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Sunday, January 11, 2009

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How Antiques Fit Perfectly With Many Decorating Styles

By Andrew Caxton

Antiques can really make a house look impressive and sophisticated if you know what you are doing. However, there is a chance that you can get it wrong so you do need to research beforehand so that you know you are getting it right and that your home will benefit.

Have you ever thought about using antiques to brighten up your home? Some people consider antiques to be a little dated and they would never think of having them in their own home; however they can add a sophisticated touch without looking too imposing.

How to Make Antiques Work for You

Antiques are generally associated with old houses. However more and more people are starting to use them in their modern homes as they find that they can really brighten up the living space. You can purchase antiques from a number of different places and it is even possible to find them at your local flea market. So what classes as an antique?

Well generally an antique is old. It may sound obvious but people do still wonder just how old something has to be before it is considered an antique. The best way to find out how old something is is to take it to a valuer. They will be able to tell you what period it is from which will tell you its age. They should also tell you how valuable it is and antiques are usually fairly valuable!

So once you start to realize what an antique is, it is then that you will be able to find various different things for your home that will add that little antique look.

The various antiques you can pick up include ones which are in perfect condition, but sometimes people prefer something which shows its age. Perhaps something with a slight missing detail to it will suit your home more? Perhaps you are looking for a antique wardrobe or an antique chest of drawers? It seems to be common these days to have an antique chair or unit to go in the living room too. You can pick these various items up from an antique auction and generally the dark wooden antiques are the ones which most people prefer.

One of the main things to keep in mind is that antiques do have the ability to look good in a modern setting, but they also have the potential to look ugly. You should never buy something just because of its antique status. If you do this you run the risk of putting an antique in your home which brings down the tone of the room. People will walk in and instantly be drawn to the ugly, antique in the corner. So, ensure that it looks good and that it will fit in with the rest of the interior design.

Overall with antiques it is easy to get it wrong but if you spend time researching you have the ability to make your home look fantastic. Spend time looking around and going to antiques fairs if you can as well as auctions. Know what is in and what isnt and also get a feel for what would go well within your home. Antiques can look good but you do have to know what you are doing.

About The Author

Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles with reference to home decoration for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on decorating styles at his website.

Hints About antique oak furniture

Porous pottery and ironstone can be cleaned with wig bleach obtained from a beauty salon.
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A badly worn or discolored varnish should probably be removed. But, if the finish is shellac, it should be restored or left "as is," never stripped or replaced. If you aren't sure which is on your antique table or desk, find out before you touch it with a stripper.
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LARGER REPAIRS. Before tackling a large repair, especially one that's going to be prominent when the furniture is displayed, be sure that you've practiced on easier pieces. If you're restoring veneer or inlay, or even paint or varnish, experiment with several less valuable pieces first. Also, check your public library or bookstores for manuals that explain construction and repair of the kind of furniture you own. Many of them provide useful tips. Above all, learn all that you can before you start any repair, particularly if the furniture has sentimental value. Start with easy fixes, and practice to build your knowledge and confidence before attempting big or tricky repairs. No antique furniture will look "like new" again, and in most cases, it shouldn't. But, if you treat your antiques well, they will become more valuable each year, and be treasured by each generation that owns them.
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Antique clocks must be cleaned and lubricated every five years. To set most clocks, hold the minute hand in the center, turn it clock-wise, wait for each strike. Wind fully each time, but do not over-wind.
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To polish brass make a paste of equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar. Rub on brass with a soft cloth. Rinse completely. Shine with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
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Your Latest antique oak furniture News

Estate Jewelry - Antique or Vintage - Which is Which

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:21:51 -0600
When it comes to estate jewelry there is always much confusion about what is and what is not estate jewelry. Although many pieces of estate jewelry are antique, many pieces are also vintage, retro, or fairly modern. Estate jewelry also does not mean fine jewelry. Estate jewelry can be costume or ...

Old World Collectibles

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:22:01 -0600
Over 2000 items of Old World home decor and decorative collectibles, and an article about Mastering Old World Skills. The Reality TV programs of today have taught us how little we know about the old world's survival skills, or the ability to make things using old time hand tools & methods.

