In our stores we love it when a new client walks in, having never before been exposed to the innate beauty of antique furniture! It's fun to watch them begin their road to discovery in the exiting world of antiques.
During the past few decades at Inessa Stewart's Antiques & Interiors, we have enjoyed sharing our enthusiasm for antiques and antique furniture with newcomers and connoisseurs alike. For newcomers it is always a revelation to discover such beautiful objects that can not only be admired, but used in everyday life, resulting in a pleasure of ownership that is unequalled.
What are some reasons so many people turn to antique furniture to furnish their homes?
First, of course, is their sheer beauty. These treasures were created utilizing time-honored traditions of craftsmanship and art handed down from generation to generation. Although the majority of our selection dates to the 18th and 19th century, European traditions in furniture-making date back to the Renaissance and even prior to that watershed epoch. We continue to be amazed at the inventiveness and originality of antique furniture and the antique decorative arts.
A second reason people turn to antiques today is their inherent quality, as things of quality have no fear of time. Antique furniture that was well designed and crafted from the finest materials will only get better with time, and in the process will acquire a priceless patina and warmth.
These are the two main things you should consider when shopping for antique furniture: design and quality of craftsmanship. When a piece is well-made from fine materials, and exhibits good scale and proportions, it exudes a distinctive character and charm.
When studying the history of antique furniture one is understandably amazed at how much ingenuity, originality, and skilled craftsmanship was required in the creation of domestic interiors of past centuries. In France for example, Artisans Guilds were established in the Middle Ages, and to practice a trade required membership. To achieve such membership he had to apprentice in the craft for as long as a decade, starting at a young age. Tests were given and contests held at which the candidates were required to pass muster before being awarded the honor of guild membership.
Antique furniture has been the 'secret ingredient'of interior decorators in the designs of many fabulous homes. Even if you enjoy today's modern comfort and style, antiques can make an amazing impact on an otherwise nondescript modern design. With so many different antique styles available, it is easy to learn how to blend antiques with modern interiors ~ with the help of numerous design books and decorator magazines that are readily available today.
A third reason we want antique furniture today is their intrinsic value. All the assets mentioned above ~ incredible design and quality of woods among them ~ can only bring superb results of works that appreciate in value over time. Antique furniture has brought immeasurable joy and has amassed an increased value to many of the homes of our clients during the last two decades. It's been exciting to play our role in this splendid process and share in the joy that it brings!
Inessa Stewart has parlayed her talent and knowledge of antiques and design into becoming one of the most significant resources for French, Italian, and Continental European antiques. Her exceptional expertise and European background are immediately evident in the style and quality of the antiques she offers in her three gorgeous showrooms.
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