Antiques Articles

Country French Antiques and a Timeless Lifestyle

Long ago on one of my early buying trip to the South of France in search of Country French antiques, I was introduced to talented young lady named Brigitte who spoke good English ~ which was a rarity in those days. After we got to know each other she graciously invited me to her family home, and being new to the French Provençal experience, I jumped at the chance.

It was the summer in Provence and after taking small and winding road, which meandered up a rocky hill, we suddenly saw the farmhouse~ awash with warm ochre-colored stucco walls and adorned with bright blue shutters over an ivy-covered façade. As I entered the home I was immediately charmed by what I have since learned to know and love ~ the Country French interior. The furniture was elegant yet simple, creating a welcoming ambiance with antiques exuding the warm glow of rich, honey-toned patinas acquired through the centuries. Brigitte proceeded to show me around her ancestral home, telling me the stories behind each and every piece of French antique furniture that her family loved and cherished for generations.

The spacious kitchen, which was open to the living room, housed the most impressive piece of all ~ a massive Country French armoire. Brigitte explained that this beautiful armoire had been in her family since the 18th century, and that a small dent on the side was made during the French Revolution by one of the careless revolutionaries traveling through their village over 200 years ago. As we proceeded, each room revealed a discovery of timeless treasures of Country French antiques and furniture that were acquired by her ancestors. My host further explained that local artisans hand-crafted the Louis XV style 18th century Country French commode from walnut trees grown in the region. After the enlightening tour of this amazing home we ventured out onto the shady terrace surrounded by a rambling garden filled with olive trees, rosemary, lavender, and vegetables of all kinds.

The warm summer breeze was rustling the leaves of fruit trees near the limestone-covered terrace with sunlight peaking through the canopy. Before us was a rustic Country French farm table, stripped of its original finish by Father Time. It was covered with a veritable feast, resplendent with local Provençal gastronomy. We thoroughly enjoyed a delicious meal overflowing with conversation, food and wine for at least three hours, although it seemed like much less time had actually passed.

"Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced", said John Keats around the turn of the 19th century. My first memorable encounter with the warm and engaging villagers of rural France taught me more about the life and essence of Country French style than any history book ever could. It sparked an appreciation and understanding of the exuberant and lyrical essence of all things Country French~ its antiques, its heritage, its beauty and its long cultural legacy.

Furnishing your new home

Moving into a new place? Well the most interesting part of doing so is the chance to furnish the place as you wish, in a way that totally reflects the person that you are. You may be totally into minimalism believing that a choice few pieces of furniture are enough for functionality. You could be a person who prefers to have everything matching, with all the pieces of furniture smoothly blending together to create harmony.

You could also be the type of person who likes to throw together a range of different types of furniture to create a unique mix, a style completely your own. Depending on the size of your new place you can have a great time scouring around second hand shops and auctions as you hunt for bargains and unique pieces. It may take time and some effort but the end result will be well worth it as you slowly see your place beginning to build its own character.

Take each individual area into consideration and make a list of the essentials that you will need to make the room functional. For example you may have to take time with such purchases as tables, carpets and sofas but should immediately make sure to get a bed or mattress depending on your budget, knives and forks, spoons and glasses for everyday use.

While it is nice to throw together a range of different types of furniture every home should have that one piece that can be considered the `piece de resistance’, the crowning glory of the home. For such it is always good to consider a good quality antique, something that can be with you even when you move, as you know it will complement any home. Check out the range of Victorian antique furniture and select a piece that is functional and suitable for your place. Antiques last the test of time and add character to a place with its timeless beauty. Also you know that it will only grow in its value as time goes by.

Furnishing your new home is an experience to be enjoyed and savoured as it gives you a sense of satisfaction to see the place take on character. Imagine the fun when your friends come over and admire your handy work. You could always get their advice as well and enjoy weekend trips as you visit out of town garage sales and auctions in your hunt for the ideal item for your home. While the task may seem daunting at first, it is an experience to be enjoyed.

Vintage Travel Posters: Home Décor Is Of Max Appeal Now

Vintage travel posters are not just decent souvenirs that you can pick while on a journey abroad, these can also be the best home décor items in true artistic sense. The demand for such posters has been prevalent all these years and everyone with a creative mind will certainly take interest in them. It will undoubtedly excite you if purchase a few posters reflecting different travel themes. These posters are really inspirational and these also have the ability to make your home look the most elegant place to be!

