Why Every Room Needs an Antique

Yippee!  Our latest container has bobbled its way across the sea, successfully docked in Savannah (after a freak dock fire diverted it to Charleston and wacky weather put a kink in getting it here to Atlanta) and is finally on its way to Huff Harrington Home.  We’ve been busy moving furniture around to make room for new goodies, called the photographer, put the movers on alert to help unpack – and we’re ready for its arrival this coming Friday.

We sent Ann off to several antique foires back in early December and thanks to the power of Dropbox and texting, we were able to have a daily recap of the one-of-a-kind pieces she unearthed for us – and we’re giving her an A+ for this newest load of French treasures.

Ann found some gorgeous scales that we’ll be happily unloading.

Antique chairs waiting to be snapped up.

We’ve got crusty, crunchy tables; pretty Swedish-style chairs; doors and clever little knockers; iron street lanterns (that would be incredible over a dining table); consoles galore; elegant barometers (our new passion) and an assortment of rare and authentic jarres  (our other new passion)  And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

 

We’re crazy about this adorable door knocker…and the 13-foot door it was attached to.

You just can’t replicate a couple centuries worth of patina.

There are lots of reasons why we just love shopping for antiques – any trip to France is a treat and when you throw in an antiques or buying fair, a couple early morning glasses of bubbly and, (we truly mean this) the very, very nicest and funniest vendors - it just gets better and better.

But more importantly than that, we’ve always believed passionately that antiques bring an undeniable soul, character and patina to a room.  Of course, since we’re crazy about le mix, we like our antiques sitting next to something that’s the complete opposite – like a Mies Van der Rohe chair paired with a gloriously intricate Louis mirror.

Perfection.  Old and new, sleek and ornate. This can only be Paris….from Elle Decor.

Atlanta’s Kay Douglass is great at marrying crunchy with new that make for fresh and unusual interiors.

Luckily, lots of our clients share our philosophy which is why it’s so fun to work with them. We’re inspired on a daily basis by what we see out there and it makes us so happy that antiques (and the sweet treasures we uncover in a frosty field in France) are being put to good and useful purpose in homes in this day and age.  There’s something about seeing a humble but sturdy 19th century work table transported to a fancy Southern outdoor porch and being used for fun family gatherings and parties.

We love crunchy old work tables that get a new lease on life as dining tables or consoles.

Maybe our table will end up in a gorgeous garden like this lucky piece. From Pinterest.

We’re suckers for a simple and elegantly-lined 18th-century chest taking center stage in a living room.

 

 This is one of our favorite French finds: a glorious 18th century walnut buffet. It simply glows with the most gorgeous patina that only comes from a century or two of use and love.

And here’s a similar piece that Atlanta designer Barbara Westbrook used for one of her installations:

 The wall color is divine – and the gleaming buffet adds a little weight and pedigree to the whole space.  Barbara Westbrook and House Beautiful.

Another treasure we found in Paris – a fanciful 18th century gold Louis mirror…

And here’s how a mirror like this can add major ohhh la la:

 

Atlanta design maven, Suzanne Kasler, is a master at using antiques to add major drama to a room. Love this…

 

 Antiques and new pieces work so beautifully here. The room is oozing with character and charm.  From House Beautiful.

Designer Tammy Connor uses a big and gorgeous armoire to anchor this room.  It makes the new chairs and clean-lined coffee table just sing.

We love the work of Birmingham-based designer, Tammy Connor.  Tammy loves the warmth and personality antiques add to a space and she uses them liberally in her installations:

This foyer is just gorgeous…and the gleaming chest is warm and welcoming.  This feels so fresh and new.

 

Velvet and Linen‘s Brooke Gianetti also loves the mix and match of old with new.

Everyday old serving pieces and antique hotel silver bring this pretty kitchen to life. From Velvet and Linen.

 

A couple pretty little pieces are the perfect touch to this room. From Velvet and Linen.

 

Amy D. Morris uses a pretty little table as a bathroom console.

An elegant chest, a wildly carved antique chair and a great abstract painting to pull it all together: that’s le mix. From Amy D. Morris.

So, any minute now the store will be filled to the brim with a new collection of well-loved and beautifully aged pieces.  We can’t wait to feast our eyes on these beauties and better yet, can’t wait to find them happy homes where they’ll add simple dignity, character and charm.