The Crown Collection Articles

Discover more about your favourite antiques.

Welcome to our antique furniture store, where you will find a stunning collection of bespoke, authentic antique furniture and decor. We specialize in providing unique and rare pieces that will add a touch of elegance and history to any space. Our collection includes exquisite French antiques, Victorian furniture, vintage furniture, and much more.

Our antique store offers a wide range of pieces, from antique chairs and desks to armoires and entrance tables. Our French furniture collection includes beautiful French chandeliers, French mirrors, and French tables that will bring a touch of sophistication to your home. We also offer exquisite crystal chandeliers, candelabras, and throne chairs that are perfect for adding a regal touch to any room. Our Crown Collection features some of the most impressive pieces in our store, and we are confident that you will find something truly unique and special to add to your home.

Whether you are a collector of antique furniture or simply appreciate the beauty and history of these unique pieces, our antique furniture store is the perfect place to find that special item. We take pride in our collection of rare and authentic pieces, and we are confident that you will find something that speaks to your individual style and tastes. So, visit us today and discover the timeless beauty of antique furniture and decor.

Antique Furniture Styles of 3 British Queens

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique furniture styles, Queen Anne Antique furniture, Victorian furniture, WIlliam & Mary Antique furniture|

Long, long ago, there lived three queens – Mary, Anne and Victoria – and each influenced the furniture designs of their day. Today, we still get to appreciate antique items that pay homage to their signature styles. Previously, we delved into the nuanced antique furniture styles of three iconic French kings, and so it is only fitting to curtsey and honour the feminine influence of three English queens.

Antique furniture designs that reflect the reigns of Mary, Anne and Victoria developed in a timeline that was framed within a unique political and socio-economic context and this was interpreted by craftsmen over the centuries.

Introducing Queen Mary

We cannot talk about Mary without referencing her husband, the Dutch prince, William of Orange, who overthrew the King of England and ruled the land with Mary, the King’s daughter. In the world of antiques, they are fondly remembered for the furniture pieces they introduced. (Antique items from this period are also referred to as early Baroque).

To date, Jacobean furniture had been dark and heavy with a block design. But William and Mary (W&M) commissioned pieces that were comfortable and versatile. Thanks to the Baroque, Flemish and Dutch building traditions, W&M furniture, although still dark, was thin and lightweight with highly decorative and elegant characteristics. Mostly made from maple and walnut, lacquer and other paint finishes were used to bring out the finished look.

Butterfly tables became popular during the W&M era. Today, W&M embellished antique pieces (1690 – 1725), with their softer curves, elegant spiral designs, embellishments, turned legs, and high backed chairs are rare and highly valued by antique furniture collectors.

Introducing Queen Anne

During the reign of Queen Anne, there was an increase in social interaction and this prompted furniture designs that were elegant, versatile and multifunctional with minimal ornamentation and embellishments. There was also a definite influence from Asian culture and design. (Antique items from this period are also referred to as late Baroque).

Lighter woods such as maple, walnut and cherry were used and the Queen Anne chair was the first seat designed with a cushion for comfort. It had vase-shaped back splat and S-curved cabriole legs with padded, slipper or Spanish feet. Simple shell or fan motifs were carved into the wood and there was a focus on negative space.

Introducing Queen Victoria

Antique furniture from Queen Victoria’s reign was influenced by Gothic, Rococo and Louis XV furniture styles and became more ornate with plush, heavy fabrics. As the Victorian era overlapped with the Industrial Revolution, it was the first style of furniture to be mass-produced, changing furniture making forever. The Chesterfield style couch also made a comeback during the Victorian era.

Chairs and sofas were manufactured with low arms or no arms to accommodate the ladies’ voluminous skirts and gilding was added as a decorative feature. Antique furniture pieces from this era (1840 – 1910) include oak, walnut, mahogany and rosewood. A key feature of Victorian design in complementing the furniture was the use of tapestries and wallpaper with intricate patterns and bold jewel-tone colours.

If you are looking to add Victorian antique pieces to your home, less is probably more to avoid your scheme becoming too overdone. An accent piece will make a bold statement when paired with a modern interior. (Take note of our tips when mixing and matching contemporary and antique furniture).

A royal tour at the Crown Collection

If you are looking for a style that is fit for a queen, then a visit to the Crown Collection (aptly named) is an experience that cannot be matched. With vintage and antique furniture pieces and objets d’art, this is any collector’s dream space to wander and browse – online or in-store.

Take a virtual tour of the Crown Collection Store.

The Crown Collection is not your regular antique store but rather a curated collection of over 5000 carefully hand-picked pieces specifically chosen for their decorative appeal. You will be captivated by the classic and eclectic range of French, vintage, and contemporary furniture and accessories that are available.