Vintage travel posters are proud to feature various travel themes and motifs of the likes of places, people, events happening at a particular moment or spot. Posters depicting real life travel stories of different geographical locations now can be easily purchased on a vintage poster selling site. Such a site is easily accessible and it gives you full freedom to choose your preferred payment option, no matter whether you are paying through PayPal or through VISA/Mastercard transaction.

There are hundreds of vintage travel posters in store in a single site. This means, you can purchase that very popular travel poster that you have been dreaming to make all yours all these years. The good thing is that posters are now being sold at really attractive rates. Just by spending a few dollars, you will be a proud possessor of a travel poster at its original shape, size and material. The vintage poster sellers give you the advantage of enjoying ‘no questions asked’ return policy. So, if you are not satisfied with anything in rare cases, then you can exchange the poster for another decent one. Authenticity of the posters is 100 % guaranteed.

British, French, German, American, Italian, Spanish, Swiss are the major subcategories under the travel posters head in a poster selling site. As additional offerings, the ‘other’ sub category of most of these sites proffers posters from other places which are not included in the major sub categories. Using different keywords, you can search for a travel vintage poster. If you already know what you are going to purchase, you just need to put the name of the poster in the search tab and find it instantly, provided it’s available with the online store. Once payment is made and confirmed, your poster would reach to you within virtually no time

How to Identify Antique Statues?

Antique collection is really a passionate hobby. An antique collector likely has curiosity on understanding the histories of particular places and arts also. The question might arise, how you can determine the antique statues? The following tips could be helpful by some means to recognize real antique statues.
An antique statue can by no means have sharp ends. Because of the friction whilst handling for numerous years, some parts of the statue may be observed scrubbed and also the carving can be observed faded. Moreover, the areas of statues are shiny also.
Prior to discovering the age of the antique statue one should study the statue cautiously. The artwork and also the styles on the statue are most useful to understand the year as well as it will help to know how special the piece is. Eventually, it will also help to understand the materials utilized like brass, copper or bronze. 
Another ways to learn concerning the antique statue is to study the history of the manufacturer via which one can find out the worth of the statue. This will also provide more knowledge about the statue and the artwork associated using the statue. 
Capturing the pictures of the statue can ease the job. So, consider pictures of the statue from every angle such as the carvings, signal or stamps on the statue. This will help in the research.
One may also find different reliable resources to understand about the age of an antique statue. A museum could be the best source to study about antiques. An antique expert may also help you identify the age and get to know more concerning the statue. Internet and libraries will also be excellent source to find out concerning the statues of particular time period. 
Certain resources can be useful to identify the actual antique like magnifying glass, Black- light and Digital Cameras. These tools will simplify the identification of the antique statue.

Are Country French Antiques Period Unique?

It is a moot point whether country French antiques are really period unique genre. Antique furniture lovers around the world agree that the French country style adds warmth and depth to the living environment. During its early days of origin, French country style was referred to as Provincial Style furniture. French country antiques gained their roots from countryside or rural regions of France.
Traditionally, true country style blended with the farmhouse styles found within different regions of France. The blending consisted of many different styles and periods. This came to be known as French Country style or Country French antiques. It is difficult indeed to associate any particular period to this style. Many persons familiar with French antiques have had the difficulty locating it historically.
Though there is no typical genre we can assign to the country French antiques, the designs of this style had elements of the Renaissance period, Restoration period and Neo-classical period. However, it is very difficult even for the three periods' experts to segregate each individual style. This is because of the blending of all the three styles into this one style. The style becomes original and you are left with French Country Style.
What can be recognized or categorized in this style is that it represents the farming life of the peasants of France. It later became popular with the middle income earners. French Country Style furniture is a blend of furniture designs from various eras. However, the lines are much more simplistic, the woods more durable and the overall color is lighter.
There is another debatable point as to why lives of peasants have to be romanticized in country French antiques. This concept is attributed to the dogma of Rousseau. He advocated less restrictions of societal influences and the work of this time represented this thought process. The peasant got an upper hand in this manner. Surprisingly later on upper class French women made an attempt to incorporate the peasant way of life within their households.
French Country antiques may be considered a good option. An assemblage of many antique styles, make a great choice for a warm home. Tables for the kitchen, hutches, and armoires are classic French Country Style items.