Designers specializing in Southern interiors have a passion for incorporating antique treasures into their projects, embracing a variety of furniture styles in the process. In this article, designers share eight types of items they always keep an eye out for at antique stores and explain why these pieces are worth adding to their collections.
1. Statement Seating:
Maria Loveless, founder of The L&L Design Team in Manassas, Virginia, emphasizes the impact of antique chairs and settees on a living room’s ambiance. Whether it’s a Victorian chaise lounge or a mid-century modern armchair, these pieces bring personality and drama to a space. Loveless suggests mixing antique seating with modern pieces for a collected look that is both dynamic and visually compelling.
Julie Mishler of Bon Air Studio in Richmond, Virginia, shares how adding a 200-year-old chair to her walk-in closet enhanced the dimension and visual interest of the space.
2. Mirrors:
Antique mirrors are not just functional but also considered works of art according to Loveless. She appreciates the aged glass, ornate frames, and stories they reflect, making them unique and special. Cortney McClure of Cortney McClure Design in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, highlights the character and timeless appeal of antique gilt mirrors in her designs.
3. Two-Legged Consoles:
Colleen Waguespack, founder of Colleen Waguespack Interiors in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, values two-legged consoles for their space-saving design that fits flush against walls without the need to accommodate baseboard depth. These consoles are especially useful in narrow areas like foyers and dining rooms.
4. Swedish Gustavian Settees:
Waguespack favors Swedish Gustavian settees for their soft patina and often reupholsters them in durable vinyl fabrics. She finds these pieces perfectly suited for foyers or the foot of a bed, blending elegance with functionality.
5. Antique Lighting:
Callie Windle, from Dallas, Texas, emphasizes the importance of antique lighting in interior design projects, as it can often be overlooked. Antique lighting fixtures can add character and charm to a room while serving as a unique statement piece.
By incorporating these antique treasures into their designs, Southern interior designers create spaces that are rich in history, character, and style.
“An experienced electrician can ensure the safety of your wiring, making it perfectly safe to consider incorporating antique chandeliers, pendants, or sconces,” she suggests. “The unique patina these fixtures provide is truly unparalleled.”
Wooden Furniture
Windle also enjoys searching for cozy, wooden case goods and end tables, often envisioning creative new uses for them. “I adore repurposing an inlaid end table or a small chest as a nightstand, or transforming a weathered, rustic cabinet into a stylish bar for a kitchen,” she explains.
Dara Beitler, the founder of Dara Beitler Interiors in Potomac, Maryland, echoes this sentiment, saying, “I find great joy in reinventing a stunning antique chest of drawers as a vanity or a striking entryway focal point.”
Commodes
Nathan Shroder for Peyton Riley
Speaking of wooden furnishings, commodes have experienced a significant resurgence in popularity in recent years. “An antique commode serves as a sophisticated storage solution,” notes Peyton Riley, the founder of Peyton Riley Design in Dallas, Texas. “I particularly enjoy sourcing them for my clients’ homes as they can fit seamlessly into any room.”
Remember, you can think creatively when it comes to repurposing antique commodes—Riley often converts them into unique vanities whenever feasible.
Antique Crocks
Last but not least, be on the lookout for charming decorative items like antique crocks, which are a favorite of McClure’s. “Their versatility knows no bounds; they can serve as planters, utensil holders, or even as striking sculptural pieces that bring texture and character to any space,” she points out. “They exude that cozy, collected aesthetic that we all cherish.”
Related: 7 Designers Share Tips on Incorporating Antiques Into Your Home Decor, as featured on Southern Living