Visit our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston or simply shop all our collections online.

The Iconic Antique Furniture Styles of 3 French Kings

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique French furniture, Louis XIV chairs, Louis XV chairs, Louis XVI chairs|

The French influence on food, fashion and furniture is unmatched. From chateaus and castles to bijous apartments and villas, the history and romantic allure are hard to resist. We’ve escaped to the chateaux and now it is time to go regal and explore the antique furniture lineage that characterised the reigns of three iconic French Kings.

No matter how minimalist or simple your design personality may be, there is a deep longing in each of us to own a decadent piece of French antique furniture that is just a touch OTT and super-luxurious.

From the ornamental and cluttered interiors of Versailles, the reigns of Louis XIV, XV and XVI lasted from 1643 to 1793 (when Marie Antoinette lost her head), giving us a design legacy that speaks to French culture, imperialism and political power. Antique lovers are grateful that furniture design and influence from this period has lived on, gracing interiors.

“You can see the influence of the Kings Louis in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, multiple Victorian revivals and even in 20th-century designs.” – Dennis Harrington, head of Sotheby’s English and European Furniture Department.

When it comes to the three Louis’, it is all about the chairs. So let’s familiarise ourselves with the basics of their signature styles and explore exactly what makes antique furniture chairs and sofas, named after these kings, so desirable:

Louis XIV – The Sun King

Louis XIV-style antique chair designs are a reflection of the Sun KIng’s obsession with power, influence and style. The chairs are grand in scale, sumptuous and symmetrical. Even with the addition of upholstery, they are quite masculine and throne-like. Louis XIV’s reign is referred to as “Le Grand Siècle” (the Great Century), and the high linear backs, rectangular designs, elaborate carvings and strong arms and legs are associated with a monarch who favoured absolute power.

If you are able to get your hands on an antique Louis XIV chair, add some opulent drama by letting it take pride of place as a head dining room chair or a gentleman’s chair in a study or whisky room.

Louis XV – The Beloved

Instead of power, Louis the XV pursued pleasure. He moved his court from Versailles to Paris and the chair designs reflected the more intimate social settings of the nobility.

The scale of the chairs was much smaller and the designs more fluid with gently curved lines and slightly asymmetrical and decorative meandering floral carvings, mouldings, gilding and s-shaped cabriole legs. To satisfy the Nobility’s craving for comfort and upholstery, seat springs were added and upholstery had a lighter, feminine charm. The romance and comfort of a Louis XV chair is a delightful addition to any boudoir or sitting room.

Louis XVI – The Restorer

Louis XVI-style antique chairs celebrate neoclassical style. As the French were influenced by the Enlightenment, they started venturing beyond Paris and frivolity was set aside.

Furniture styles of this era started mirroring neoclassical architecture, emphasizing straight lines, geometric forms and classical motifs. Chairs still retained the smaller scale of Louis XV’s influence, but the backs of Canapé sofa settees evolved into controlled arcs instead of the voluptuous curves from the previous era. Chair legs were tapered and fluted in the style of a Roman column, and Greek palmettes replaced carved flowers.

The clean aesthetic and elegant pared-back ornamentation of Louis XVI chairs and sofas fit any interior design narrative. Your home deserves a few of these beautiful accent statement pieces.

The Crown Collection – The royal treatment

There is no doubt as to the enduring appeal of any of the Louis-style chairs. As an Antique furniture lover, it is worth it to say you own one.

For those who love and appreciate all things French-inspired, sourcing quality antique furniture, tapestries, chandeliers and objet d’art is literally on your South African online doorstep at the Crown Collection.

Visit us in-store at 20 Ballyclare Drive Bryanston or shop online and have your order delivered to your door.

‘Escape to the Chateau’ in French Vintage Style

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique furniture, French Vintage Furniture, Vintage French Style|

There is a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ element to any home that has a French vintage style. The timeless elegance and romance associated with the French and their decorating history have bewitched us all. French decor has evolved from the elaborate and ornate Versailles and Renaissance decadence to a design solution that is practical, beautiful and sensual.

From French country chic to rustic minimalism, vintage pieces combine casual and regal in an effortless way. It is all about comfortable luxury pieces that everyone falls in love with.

French Country

French country decor is all about soft, muted colours, toile and floral fabrics, bleached, distressed or painted wooden antique furniture, natural materials, a chandelier (of course) and a touch of gold. The old-world charm is achieved by mixing and matching vintage pieces with a unique vintage flair. Layering with fabrics, textures, wallpaper and antique carpets, is the secret to French romanticism and a bespoke ambience that will make you feel at home. This is where an armoire, a chaise lounge or daybed and a painted and carved French-style bombe chest of drawers (reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast) are the perfect starting points for any space.

