What Types Of Furniture Catch My Eye?

 Like art, furniture is incredibly personal. What attracts one person may be uninteresting to another. You buy pieces to enhance your daily life, visually and physically. I select pieces that sing to me, simple as that. It fills my soul.

 I love New England styled furniture. Queen Anne, Federal, Chippendale, and even a touch of American Hepplewhite. English antiques are quite plentiful and more affordable but can be a speck cold and formal. (Sorry, just a personal opinion.) I don’t limit myself to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island antiques since Pennsylvania also has a beautiful history of cabinetmaking. The northern New England states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine have produced lovely things but in a much more informal “country” style.

Peaking my interest too are contemporary bench made pieces of New England furniture. Some with new wood and some using old wood. They can have antique charm with today’s strength. Love that.

I stay away from Victorian styled pieces because I feel they are too dark and often too ornate.

 Now, being half French I also keep my eyes open for its uniquely styled pieces with that “je ne sais quoi”. I do not, however, veer toward the overly opulent, gilded pieces that seem to be more comfortable living in French palaces.

  It’s very common to find Louis XVI “Styled” furniture. Most of these are contemporarily made over the past 75 years. These don’t interest me. I prefer to track down the “real deal” Louis XV and XVI pieces that sport ages of 225-250 years old. These were made when King “Louie” was pacing the glorious halls of the Louvre and Versailles.

 I also have an attraction to Country French Provence antiques. More rustic and simple but I love the lines of these pieces. They also bring me back to the French country life I have experienced over the years.

_____________________ 

 Clocks

 I am a complete sucker for fine clocks, mainly antique American and French.

Connecticut and Massachusetts were hubs of some of the greatest names in rare clocks. Harland, Burnap, Ellsworth, and Eli Terry, are just a few. In the Boston area there were the brothers Simon & Aaron Willard. They created extremely beautiful and elegant grandfather and mantel clocks. Simon also patented the works and style of the banjo clock. In clock circles, many consider him the greatest clockmaker ever. From the mid-1700’s to early 1800’s these two created what are considered museum pieces today.

 During the reign of Louis XVI, Paris was the hub of French clockmaking. Ornate and gilded works were needed to help furnish the palaces of the French elite. Occasionally one will see the words “Hger du Roi” painted on the clockface. Translated, it says “Clockmaker to the King” (Horloger du Roi), an honor for very few. Names like Breuget, Robin, Le Roy, Boulle, Lepaute, and Lepine are considered some of the greatest of the time.

 Sadly the products of these elite clockmakers are rare to find and often not inexpensive, but my eyes are always open and I have seen them.

_____________________  

Antique Decorative Arts

 These will come in time. Furniture is my focus for now.

_____________________   

Antique Furniture With Today’s Style

 Rare are the days when a home is decorated and furnished completely in a 200 year old style, even in our Colonial New England. However the occasional antique accent piece can make a room pop. Gone are the days of one style dominating a home. My wife’s business, Eclectic Design, is just that…eclectic. The business motto, Classic with a Twist. Our home is traditional, eclectic, conservative, arty, and fun all rolled into one.

Our culture today is built up on immediate satisfaction, readily available goods, and early disposal…the opposite of how our ancestors lived. True quality is harder and harder to find but it’s out there. My wife and I abide by the idea of spending a speck more and enjoying the item for many years to come without replacement. Fine antique furniture has proven that quality can live for lifetimes.

 _____________________  

Patience May Be Required

 I do have an ongoing inventory of pieces I greatly enjoy, but may be a speck limited due to the nature and availability of fine antiques. If you don’t see what you want, check back often. Or call or send an email!

 I can find things but perhaps patience may be required. Shopping for fine antique furniture is not quite the same as running into your local Ethan Allen. Exact furniture can’t be custom ordered. However with a touch of patience and flexibility I can still find many lovely things.

 A funny story about my dad and his piano:
Many, many years ago my dad wanted to buy a baby grand “player” piano. The kind that accepts player piano rolls commonly found late 19th and early 20th century. He found a piano technician who said he could track one down. TEN years later my dad receives a phone call from the guy asking if he was still interested in a piano. Without hesitation he said yes. A touch of patience will be required if you are looking for something particular. NOT ten years patience though.

_____________________  

New Arrivals

 If you like what you see and choose to be kept up to date on new arrivals, please send me your email. Enroll in updates on the email form on our contact page.