
Mahogany
is a beautiful, formal wood.
In a recently completed project I had the opportunity to work around
some really beautiful pieces such as a heavy, retro-modern, box style cocktail
table and matching end table with inset glass tops; a three tiered cantilevered
accent table; and a pair of massive brass table lamps.
SCOT MEACHAM WOOD above
To
offset the color of the mahogany and the era of furnishings we chose a
beautiful blue and muted apricot color scheme. The seating had to be very high
quality to stand up to such beautiful tables, lamps, and accessories. The new
sofa, new arm chair, and newly slipcovered existing loveseat fit the bill to a
tee.
MORGAN TAYLOR above
When
blending new fabrics and upholstered or slip covered seating with old tables,
hutches and wooden chairs think first about the coloration of the wood. Light,
ashen wood tones look stunning with black, red, cobalt and taupe fabrics. The yellow
tones inherent in pine work well with Kelly green and dark, bluish red. Cherry wood stains work well
within many color schemes.
RALPH LAUREN above
Placement
of your antiques and vintage pieces is also important. Unless space is
confined, I always place the most desirable furnishings to be seen first as you
enter the room. I do this in the living room and entry areas especially.
Wherever there is something particularly beautiful, I emphasize or call
attention to it in some way.
CHARLOTTE MOSS above
Don’t
be quick to discard your old wood pieces, antique, retro or vintage. Try using them as
the catalyst for your next design scheme.
NATALIE MASSENET above
MARIO BUATTA above