French Chic

What sets French Vintage decor apart is the ability to get away with mixing and matching fabrics and antique furniture in a bold eclectic way. This more ‘Parisian’ influence loves to make a chic statement with ornate fabrics and tapestries, gallery walls and bold, moody colours. There is a definite sophisticated edge but without compromising on comfort and practicality as well as not being too perfect or formal. There may be a lot going on, but the multi-layered design narrative and subtle arrangement still exude a sense of calm.

French Rustic

When French vintage adds rustic elements into the mix, the result is relaxed and almost thrown together, but it just works. Exposed ceiling beams, rough walls, distressed floors, mismatched colourful fabrics and natural elements all tell a story that has you feeling you’ve stepped back in time, but in a good way. The secret to achieving this is ‘chiner’ – a French word meaning ‘to hunt for.’ Hunting for antique and vintage furniture pieces is the heart of French decor.

French Vintage at the Crown Collection

Your French affair starts at The Crown Collection, South Africa’s largest emporium of antique, vintage, contemporary and French-style furniture and accessories. Start your ‘chiner’ for the perfect French vintage and antique pieces to add that sense of handpicked ‘je ne sais quoi’ to your home. This is where comfortable and sophisticated French-style vintage charm lives from Louis XVI armchairs to gilded mirrors and crystal chandeliers.

Visit us online or in-studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

The Timeless Beauty of Vintage & Antique Chandeliers

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique chandeliers, VIntage chandeliers, Vintage lanterns|

“I still love writing in my journal, wearing sparkly dresses and looking at old chandeliers.” -TaylorSwift

What is it about a chandelier that makes one look up in wonder? In fact, if you strip all other elements from a room and leave only a vintage or antique chandelier, the grandeur and elegance of the room remain intact and visitors to the space will still pause with a breathtaking gasp at the sparkling beauty. That is the irresistible charm and timeless allure of chandeliers and lanterns. From entrance halls to living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms, every home needs one and every home deserves one.

Writing about chandeliers almost seems like an exercise in futility, as words cannot do such decor show-stoppers justice. Their glamour and sophisticated luxury have a visual language all their own. That is the intrinsic magic of a vintage lantern or antique chandelier.

The etymology of the word “chandelier” is simple; it comes from the French word, “chandelle,” which means “candle” – originally a simple design of 2 cross-shaped wooden beams with spikes at the ends to hold candles of animal fat. As the quality of candle making evolved, ornate chandeliers became luxury lighting items used in churches, castles and royal palaces. By the 18th-century gold, brass, lead crystal, Venetian Murano glass and quartz chandeliers were an enviable status symbol of the nobility.

If you have fallen in love with antique chandeliers or vintage lanterns and are looking to add one (or more) to your home, then there are a few things to bear in mind.

Limitless options

Sourcing the perfect vintage chandelier or antique lantern can be overwhelming as the styles, designs and materials are limitless. (And they are all so beautiful). From French farmhouse chic and modern industrial, to mid-century and traditional, there is a chandelier that will fit flawlessly.

Browse the many options out there online or in-store and decide if you want the ornate glamour of a 12 light antique wrought iron chandelier or the simplified sparkle of a smaller vintage chandelier. Or perhaps you are in love with the decorative elegance of an Empire chandelier, a brass hanging lantern or a bold vintage wrought iron plantation lantern. Whatever you choose, your space will be transformed.

No space is off-limits

When it comes to hanging an antique chandelier or vintage lantern, no space is off-limits. (Well, perhaps the garage). What you do need to consider though – from powder rooms and kitchen to ballrooms and bedrooms – is the size of the space. A chandelier should never be too big that it overwhelms a space and it should never be too small that it is underwhelming in a space.

Limit your materials and colours

Considering the style, colours and other metal accents in your room will help you narrow down your choices. A vintage brass or gold chandelier will look out of place in an ultra-modern sleek space that is full of black or silver metallic accents pieces. Think about the tones and materials that are statements in your room. This will determine whether you choose crystal, brass, wrought iron or beaded chandeliers. A chandelier should always be a natural extension of the room’s aesthetic.

No limits to the positioning of chandeliers

Although there are basic principles in the world of interior design, there are no real rules. Who says a chandelier or lantern has to hang from a ceiling rose in the centre of the room. There is no doubt that a central chandelier will always look beautiful, but how about hanging two smaller chandeliers on either side of your bed? This delicate framing of the bed accentuates the bedside tables, creating a striking sculptural and artistic element.

If you want to embrace the eclectic, then who says you can’t hang more than one style of chandelier over a kitchen island at different heights. Talk about a talking point! It is an unexpected yet exuberant and classy vignette that will make anyone swoon.

