September 22nd, 2009 — Antique, Antiquities, Collectible, Furnishings, Furniture, Secretary Desk
When you’re shopping for antique desks, a secretary desk is just one of the many different styles of furniture you’ll find. There are standard desks, of course, elaborate (and now amazingly expensive) Wooten desks, old rolltop desks and variations on all of those. How do you tell the difference between these types of desks and secretary desks?
A secretary desk is distinctive from all these, even though it does have similarities to them all, because of the way the writing area is disguised when the desk is not in use. When the area is covered and the desk is closed, it’s closed off by a piece of flat wood that usually sit an angle when it’s closed. Sometimes this angle is as much as 45 degrees. The rolltop desk has the cover that actually rolls up into the desk, and the Wooten desk very rarely has a flat front, the front is usually curved, carved and very elaborate.
The size of a secretary desk can vary a great deal. The more modern reproductions or even less antique secretary desks tend to be smaller than the ones a hundred years old or more. Many of these desk are quite tall and very heavy. Newer ones might even be built in such a way that they can easily be taken apart, but antique desks were built solidly as a single piece of furniture meant to stay together for hundreds of years.
The hinged panel that hides the open area within the desk actually creates the actual writing surface. There are typically wide drawers on a secretary desk, and sometimes small drawers and small cubbies on the piece of furniture as well, to allow storage for a variety of different items. Older secretary desks might have a tall bookcase above the writing area or even a glassed-in bookcase or set of shelves. The top of these desks often look more like a china cabinet or a curio cabinet than anything belonging on a desk, and when the desk area is closed, it does often look like nothing more than a piece of display furniture.
Unlike a rolltop desk or other type of desk where the panel slides into the desk, everything must be removed from the writing area in order to close the desk, which makes the needs for the drawers and cubbies apparent. While a Wooten desk is similar to a secretary desk, a secretary desk has a more plain appearance. It will look more like a nice curio cabinet, china cabinet or even armoire or dresser on top, with drawers and the hidden work surface below.
Wooten desks are similar to these desks but they simply have a more fancy appearance—and typically sell for thousands of dollars. Secretary desks are the most prevalent type of antique desk available today, a type of desk once so popular it was commonly referred to as simply “a secretary.” You can find an antique secretary desk in antique shops, at flea markets and in online auctions like eBay.
Originally posted 2008-11-15 05:00:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 11th, 2009 — Antique, Antique Lamps, Antique Lighting
Whether you are trying to restore an older home and would like to keep it in the period style, or you just appreciate older light fixtures, antique lighting has much to offer. There are many different styles from Victorian, to Art Deco to Modern that can adorn any home, working or non, and give it a certain special charm. Before you buy antique lighting however, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you will need to make sure whether or not the antique lighting is operational. There is a risk for electrocution or fire whenever you are dealing with older lamps, and it is vital to have it properly checked out before you plug it in. If there are any loose wires, or the cord appears to be frayed, you should have it repaired immediately. Failing to do so could result in serious injury and lose of property.
Although antique lighting is beautiful, there are few issues that are present with older shades. Some of the material that was used back many years ago was quite flammable. Add that to a dried out and old shade, and you have a very serious fire risk. Consider replacing the shade, or look for antique lighting that has a glass shade so that you don’t have to worry about it.
Another thing to think about when you are buying antique lighting is the bulb that will be needed. Many very old lamps will have used bulbs that are no longer available and converting them may be impossible. While they make great display pieces, they won’t be able to be used. Always think about the type of bulb and make sure that replacements are easily available.
If you are buying a chandelier, it will be necessary to make sure that the cables are intact and not frayed, for safety reasons. You may also need to dip the crystal in an ammonia solution if it is very dirty. Chandeliers made of other materials will need to be cleaned as well. Always test the chandelier to make sure it works before you actually install it. Some antique lighting may not be operational and it’s best to find this out before you go to the trouble of installing it in your ceiling.
Lastly, if you are interested in Tiffany style antique lighting, it is important to make sure you are getting an authentic piece. There are many different styles of lamps that look very similar to the ones popularized by Louis Comfort Tiffany, but they are not as valuable as his original creations. Read up about this style of lamp before you go shopping to ensure that you are getting the best deal. With a little extra care, you can be assured that your lamp will be the valuable collectible you think it is.
Antique lighting is a unique decorative collectible and it’s one that is easy to find. If your home décor needs a bit of a boost, consider adding an antique lamp for a special touch.
Originally posted 2008-10-06 14:16:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 7th, 2009 — Antique, Fabrics, Linens, Vintage Wedding Dress
Many people today want to wear a vintage wedding dress when they get married. Vintage clothing in general has become hugely popular. You can purchase actually vintage clothing in various states of wear, vintage fabric which to make clothing from, or reproduction vintage clothing made from new fabric in old-fashioned styles and designs. A good place to find vintage clothing of all types, including wedding dresses, is eBay. The drawback to purchasing clothing from an online auction, though, is the inability to try the item on for a good fit before purchasing, and most clothing sellers don’t accept returns, especially if they’ve given detailed measurements in the auction to help people determine whether an item will fit or not.
If you decide to purchase a vintage wedding dress from an auction, read the measurements and any other available information. Unless you’ve measured yourself very recently, measure again just to be sure. When purchasing vintage clothing of any kind, you’ll want to ask the seller questions, whether you’re trying the item on in their shop or purchasing it online.
Even if you don’t want to purchase a vintage wedding dress online and instead want the convenience of trying it on first, you should search online for vintage items to learn more about the different styles and time periods available, and the general cost of items like the one you’re looking for. This can help you from paying far too much for a wedding dress, and help educate you about which styles were most popular during the era from which you’d like to find a dress.
A vintage wedding dress from the 1930s, for instance, is more likely to have detachable train than dresses from other eras, so the bride could wear the dress as an evening gown after the wedding. The sleeves were typically long and tapered, and often the satin gowns were buttoned down the back. Netting and frills became popular in the 1940s, as were hidden zippers and buttons and loops, rather than the long line of back-buttons. Tapered sleeves with the point extending over the top of the hand were also in vogue.
A vintage wedding dress from the 1950s is more likely to have extensive lacework and a long train, while the wedding dresses from the 1960s reflected the movement toward nature and simplicity, with dresses more often ankle-length, and even mini-skirt length.
When you decide which era you prefer in your vintage wedding dress, something else to consider is the state of the dress. Is it ready for you to wear down the aisle? (Or display, if you’re purchasing as purely a collector’s item?) Can it be altered? Some vintage dresses don’t lend themselves to alterations very well, because they were often made for one specific person, rather than purchased from a shop and altered as is common today. Also, look into the cost of cleaning your vintage wedding dress as the cost of archival cleaning could actually be more than you pay for the dress itself.
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