Antique-vintage-retro

Jul16

The following three words are commonly used in interior design and related books. Sometimes still it’s not obvious when to use which.
Antique: marker of furniture, objects of art, or artisanship older than 100 years, independently of style. Its age, originality, condition, the manufacturer and rarity is important for collectors (full collection in case of a set). A restoration gives them back their original pomp.
Vintage: marker of objects that are younger than 100 but older than 15 years, concerning rather to their condition than age. It is a classification of strongly used, shabby surfaced furniture and household objects which marks even a style. It means rethought, reused, modified/renewed objects also. Giving vintage look to a new object is a distinct genre. It is not equivalent with the shabby chic style.
Retro: marker of household and decoration objects of years from the 50s to (presently) the 80s. Their age is old „only”. It is also a marker of objects that are new but made look like in the style or shapes of this era. Collectors are motivated by nostalgia and emotional bondage but of course originality and condition are also important. Retro has a pejorative meaning, “out of fashion”.
In case of uncertainty, ask for help of a professional dating an object.

Suitcases

Jul9

Summer holiday begins with packing all the needed stuff in the suitcases. This happened the same way in old times also, but suitcases looked a bit different. They had no wheels, pull-out handles and combination locks. They were frequently made of leather/faux-leather with propping only in their frames. Box-like, inflexible-sided versions were popular too, which looked like very big briefcases. Quality pieces of old times often served a lifetime. They were even inherited through generations laying in attics or used as storages. In lucky case they had stickers of the visited towns on their sides. If we would like to keep these old pieces but use them also, give them a new life by transforming them to our needs.
Separate the two equal part of the suitcase at the hinges. Make a wooden brace frame created by a carpenter (if that is a flexible-sided suitcase, it needs a brace there too). Place two shelves in it, so that a computer can be fitted in. The ventilation and attaching cables are guaranteed because it is open in the front and the back also. Fix four small legs on the bottom. Leave the original handle, locks and other parts on it, these are great decorating elements. It will look good placed beside the desk in a classic or even in an industrial interior.
Our pets deserve comfortable lairs, but those in shops are quite expensive. The old suitcase can be good for this purpose also with a little fantasy. Open the cover in right angle. Fix it in this position on both sides with braces. Drill four holes on the bottom for screwing the legs. Upholster a custom-cut foam or a big cushion with the desired (washable) fabric. Put it in the lower part of the suitcase, but it should cover the screws of the legs. We can pad the upper part too but if the lining remains visible, it will look very good also. There will be enough space even for our pet’s toys. This is a stylish lair for dogs and cats.
Suitcases can get a new life as wall shelves also. Cut into two parts lengthwise the closed, inflexible-sided suitcase. This way handle will be on one side, the hinges on the other. Fix it on the wall by a pre-drilled console, but the console should be hidden by it. Another solution: drill the suitcase on the wall uprightly. This way the wall cabinet has a sidelong opening „door” that can serve as a mini bar or a medicine cabinet.
Pile up several suitcases (if they are not inflexible-sided, they should be filled with e.g. polystyrene bricks). Reaching the desired height it will be a perfect night table. We can make a night table from one piece only if we fix long legs to the laid suitcase. The inflexible-sided variation is a much more practical choice for this.
Of course, antique suitcases will be showy using them as „only” storage boxes. Ask for help of an interior designer for more ideas.

