Welcome Spring with a New Vision for Your Home

As you know by now, I am passionate about antiques. I love their history, their quality, their impact on interior design and their value. In previous articles, I have written about the marketplace for antiques. Antiques are still a great value and still relevant in home design today.

Open any home magazine and you will see vintage and antique pieces in photos of high-end homes as well as more cost-conscious homes. Readers of The Rockport Observer may differ in aesthetics and lifestyles, but that is the cool thing about antiques. There is something for everyone - from simple lines to heavily carved ornate cabinets. Today’s trend or the direction of consumers’ purchases can be summarized easily:  clean lines, practical décor and fewer pieces.

For some time the heavy, both physically and figuratively, pieces have been falling out of favor. Those tall, triple door armoires are being passed over. If they sell, it is at a quarter of the price they sold for 20 years ago. Given the labor and quality that went into creating these pieces, it is hard to believe. In addition, the excessive use of decorative pieces is giving way to fewer choice pieces. One may capitalize on the trends by buying such pieces when the market value is lower. And, using those heavy and fussy pieces sparingly can make a wonderful focal point for a room and still be on trend.

In the design world, everything comes full circle. Vintage pieces from the 1960s with their clean lines and practical application to our current lifestyles are drawing more interest currently. This clean aesthetic is not unique to the 1960s. Take a look at French Deco and Ming Style pieces from China. Knowing what periods and cultures produced clean line decorative objects and furniture pieces can focus your hunt. An antique dealer can also help with your search.

An Interesting Mix

Mixing things has been on trend for some time. If clean lines are your overall theme, you can create interest by mixing pieces from various places and times. Currently, my shop has a fabulous Adrian Pearsall Gondola sofa that sits in front of a drop-dead gorgeous, eight-panel Chinese screen. The sofa has built-in end tables that cantilever out on each side. The end tables are decked out with vintage barware - both Danish modern and American - along with matching 1960s lamps.

The clean lines of the sofa with a plain fabric contrast perfectly with the bold pattern of the screen. Nothing is overly fussy. Oh, and the new pillow in an animal print is also fabulous.It is a balance that works!

Even if a low-slung sofa is not to your liking, the idea of less is more is still a key trend. Letting the eye rest on pops of interest through fabric, wall color or a piece of furniture seems to be the direction of those furnishing or editing their space today.

Rotating

Restraint is not easy. For those who love beautiful objects and may be overwhelmed by the idea of “editing”, the solution could be to rotate items in your collection. Store your winter objects and bring out others for a spring re-do.

A pottery collection is a great thing to rotate. A collection of monochromatic pottery grouped together can give a room weight, interest and cohesiveness. Green glaze pottery from the 1940s seems to be in demand today. Even if the pottery is from various makers and the shades of green are not exactly the same, a grouping can make an eye-catching focal point and be a great way to introduce spring into your home.

I think it is important to create a space that is not only functional but also inviting. The various antique and vintage shops in northeastern Ohio are great resources. Is it frivolous to put so much time and effort into the details of your personal space? The answer is no! Look around for inspiration; keep it simple and functional. Create points of interest by pairing complex or ornate pieces with clean line furniture. You will not only add a pop of interest to the room but also find it easier to rotate when you gather or collect in this method.

So, welcome spring with a new vision for your home. Look around your home and see what can be edited out, what can be grouped together, what needs a pop of interest. Photograph your rooms. Take the pictures with you when you are combing through the great shops of northeastern Ohio. You will have good pictures of your space that will help salespeople and shop owners make suggestions and recommendations.