Many of us have inherited a piece of furniture or an object that we love but that we feel doesn’t fit with the rest of our home. Sometimes the item holds sentimental value and we become torn as to what to do. We live in a fast-paced, throw-away society and with busy lives we can’t blame ourselves for seeking out the easy option — a trip to the skip. However, the growth in awareness of sustainability is helping us consider the consequences of our decisions and how they affect our planet. While secondhand objects are not always immediately to our taste and incorporating them into our home can feel challenging, it brings me great satisfaction to rehome an object and give it a new lease of life, whether it has been inherited, or purchased from auction or antique shop. The question is, how can we mix different styles, combining furniture and artworks from different centuries and still create a curated and beautiful interior?
The first step is to look at the things you already own and ask why you love each object.Is it for sentimental reasons? Is it functional? Is it beautiful? Find the aspect of the object that complements another and focus on making curated spaces within your home.
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French chestnut and kingwood banded commode in Louis XV-XVI transitional style (est: £300-£500) from February auction.
The second is to consider browsing at auctions and in antique shops for unusual objects and secondhand treasures. Not only is this form of shopping sustainable but you can find some amazing affordable one-off treasures. I believe by taking a little time to consider the things we already own and our ultimate interior goals we can find a way of mixing more traditional pieces of furniture with minimalist backdrops, contemporary art or modern design.
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Pair of carved giltwood and upholstered armchairs in Louis XVI style (est: £500-£800)
Minimalist: Make a statement
You only have to flick through the latest interior magazines to see that minimalist interiors are right on trend. Most of us live hectic lifestyles and seem to be surrounded by chaos and clutter. Immaculate homes with clear surfaces and neutral colour palettes make us feel calm. A minimalist interior serves as a blank canvas to create a strong focal point in the interior. The sumptuous carved giltwood and upholstered chairs in Louis XVI style pictured on this spread (top right) would look striking in a minimalist interior, complementing the neutral colour palette with their plush silk upholstery and their grand high backs, perfect for an entrance hall. Pair these 18th century chairs with a large contemporary work, such as the dramatic piece by Erdogan Zumrutoglu. The bright splashes of colour against the white background would create a striking impact in a minimalist interior.
Live the luxe life: Embrace the gold
We all love a bit of luxury. It is usually set aside for holidays or special occasions but who says we can’t bring luxury home? There are lots of ways to add elements of luxury, such as rich velvet curtains or 100 per cent silk bed sheets but what about the colour gold, synonymous with wealth and luxury?
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Continental carved giltwood wall mirror in 18th century style (est: £800-£1,200, pair), from Dreweatts
This ornamental and elaborate giltwood wall mirror is one of a pair made in the early 20th century, based on an 18th century design. The soft sweeping lines and curves, together with the impressive adornments to the edges, are typical of 18th century rococo design. It is time to start mixing up the centuries by placing these mirrors either side of a contemporary piece of art. If this wasn’t confusing enough, let’s throw in some 15th century inspiration with this clever manipulation of the world’s most famous lady, the Mona Lisa . Made in 1992, this interesting work by French artist Yvaral, Jean-Pierre Vasarely screams luxury. Perfect for an entertaining space, the royal purple complements the luxurious gold while the Mona Lisa is a great conversation starter.
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Mona Lisa Synthesisée, Yvaral (estimate: £3,000-£5,000)
Homely: Making memories
Our homes are full of objects that tell stories of places we have visited, things we have done and people we have met. Hanging a work of art like this colourful and energetic piece by Frederick Gore (above left) immediately transports me on holiday and I can feel the sun beating down on my head. This vibrant work is titled Mountain Landscape, Mallorca, no. 2 and Frederick Gore is known to have travelled to Mallorca in the 1960s. Step back in time to the reign of Louis XV and Louis XVI in France with this grand chestnut and kingwood banded commode (left). It is both beautiful and practical, providing plenty of storage. The ‘bombe’ design shows off the feminine outline of the commode and, combined with the warmth of the wood, complements the tropical view of Mallorca.
Francesca Whitham is picture specialist at Dreweatts, www.dreweatts.com
