1. Large pieces of furniture, usually made of wood, are referred to in
the industry as case pieces or case goods. These would refer to free
standing armoires, chests, cabinets and side board type pieces.
2. Depending on the look you want you will no doubt have a preference
for wood type. Woods like mahogany tend to show a finer grain and
therefore are more formal in appearance. Heavy woods like oak and pine
offer a less formal and more rustic character.
3. Depending on the look you are going for, the color of stain will
play an important role. Most of the case goods made of mahogany will be
stained a dark to medium dark color, thus the slightly more formal mode.
Oak and pine can easily be stained in a light or dark finish but because
of their heavy graining they will always appear more casual and rustic.
A popular wood in recent years has been bird’s eye maple, which is an
upscale, (meaning more expensive), fine wood. Most often bird’s eye is
finished in a blonde or honey shade to enhance the delicate but
intricate graining.
4. A good solution if you’re on a budget, or if you’re working on a
second home, like a cabin or weekend retreat, is to use a variety of
painted furnishings. These can be made of a less expensive wood, like
pine for instance and can be painted in colors which co-ordinate with
your chosen décor. You can also mix colors on the same piece. Like
adding light blue shelves or drawers to a white bookcase or chest. This
is also an excellent solution for baby and children’s rooms as they grow
so quickly and re-decorating every couple of years can be expensive!
5. If you’re looking for an inexpensive solution for furnishing a home
but still want quality and style, consider used furniture from flea
markets, auction houses or estate sales. Chances are the quality of
older furnishings will even surpass modern pieces and you can have fun
refinishing or painting these goods to make them uniquely your own.
6. If you prefer new furniture for those special areas of your home or
office you will find that most fine furniture companies offer pieces
that can be finished in various degrees of “distressed mode”. This means
that the company will intentionally make the furniture look shabby or
antiqued. Many people enjoy the look of this distressed furniture
because it gives the home an “old world estate” appearance. Don’t be
surprised if you are asked to pay a premium for this type of distressed
finish.
7. Don’t be afraid to mix styles of furniture. If your space has been
decorated in a sleek modern style with leather and chrome finishes,
adding one or two pieces which obviously belong in another century, such
as an armoire or chest, or even a tiny piece like a little side table or
antique chair gives a designer touch and shows visitors that you aren’t
taking yourself and your décor too seriously. This concept also
indicates that you indeed have a true sense of style. Likewise, a room
decorated in traditional antiques can look quite smashing when the odd
modern piece is added to the mix. A plexi-glass coffee table or chair
for example or something in sleek black leather and chrome.
8. If you are fortunate enough to inherit a piece or pieces of really
fine furniture or valuable antiques, don’t try to mix them with
obviously cheap pieces of reproduction furnishings. If your budget does
not allow for supporting pieces that will enhance these, you’re better
off selling them and investing in furniture and decorative items that
will suit your budget and lifestyle. Good furnishings, especially case
goods will usually fetch a fine price on the open market. If you’re
unsure consult a local auction house that has a furniture specialist on
staff that can advise you on value and expected price.
9. Don’t paint valuable pieces of furniture. Also, consult a wood or
furniture specialist before painting anything. Some woods are softer
and cannot be restored after painting. Teak is one of these. Values are
diminished once they are painted. Painting furniture should really be
an option on cheaper woods not valuable mahogany, maple or cherry.
10. Always buy pieces you love. If you’re setting up a home for good,
keep in mind that the case pieces you choose today will probably outlive
you and will become heritage pieces that can be enjoyed by you children
and even their children. Buy carefully and thoughtfully. Even if you
decide to redecorate in the future, these fine pieces of furniture will
probably serve you well and look beautiful even with a change of décor.
