How Old Are You?

 

How old is an item-or How do you determine the age of a piece?

When it comes to Antique-Vintage pieces, there are many ways I determine the age-or at least a Ball Park idea.

1. The Look- The wear & tear on the piece- an old piece should look old-there should be some wear -and the piece should show it's age.

2. The Condition- The quality of the materials, & How it is made-with Dovetail

3. Antiques are 100 years old or older- and Usually have softer-rounded edges.

There are many reproductions-so examining the piece, can lead to which you have.

Is it made with Square Nails- which were used before 1820's

Pulling out the drawers to see the craftsmanship

* Example of the Dovetail-

Large Dovetail is Early 18th Century

Smaller Dovetail began being used in the 19th Century and if they are more evenly spaced then they were made by machines and made during the Victorian Era.

An example of an Antique Chippendale Chair-

There should be some wear on the top edge- where it would/should get the most wear from grabbing over the years from hands that have natural oils in them.(should be darker in color)

There should be some dings on arms from bumping of table-walls or other items.

These re-production Chairs (Chippendale Style) from Pottery Barn are made to look a bit worn..

When working with Upholstery-Usually the more you dig into them and tear apart the layers-the history will show through.

Older pieces-are stuffed with horse hair-and definitely more fragile- some have hand made screws or square nails inside holding the lining together & again as seen here-you can see the discoloration of the wood from age & natural wear.

Whether you buy because you Love the style-detail-character of the piece or if your buying because you collect antiques-

Always good to know what your purchasing & the value of it.

The Rose Settee

Keeping with my Love of French Settee's.

I bought this Wonderful Piece from a friend of mine.

This Rose Settee.

The Detailed Carved Frame, The Lovely Curvature and Style are just Beautiful..

But not exactly in this fabric.

This was the First one I did mixing the textures-fabrics-style.

Using a Soft Neutral -Classy Darker Linen,

But leaving the original Burlap on for the back, I Did recover the back of the piece-so it has a more finished look.

Adding some Pillows ,and one with a burlap ruffle to tie in the burlap back.

They are just so sweet at the end of a bed-corner of a room-office or as an accent piece, Ive even recently seen one on a porch-How Darling would that be.

The French Settee

The French Settee.

The Beautiful Hand Carved Frame,

Cabriole Legs of this one from Bella Cottage.

The Fluted Legs on this one also From Bella Cottage.

The Small Stature-Detail Flower Work along Frame all are just exquisite.

The Wonderful Simple Elegance in Linen from this one at Layla Grace.

Or this one From Gracefully Vintage (I just Brought In)with the Two Differ. Fabrics- Original Burlap Back-with tacking-Mixed with the soft Neutral Textured Linen and Over Stuffed Linen Pillows.

For Now I'm loving the Mixing of Textures especially on these Ultra French Settees with Delicate Lines.

Holiday Lighting..

As I love Chandeliers, I Found some Beauties to share-

This one in Veranda -is just so stunning with all the draping of the Crystals-the Gilded Gold-Just Breath Taking.

How Darling is this one with pretty pink beads and whimsy ornaments dangling down..

So Fun, not so much a Chandelier but a pot rack-adorned by greenery-reds and shiny silver pots-pans-gives you the illusion of a Pretty Chandelier.. 

While this one isn't of a Chandelier -but Beautiful Sconces-

How they make the room & set the stage for Holiday Elegance 

And well this one is just plain fun.

Sometimes it isn't just lighting-but the Center Piece of your home.

Spruce up Your Wreath..

This Lil Wreath is from Michael's-

Cute-But a lil Plain-Small.

Went out in to our Front Yard- Cut some branches off our tree & as well as some from our Christmas Tree -So there was a variety of textures-

Clipped these ones off some bushes in our Yard as well

Bought this Artificial Bunch of Bright Greenery.

Clipped the pieces to smaller sizes-and just pieced together in the wreath- added more where needed- to give it an even look-going around and using the Branch's of the wreath that are made of wire-to some what hold together as well.

Adding the misc styles-shades-textures of greenery mixing real and artificial gives it a more realistic look and brings the smell of the tree inside as well.

I added a small simple ribbon to hang from my Hutch.

Small-Easy-Affordable way to bring Christmas to every room.

Holiday Mantels...

Holiday Mantels..

Simple & Classic

Pretty with Reds & Whites..

Full with Greenery.

Soft Shades of White..

Beauitful Greens & Reds..

SO many styles-themes & all tell a story of you..

Happy Thanksgiving!!

                                  Happy Thanksgiving

-Karryann (xoxo)

Religious Relics

The Beauty-The History & The Rich Sense of a look back in time. I Adore & am so Facinated with Religious Relic & Especially This time of year.

Relics of St. Cynillus Italian Romanesque

The Saints at Tabernacle

The Beautiful Aachen Cathedral in Germany

Orvieto Cathedral in Italy

St. Peters Cathedral in Vatican City

Just Breath Taking these all are, I think it is the History as well as the Beauty-the Detail that  Im in love with-On my list of To Do's..

Christmas Trees..

I absolutely Love Christmas.

I love the Magic it brings, I love the Spirit, the Music, I love to hunt for the perfect gift, to bake and mostly LOVE to Decorate..

If I could I would have a tree as big as the one that sits in Rockefeller Center in New York.

All lit up they are just so Breath Taking & Majestic to me.

Every Year we Drive to Grass Valley to Hunt & Cut ours down and usually get one bigger than we should and end up cutting a bit off.

There are so many themes-styles to go with when decorating your tree-and now not just meant for the Family room.

But the Dining Room.

Another Perfect Spot is the Kitchen. 

Always Beautiful in the Family or Living room next to the Fireplace.

Change it up a bit and use topiary's instead to frame your Fireplace.

Bring in touches of pinks and whimsy.

Swag hung along the top of the Curtains is Lovely as well.

So Sweet is the Old Fashion Tinsel Trees with a touch of White near your Stairs..

Even in a modern setting, just a dab of Christmas with this all white wreath.

Darling is this Sparse Tree with just a bit of ornaments to welcome you in, in this entry way.

How Fun is this Room..

Why we have a Tree of some sort in every room-Just So I can decorate each tree in a differ style-theme..

Happy Holiday Decorating..