| Decorating an older home can be a real challenge. | | | | better slant to the backs. The real effect of the |
| Most of us don't really want to live the way our | | | | room can be created by how you decorate your |
| ancestors did. The aim is to get the flavor of the | | | | walls, floors and windows, and by using |
| era you wish to project without the discomfort | | | | accessories creatively. |
| and aggravation. Antique upholstery is not noted | | | | Decorators are divided about such modern |
| for its comfort. Antique beds tend to be too | | | | adjuncts as kitchen appliances, TV's and sound |
| short for modern bodies and most of us prefer | | | | systems. My feeling is, good design blends with |
| an inner spring or foam mattress to one stuffed | | | | good design. Some of the newer appliances are |
| with straw or horsehair. Although I have cooked | | | | beautifully designed and our ancestors would have |
| on an iron wood stove and thoroughly enjoyed it | | | | made that stainless steel, side by side refrigerator |
| in the depth of winter, there is nothing to | | | | with ice and water on the door, the showpiece of |
| recommend it in July. So where do you draw the | | | | the house so I am not a big fan of attempting to |
| line between authenticity and modern life? | | | | hide large modern appliances behind wooden doors |
| Fortunately you can get modern upholstery, with | | | | and cupboards. I do think they tend to look better |
| modern foam, coil decks and cushions, in older | | | | in stainless or black but that's a personal opinion. |
| styles and fabrics. Unless you are trying to get a | | | | The exception to the kitchen appliance rule is for |
| museum room, it isn't necessary to copy the | | | | houses built in the last century when kitchen |
| original styles exactly. Be careful of proportions, | | | | appliances were becoming common. Reproductions |
| but any upholstery piece which is a classic style | | | | are available in the styles of the 20's, 30's, 40's |
| will blend with antiques, or reproductions. Fabric | | | | and 50's and can make a really clever kitchen |
| choices can give an antique look and are available | | | | which is fully functional. |
| in reproduced patterns made from modern, low | | | | My feeling about TV's and sound systems is |
| maintenance fabrics. If you have antiques, avoid | | | | similar. If you don't have a media room, there are |
| the need to put matched pairs of everything. Our | | | | hundreds of styles of armoires which will hide the |
| ancestors loved that balanced look and many of | | | | TV and look like a piece of antique furniture. |
| us still find that a comfortable look to live with, | | | | Choose carefully. They can be overwhelming. |
| but if only your upholstered pieces match, they | | | | However, if you want the TV to sit out or hang |
| will draw attention away from your show pieces. | | | | on the wall, go for it. You can soften its stark |
| The exception, as always, is in a formal room. If | | | | modernity by the things you sit around it. |
| you are living in a home from the 1700's and | | | | So when you decide to redecorate and give your |
| want to get the flavor of the era, you will want | | | | home a more period feel, keep these things in |
| more formalized seating patterns. However, the | | | | mind. |
| newer trend in historic houses is to have furniture | | | | - Lighting is available in any style imaginable and will |
| from several eras from the original built date to | | | | give an effect of authenticity. |
| represent. Our ancestors were thrifty. Furniture | | | | - Conversion rails are available to enlarge antique |
| was hand produced and costly, so people didn't | | | | beds and to maximize comfort. |
| tend to pitch pieces which were out of style. It | | | | - Reproduction wallpapers are easy to find and |
| wasn't until mass produced, inexpensive furniture | | | | are divided into the eras in which they were |
| became widely available that people started | | | | popular. |
| dumping Grandma's pine table in the chicken | | | | - Classes on painting techniques and stenciling can |
| house, or slapped a coat of green paint on the | | | | be taken at your local home store. |
| solid cherry drop leaf and put it on the front | | | | - The library is a great source for popular styles |
| porch. | | | | of all eras. Once you have done a little research |
| Generally, keep your upholstered pieces subdued | | | | into the look you are trying to create, adapt it to |
| but try for the correct style (or a modified | | | | your own needs and decorate in the spirit of that |
| version) of the window treatments and case | | | | era instead of trying to create a room which |
| pieces. Wing chairs have been popular for 300 | | | | hasn't changed in 150 years. |
| years, but make sure yours are comfortable to | | | | Contributions for this article from ON THE GO 4 U |
| sit on before you decide you have to have them. | | | | design consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver who has |
| Our ancestors had much better posture and liked | | | | years of experience decorating less than perfect |
| sitting very straight. Classic styles of modern | | | | spaces. |
| furniture keep the lines of the old, but have a | | | | |