Rococo

Jun4

Rococo came to be in France at the beginning of the 18th century and was popular until the 1780s. The origin of the name is the word rocaille which is a mix of pebbles, cement and seashells. The new style was a kind of rebellion against the rigidity of Baroque. The nobles desired more free, playful and more decorated surroundings after the death of Louis XIV. It culminated under the reign of Louis XV., in which his lover, Madame Pompadour had a great role also.
Rococo is actually a decorating style. Everything was decorated with carvings and gypsum decors, mostly gilded. There were twisty vine scrolls, flower and fruit garlands, C and S volutes, shell motifs around pictures/mirrors, on furniture (especially on console tables, commodes and tables), on the walls of the rooms and also on the ceiling. Genres came in fashion in painting which reflected the idealized thoughts and desires of the nobles about the world (e.g. A. Watteau, F. Boucher). Slightly looser themes weren’t taboos anymore at all, not only mythological figures were depicted without clothes and/or in piquant settings. Toile de Jouy pattern visualized the pastoral idyll which was „born” in that time. Chinoiserie was an important part of Rococo also which brought the far Eastern culture in the royal courts. Furniture was lacquered, decorated with painted scenes, ormolu and inlays became popular. Colors were muted, white and pastel shades were fashionable. Thanks to the formation of the European porcelain producing, miniature statues and figures appeared. These were placed on the mantelpiece or console table as decorating elements. Their theme was joy or love. There were many lace trimmings, ribbons, bows and embroideries on the clothes, powdered wigs and gloves were important accessories. The institution of salon appeared where the chosen companionship gathered and lived a vivid intellectual life. Rococo style gave a special surrounding for this.
From today’s point of view, Rococo might be a bit „too much”. However, it can be replaced into today’s interiors also with holding in the amount of gildings and decorations and handling the main features as only examples. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.

Parquetry patterns

May28

The history of parquet flooring goes back to the Renaissance. The wooden floor tiles were laid in V-shape since the middle of the 16th century. The two oldest patterns are herringbone and chevron. These are the most popular today also but they are frequently mixed up.
Reputedly herringbone patterned parquetry was first laid by Italian craftsmen in 1539 for the French king Francis I. In this classic pattern, the pieces are in right angle so that the short side of one piece gets to the end of the other’s long side. Actually they show a zigzag pattern but its line is broken.
However, there are pointed peaks in chevron pattern (named after the V-shaped rank sign), this way the chock-shape is created. The pieces are cut in mitter, the ends are joined this way, so the pattern will be continuous. Nowadays ready-made floor and wall tiles are available.
The two patterns mentioned above are frequent not only as floor but as wall decorations also. They can be created from wall tiles (e.g. subway tiles), floor tiles or even vinyl flooring, not only from wood parquetry. They look good both in classic and modern interiors.
Luckily, parquetry is fashionable again, more and more people want to save the old wooden flooring of the building being renovated. It is really worth to spend money and time for it unless it is in too bad condition, since it will be beautiful and valuable part of the interior. It will look as good as new with gap-filling, grinding and lacquering (probably changing its color by burnishing).
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper patterns.

Old fridges

May9

Refridgerators anno

Types of ceramics

Feb26

Various ceramics are present in our homes as interior domestic and decoration objects. Commonly we don’t care what they are made of and to which group of the main term they belong. Here is a brief review which can be useful in the case of planning to collect similar objects.
The main features of porcelain that provides its popularity are whiteness and translucency. Kaolin is the main material used. It is burnt glazed between 1200 and 1400 °C temperature. The two types of forming it are pottering and molding. It was discovered in China in the 14th century. The first porcelain manufactures appeared in Europe only in the 18th century (France, Prussia, England).
Terracotta is clay based, glazed or unglazed type of ceramics. This is the earliest material used in history. The end product’s surface is porous, brownish-orange in color, burnt around 1000 °C temperature. It is formed by potter’s wheel. The raw material is very soft, easy to form and decorate by different tools.
Stoneware were already made around 1900 B.C in the valley of Indus. The name is deceptive because the material is a special clay and not stone. It is burnt in a furnace between 1100 and 1300 °C. The end product’s surface is not porous and very hard. It is a non-transparent and commonly glazed ceramic.
Biscuit is an unglazed type of ceramics which is the product after the first burning in a lower temperature. It remains porous which makes glazing easy. Its surface is much finer and marble-like, its shine depends on the temperature of burning. It came to fashion in the second half of the 18th century.
Jasperware is unglazed, matte ceramic which was invented by Josiah Wedgewood in the 1770s. Its special blue version, the Wedgewood blue is the most well-known. The surface is applied with relief work (commonly white). Barium is the main material used.
Ironstone is similar to stoneware as to durability and hardness. It was developed in Staffordshire in the 19th century. It was a much cheaper alternative of porcelain made in mass production. Doesn’t contain iron in contrast with its name.
All types are popular among collectors. Carefully look after the features, production marks and possible injuries before buying antique pieces.

