KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

Furniture fads come and go, but the appeal of antique furniture

continues to be the heart and soul of many design styles. Whether the

value is in sentiment or an auctioneer’s catalog, furniture that has

withstood the test of time enjoys widespread appeal.

With an increasing tolerance for imperfection in furniture finishes,

furniture with patina is more desirable than ever. Well-worn pieces come

in every mood from country character to cosmopolitan chic. Easy to live

with furniture has universal appeal.

Antique furniture is easy to find. However, antique furniture with a

pedigree can be harder to come by.

Estate auctions are a good place to find unusual pieces, but competing

against dealers can be intimidating. Pieces are sold “as is,” so

rudimentary knowledge of the pieces you are interested in is a must so

that you can judge whether a piece is original and well constructed.

Auction houses may able to provide information on pieces that are up

for sale, but viewing should be done in person rather than through a

catalog or the Internet. Potential bidders may also want to ask the

auction staff questions to get a feel for the price range and a more

detailed background of a specific piece of furniture.

Interior designers have access to sources that the general public does

not. “Trade only” showrooms generally have high quality merchandise and

guarantees of authenticity.

Designers get high quality merchandise, often at better prices than

retail, so it is not necessarily true that hiring a designer will be a

costly affair. In the long run, getting help from a designer can save

money, time and frustration.

If you are in the market for some new “old” furniture, eighteenth

century English furniture has continued to be collectible without being

extremely costly. The availability has kept costs down and interest high.

The styles are easy to live with and readily adaptable with many

different designs.

Georgian pieces are considered the backbone of the antiques market.

Wood finishes run the gamut from deep-brown walnut finishes to reddish

mahogany to the lighter maples and poplars. Even when richly embellished,

lighter toned woods seem to imply greater informality.

The rediscovery of Biedermeier and its related European styles have

been especially in demand lately with their clean lines and geometric

styling.

Experts agree on three principals when buying antiques: buy the best

you can afford, stick with classic items and learn as much as you can

before you buy.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Sundays.