If you love browsing shops, flea markets, and yard sales looking for interesting chairs, tables, and sofas, you aren't alone. Sellers are aware of the attraction and are willing to offer consumers everything from genuine antiques to cheap reproductions. If modern decor isn't to your taste, and you prefer to fill your home with older pieces, check out these tips for buying country and town house antique furniture Kensington decorators offer.
One of the easiest ways to determine whether or not you are looking at an old piece is to check for dovetails. Handmade pieces will be dovetailed. You will get more information by noting the size of the dovetails. The larger ones required less skill and indicate the craftsman was outside an urban area. Small dovetails are usually the mark of a professionally trained urban craftsman. Glue and nails indicate a newer piece made in a factory.
Most painters sign their works. It is rarer to find a table or chair signed by the creator. You can find manufacturer labels and stamps on furnishings however. You should look for these on the bottoms and backs of dresser drawers. Stamps and labels on tables and chairs are most likely found on their backs and bottoms.
You should certainly inspect any piece you are interested in for damage. The areas on a chair or dresser that get the most wear are where you are likely to see repairs or replacements. You should check the backs of wood chairs to see if the center supports have been replaced. On dressers, the feet tend to wear out first.
You should be less concerned about cracks. Old wood has had time to expand and contract. That's what causes the cracks and why experts say they usually don't negatively affect the value.
Experts have different opinions when it comes to the subject of refinishing. If you want pieces that are completely authentic, you won't be buying tables or chairs that have been refinished. Original wood on old furniture is generally purplish or black in color. The varnish is often crackled because it's been exposed to heat over time.
On the other side are the people who argue that the discoloration caused by age is not what the maker had in mind when he created the piece. When it was new the table or dresser would have been shiny. Without refinishing, they argue, you can't appreciate the beauty of the wood. Refinishing may reduce the value of the piece however. Once you decide to refinish, there's no going back. The original finish will be gone for good.
In rural areas, it may be difficult to find a wide variety of antiques to choose from. When this is the case experts say shopping online is perfectly acceptable. It's important to only deal with reputable dealers and established auction houses. Most auctioneers take online bids in addition to live bidding during an antique auction. Many dealers provide certificates of authenticity as proof of the age of a particular piece.
One of the easiest ways to determine whether or not you are looking at an old piece is to check for dovetails. Handmade pieces will be dovetailed. You will get more information by noting the size of the dovetails. The larger ones required less skill and indicate the craftsman was outside an urban area. Small dovetails are usually the mark of a professionally trained urban craftsman. Glue and nails indicate a newer piece made in a factory.
Most painters sign their works. It is rarer to find a table or chair signed by the creator. You can find manufacturer labels and stamps on furnishings however. You should look for these on the bottoms and backs of dresser drawers. Stamps and labels on tables and chairs are most likely found on their backs and bottoms.
You should certainly inspect any piece you are interested in for damage. The areas on a chair or dresser that get the most wear are where you are likely to see repairs or replacements. You should check the backs of wood chairs to see if the center supports have been replaced. On dressers, the feet tend to wear out first.
You should be less concerned about cracks. Old wood has had time to expand and contract. That's what causes the cracks and why experts say they usually don't negatively affect the value.
Experts have different opinions when it comes to the subject of refinishing. If you want pieces that are completely authentic, you won't be buying tables or chairs that have been refinished. Original wood on old furniture is generally purplish or black in color. The varnish is often crackled because it's been exposed to heat over time.
On the other side are the people who argue that the discoloration caused by age is not what the maker had in mind when he created the piece. When it was new the table or dresser would have been shiny. Without refinishing, they argue, you can't appreciate the beauty of the wood. Refinishing may reduce the value of the piece however. Once you decide to refinish, there's no going back. The original finish will be gone for good.
In rural areas, it may be difficult to find a wide variety of antiques to choose from. When this is the case experts say shopping online is perfectly acceptable. It's important to only deal with reputable dealers and established auction houses. Most auctioneers take online bids in addition to live bidding during an antique auction. Many dealers provide certificates of authenticity as proof of the age of a particular piece.
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When you are are looking for information about country and town house antique furniture Kensington residents can come to our website online today. More details are available at http://www.philipburkeantiques.net/about now.
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