Thousand faces of classic style

Jan29

The „classic style” terminology sometimes causes difficulties to the prospective customer, there is a situation when it directly deters him/her from using the service. This definition in public awareness is equal to beige-brown colors, huge and over-decorated furniture or heavy draperies. Classic style however has several faces and all of them can be complemented with any technical solution which provides the comfort of present times.
Historical styles definition means those trends which were specific to a certain historical era, not only in interior design but almost every aspects of life. They contain music, literature, fine arts, architecture, gardening design, fashion etc. They closely linked to each other, just like we can see in historical books. Following these, it’s not necessary to completely copy furnishing of for example a palace, for reaching the desired effect, since the scales probably are quite different now and then. It might be enough to pick two or three main features from the all and the other details should be shaped for these to get a harmonious general aspect. Some examples without limitation: ancient Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, Victorian.
Styles using special features of countries and lands can be also called classic. Commonly they evoke the chosen style with using antique objects, archaic shapes, typical colors and materials, which cannot be reflected by a modern/minimal interior (of course, there are such homes also everywhere). It’s the total effect what really matters. Some examples without limitation: Provencal, Moroccan, (any kind of) rural, seaside style.
Thematic styles, as I call, are interior design solutions which based on a theme. This can be a movie, a city or even a present popular trend. They have in common using classic tracing furniture, accessories and decoration objects, if it is possible, together with antique pieces. Colors help a lot in this case also to reach the goal. Some examples without limitation: shabby chic, steampunk, Paris, industrial style.
Modern classic style cannot be classified to the previously mentioned groups, but probably this is the most common. The bigger furniture, architectural details (mouldings, rosette, wall panel etc.), upholstery, floor coverings are all classic, but colors, accessories, decorating objects represent a more modern trend. These together make the effect sophisticated.
Don’t be afraid of the classic style term. Everybody can find the perfect one of them. Ask for help of an interior designer for implementing.

Pine furniture

Jan17

Old pine furniture don’t need to be painted anyway. They will have a good effect in adequate surroundings (styles, colors).

Kilim carpet

Nov15

Kilim/kelim: A flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced by nomads in countries of Central Asia and Asia minor. It’s made of wool or goat’s-hair. It’s characteristic motifs are stylized portrayals.

Ancient Greek and Roman style

Nov13

The antique Roman and Greek culture was not only dominant in ancient times, but it has returned several times (renaissance, classicism, neo-renaissance, neoclassicism) during the history in interior design also by architecture and arts.
The surviving buildings and household objects show that colors were chosen from neutral, natural palette thanks to the used materials: for example, the white of marble and cream color of limestone. Fabrics were dyed with paint made of herbal, animal and mineral materials. Landscapes and genres were painted directly on the walls. Seating furniture had no upholstery but cushions were already used. Architecture and sculpture served both the sacral, public and private life. Three kinds of columns were characteristic architecture elements: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. Probably acanthus leaf, volute and meander are the most well-known among decorating motifs. Buildings were decorated with colored decorations and gilding but these wore off during centuries. Floor was frequently covered with small mosaics, floor heating was also used.
The magic of the ancient world can be smuggled into our homes fitting for today’s modern principles also. Wide range of mosaic tiles can be found among pavements. Natural stones can be purchased not only for floor tiles but wall paneling also as ultra thin stone-veneer and stone-wallpaper. Let’s use hollow faux pillars as decorating elements if they fit for the evolving of the flat/house. Furniture decorated with caryatids, antiqued metal accessories (faucets, lamps, handles etc.), white gypsum statues and amphora shaped vases can make our endeavor to this style more accented. Stay with natural combinations of beiges, whites and browns, these can be more luxurious with a tint of gold (for example, golden mosaic decoration in the bathroom). Any bright color will look good with these as additional color.
Ask for help of an interior designer for creating ancient style interior.