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antique furniture hardware Article Of The Month

A Guide to Antiques

By Thomas Morva

If you are thinking of investing in antique items, you would be surprised at the things that you first need to know before you go out and buy antique items. This is because, as with any other purchase, there are a number of things that you need to research so that you can avoid making a mistake in your purchases. Nowadays, this has become very true for antiques because of the proliferation of antique reproductions, which can make finding authentic antique items very confusing. One example that you should know with regard to antique items is the language that antique sellers and antique enthusiast use to describe items. This is because knowing the language they speak can greatly help you with your decisions.

Antique Lingo

First off, you need to know how people determine if an item is an antique or not. Apart from its age, which is usually set at 100 years, an old item is also considered an antique if it has aesthetic and historical value. Now that you know the definition of the word, you can now move on to some of the most commonly used terms in antique lingo. One of these is the term ?original finish,- which means that the protective coating of the item, like the varnish, is the same as it was first made. Usually, items with an original finish are considered very valuable.

On the other hand, an antique item in its "original condition" means that the item still has all the original pieces it was made with, which can also add value to the item. Another commonly used term is "patina," which is the look of an item caused by years of polish, dirt, grease build-up, and wear and tear, which antique dealers consider as the thing that gives character to an antique item. Another commonly used term is "provenance," which means the documented history of an antique item. One example of this is the value that antique dealers put on items that were used by some of the most notable historical figures, like a table that may have been used by a medieval king to sign a treaty.

Investing in antiques involves learning the ropes about purchasing antique items so that you would be able to make the right decisions in buying an antique item. One of the best ways to do so is to learn the language that antique dealers and enthusiasts use. This is because knowing the language can equip you with the right knowledge on what you should look for in antiques and how you can determine their value.

Antiques provides detailed information on Antiques, Antique Collectibles, Antique Furniture, Antique Art and more. Antiques is affiliated with Traditional Table Lamps.

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Ask questions: about what you read on the label and what's not there. How old is this piece? Where was it made? How did you (the dealer) get it? Have you done any repairs or restoration? Is the hardware original? What refund/return policy does the dealer offer if the item is discovered later to be not as claimed? What is the dealer's policy on returns? What they tell you isn't worth the paper it's printed on. So make sure you -
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LEARN ABOUT THE WOOD. Most antique furniture is made primarily of wood. Study the wood in the item that you'd like to repair. Soft woods should be handled differently from hard woods. Veneers and inlays require special treatment as well. Unless the wood has been damaged by insects or repeated wear, you probably won't be repairing the wood itself. Wood is one of the longest-lasting materials in household items. Many ancient Egyptian furnishings and Scandinavian churches remain in excellent condition after hundreds or even thousands of years. However, if surface damage is a problem and it's safe to strip the item, research paint and varnish removers. Some are safe, some are not, and some work well on only a limited range of surfaces.
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The Latest antique furniture hardware News

Oriental and Persian Area Rug Styles - Patterns and Designs

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:21:57 -0600
The older an oriental rug is, the greater its value. In Persian Area Rugs, the hand made rugs are one of a kind but there are many, listed by the city of production, from Arak to Tabriz and Tribal, which are the rugs woven by nomadic groups. Perhaps the most well-known of the Tabriz works are the twin Ardabil carpets most likely made for the shrine at Ardabil, today in the collections of the Victoria and Albert.

Antique Musical Instruments -Vintage Guitars

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:24:06 -0600
Old player pianos, vintage guitars and Vintage guitars and violins, saxaphones, horns, grand pianos, old phonographs and vintage sheet music - instruments from the past .. a history of Les Paul Vintage Gibson Guitars and news about a Very Ancient Musical Instrument - the Bagpipe - did you know it wasn't invented in Scotland but goes back to the Babylonian Empire .. and its being revived in modern music.

Woman Tries to Sell 139-Year-Old Baseball Card for $10

While sports collectibles don't catch my eye all that often, I read an amazing story recently I just had to share with you. It's about a 139-year-old baseball card a...


brew city antique car radio

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