January 24th, 2012 — Antique, Antique Doors, Furnishings
Antique doors have much to offer the private collector and many of these, depending on the materials used, and the designer may actually be worth quite a lot of money. Whether you are looking for a collectible that you can put to good use right in your own home, or you are seeking an antique door to complete a period house, there are many different types of doors available.
Pocket Doors
These were very popular in the Victorian era and were commonly used to separate parlors and dining areas from the rest of the house. Typically made of wood and highly ornate, they would slip into a recess in the wall when they were not in use. If you do plan to purchase pocket antique doors to use in your home, be advised you will need to have a niche carved out of your wall and a track system installed in order for it to work properly.
Stained Glass Window Doors
During the arts and crafts period and particularly several hundred years before that era took place, having stained glass windows in doors was incredibly popular. The antique doors you can find today range from simple and elegant to incredibly ornate. The stained glass may even be worth a small fortune in its own right. These doors can add value to any home and they are a beautiful example of craftsmanship.
Carved Doors
The Victorian era and the preceding eras brought us ornate carved wooden antique doors and many of these are still available today. Typically quite large and heavy, some range over twelve feet high, depending on the house where they were installed. These are a beautiful collectible and many are very valuable, especially the ones that are more ornate.
Bar Doors
Believe it or not bar doors, or saloon doors as they were commonly called are actually very popular. These swinging antique doors may have once graced a saloon from the 1800’s when the west was wild. These are a fun collectible, and very useful if you want to block your kitchen off from the rent of the house, but don’t want to go to the trouble of installing a brand new door system.
French Doors
A common fixture in homes in the South and throughout Europe, French doors are a great collectible to have if you are interested in antique doors. Many will still have their original glass panes still intact. These are a great solution for homes where the owner needs to block off a room from the rest of the house without breaking up the visual flow. Commonly, these are used in bedrooms, dens and offices.
These are just a few examples of the types of antique doors you can find today. Head on over to a second hand store, a garage sale or you can go online to find some great deals and rare finds. You never know what you may come across and you may end up with a very valuable antique door.
Photo Credits: René Ehrhardt
Originally posted 2008-09-27 05:29:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 21st, 2012 — 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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January 16th, 2012 — Antique, Fabrics, Linens, Patchwork Quilts, Quilts and Bedspreads
Patchwork quilts are an Americana staple, and these items are also highly collectible. While they are most commonly associated with the pioneer times and early formation of the United States, many cultures produce patchwork quilts and many of them are extremely valuable.
The process of making a patchwork quilt is quite labor intensive and for many families, these precious items became heirlooms. Typically, the quilt maker would save little squares of fabric that would then be turned into larger quilting squares during the making of the item. Sometimes, these pieces of fabric would be from old clothes, or blankets, or even feed sacks. Making a patchwork quilt could take months, due to the amount of work that is required.
Collecting the fabric is only the first step in making a patchwork quilt. Once enough of this was on hand, the quilt maker would begin the process of assembling each square, by hand, into an interesting pattern. The history of quilting patterns dates back many hundred years, but patchwork quilts are probably the most quaint. Instead of following a certain set pattern of colors, they were a mishmash of the fabric that the quilter had on hand. Each square would tell a story and that was part of the fun in making this type of quilt and owning one.
Once the squares were all assembled in the right pattern, the quilter would then begin the process of applying them to a backing. Typically, a type of batting would be sewn in between the backing fabric and the patchwork quilt square. However, many times, especially for poorer families, the backing and the squares were the only material that was used.
Each square would be handstitched onto the backing fabric until the entire pattern was assembled. A specific quilting stitch was used to ensure that the finished product would be very durable. Finally, when the finished product was complete, the entire pattern of the patchwork quilt would be made visible. It could take a quilter months to finish this type of project, but some were able to get them done in a matter of weeks once they had the fabric ready.
Typically, patchwork quilts were made during the winter months when pioneer families did not have has much work to do outside the home. However, quilting parties became very popular and gave women a means of socializing outside the home. During one of these parties, several women would work on the same patchwork quilt, assembling the squares, making the pattern and putting everything together.
In many small towns, the practice of making a patchwork quilt for a raffle became very popular. Often, women would construct these quilts and then donate them to their local churches. The church could then use the raffle to raise funds for building or other needs. If you happen to come across a patchwork quilt that is an antique, think about the labor and love than went into it for a few moments. You are holding a piece of someone’s history in your hands.
Photo Credits: Frankie Roberto
Originally posted 2008-08-25 14:00:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 12th, 2012 — Antique, Antique Chairs, Furniture
In the market for a collectible that will not only be useful but also beautify your home? Antique chairs are the perfect solution. These are a very popular type of collectible and no matter what type of furniture you’re interested in, chances are you’ll be able to find just the right chair to complete your collection. Here are some great ideas to get you started.
If you enjoy rocking, there are many antique chairs that offer this feature. In fact, these are probably some of the most collectible chairs you can find. Often made with cane backs, or slats, these chairs used to adorn parlors and cabins alike during the past few hundred years. If you have never sat in one of these antique chairs, you are missing out on an experience. For those that enjoy primitive, western or Americana collectibles, this type of antique chair would fit perfectly with any collection.
For those that prefer a more modern twist, there are antique chairs from the Danish Modern movement that are quickly coming back into style. In fact, you can find brand new replicas of this style in just about any store today. These chairs are incredibly comfortable, even though they have that sleek modern look and if you can find an original, you’ll be surprised at what they can do for a room when it comes to finishing touches.
If you’re looking for an antique chair for your den, office or study, consider getting a leather club chair from the art deco period. These are the epitome of luxury and many are still fully functional today. Ideally, look for a club chair that still has its original ottoman, since these are worth quite a bit more money, especially at auction. Club chairs are typically leather and will usually come in black or dark brown.
Queen Anne and Chippendale antique chairs are always popular, especially if your home already features this kind of décor. While these may not be the most comfortable chairs on the planet, they are among the prettiest and many of them are actually incredibly valuable. Look for chairs that have their original upholstery if at all possible, or if you’re looking for a deal, you can find a run down one that just needs a little TLC.
Last but not least, there are antique chairs from the Shaker style that are ideal for any home. These are quite valuable and many will be rockers. If you’ve got a dining room you’re trying to furnish, consider using Shaker style antique chairs for a great authentic look. These chairs are very durable and it is typical to find them in fantastic condition at local auctions.
No matter what kind of antique chairs you are interested in, from oriental, to art deco and everything in between, thanks to their popularity, they are incredibly easy to find. Start shopping for an antique chair now and see just how much it can add to your home, making it very special indeed.
Photo Credits: flo21
Originally posted 2008-09-20 05:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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