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Antique furniture: How to choose a statement piece

May 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

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Anyone who has perused an antique store knows that there are usually hundreds, if not thousands, of small items for sale. Often cheaper (but not always) thereโ€™s something about purchasing a small antique piece that doesnโ€™t feel quite as intimidating as committing to something larger โ€“ a dipping of the toes if you will. But thereโ€™s no denying that a well-placed, statement antique can have major impact in both modern and retro interiors alike; but where does one start when setting out to purchase one?

I caught up with Sydney Fair exhibitor and antiques expert and purveyor Robbie Carter (of Eclectic Find) recently to glean some expert tips.

Alanna Smit home

Patience

Like most things in life, good things come to those who wait, and this maxim is especially true when it comes to finding a fabulous antique. โ€œPatience is often the key. It can take time to find the right piece, that’s why it is called antique hunting! I actually have a customer wait list for people on the hunt for a special and specific statement piece,โ€ says Robbie.

Alanna Smit home

Go with your gut

โ€œFind a piece that really speaks to you and says take me home! if it is painful to walk away then you probably shouldn’t because unlike other mass-produced decor pieces you may never find another one exactly the same,โ€ says Robbie. Like that pair of shoes you just canโ€™t stop thinking about, sometimes itโ€™s best to pounce so as to avoid regret down the line.

Cove Creatives

Be bold

I favour this attitude when it comes to most interior decisions but it certainly goes without saying when it comes to purchasing a statement antique. โ€œDon’t be afraid to be bold and daring. The more unusual and rarer the bigger the wow factor and the chance to show your individuality,โ€ says Robbie.

Alanna Smit home

Donโ€™t be afraid to mix old & new

Thereโ€™s no doubt that antiques have enduring appeal and weโ€™ve spoken to experts in the past who have demonstrated just how amazing they can look in modern homes and Robbie agrees. โ€œAntique pieces often have a time worn look and a beautiful aged patina that make a striking contrast when placed in a modern interior โ€“ this enhances the beauty of both the piece and its surrounds. I find these pieces draw the eye to certain sections of the home and gives a modern home character, depth and personality,โ€ says Robbie says that a feature wall that combines antique and contemporary art is one of her favourite looks.

Alanna Smit home

What’s trending?

As for what is currently trending, Robbie admits itโ€™s an eclectic mix that ranges from oil paintings to champagne buckets and Hollywood Regency pieces.

โ€œOriginal antique artworks, especially oil paintings and portraits are very popular. A lot of my customers own Airbnbโ€™s or are stylists looking to create an interesting gallery wall. Likewise, pieces for entertaining and creating a beautiful table scape are popular too โ€“ think authentic French champagne buckets, crystal ware, candle sticks and cutlery,โ€ says Robbie who cites bookends, inlaid Victorian boxes and anything Hollywood Regency as popular too. โ€œEspecially wall sconces and anything Mid Century bamboo.โ€

Alanna Smit home

Styling: Alanna Smit | Photography: Simon Whitbread & Dee Gerlach

The Sydney Fair is the stateโ€™s largest fair showcasing an exclusive range of antiques, jewellery, arts and some of the countryโ€™s most significant and rare objects. The Fair runs Thursday 30 May โ€“ Sunday 2 June 2019, at the Kensington Room, Royal Randwick Racecourse. Purchase tickets.

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

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Cheers! 

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Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

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Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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