Unlimited choice at The Crown Collection

If you are looking for a chandelier to up the style and value of your home, then The Crown Collection emporium is ‘chandelier heaven.’ Our handpicked and specially curated collection of antique and vintage chandeliers and lanterns will mesmerise you. And with over 5000 antique, vintage, French and contemporary furniture pieces and accessories, your antique journey starts here.

Browse and shop online or visit our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

If You want to Go “Green,” Start with Antique Furniture

Categories: Articles, Blog|Tags: Antique Furniture sustainability, Eco-friendly antique furniture|

Going green is a conversation starter and caring for the planet has evolved into a mainstream concern. From saving the trees to climate change, there are little ways we can all do our part. That is where antique furniture joins the discussion – it is an eco-conscious and sustainable way of decorating your home in the face of a throw-away culture.

The timeless nature of solid wood furniture means it has never gone out of fashion – it has literally stood the test of time. Its classic enduring quality makes it an ongoing popular choice from ‘Escaping to the Chateaux’ and authentically furnishing 19-century French castles to simply adding an antique piece of furniture to your home. The result is always the same – furniture that adds natural beauty, old-fashioned craftsmanship, artisanal story and eco-friendly sustainability to any space.

Besides the obvious motivation of buying antique furniture because you love it, it can also be about doing your small part to save the planet and leaving an environmental footprint.

Changing minds

A consumer-driven society has demanded the manufacture of mass-produced furniture items which have a shorter life span and are expendable. And although relatively inexpensive, there is a hidden impact: deforestation, pollution, a bigger carbon footprint and off-gassing.

“Off-gassing is the particularly sexy name for the process through which the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) used in the manufacture of many household items are released into the air that you breathe. Everything off-gasses in some way – if it has a smell, it’s off-gassing. But the smell of a pineapple is far less potentially toxic than the VOCs wafting from your new sofa” –SADHBH O’SULLIVAN

One such example is Formaldehyde. This toxic gas is used in the making of resins that are used as adhesives in composite wood products such as MDF and plywood. A large percentage of mass-produced furniture is made of these composite woods. Antique and secondhand vintage furniture, however, will have off-gassed a long time ago, resulting in a more ethical and circular economy.

Research has also indicated that the manufacturing of modern mass-produced furniture, with its often synthetic and substandard materials, has a 16x higher carbon footprint/year than its antique counterpart.

A further consideration is the proven longevity of antique furniture over centuries which means it doesn’t end up being thrown away in landfills like cheaper, contemporary mass-produced furniture.

So, at one level, the antique industry embraces the ethos of recycling, reusing and giving back – literally.

Changing interiors

In recent years, there has been a move within the interior design world to incorporate antique furniture pieces and embrace their complementary impact by pairing them with more contemporary pieces and styles. This is an exciting development and one that has a planet-friendly endorsement.

Antique furniture and accessories are typically crafted from natural resources – wood, stone or metals. The enduring nature of solid wood items makes for a more sustainable solution as well as adding distinct personality, individuality and history to any decor space.

The world is growing tired of ‘sameness’ – generic, mass-produced furniture that can be seen in every mall, catalogue or staged showhome. Antique items – beautifully crafted from solid, old-fashioned wood – bring back the ‘novelty,’ eclectic factor and an eco-friendly element to personalised interior spaces.

Changing the world

Who would have thought that an heirloom piece from more than a hundred years ago could carry such significance into the future? It is the past positively impacting the future beyond the mere functionality and beauty of a French solid rosewood mirrored armoire or a solid French cherrywood buffet. No matter what you pay, the result is priceless because you are promoting sustainable living and supporting future generations.

Across the world, tons of mass-produced furniture is thrown away every year as trash. Buying antique and vintage furniture, piece by piece, is the planet-friendly antidote.

“(Antique furniture) is luxurious and it has a soul. Customers are interested in sustainability and quality, the romance of the story behind each piece, and I think because of that they cherish their antiques a little bit more.” -Marketing specialist, Helen Rutledge.

Giving the gift of the future can start with one piece of antique furniure today.

At the end of the day, buying furniture is a functional decision and the type of furniture you buy is a style choice. But as society slowly becomes more eco-conscious, buying antique items is fast becoming a green trend.

The Crown Collection

Buying antiques is so much more than just buying furniture and accessories; it is a solid (wood) investment in the future and The Crown Collection is just the place where your ‘green initiative’ antique journey can begin. Take a step back into the past and appreciate the richness of antique furniture and what it brings to the table in the conversation of sustainability and eco-friendliness.

With over 5000 hand-picked and curated vintage, contemporary and antique furniture pieces, The Crown Collection Interior Decor Store is the largest emporium in South Africa.

Invest in tomorrow by shopping all our collections online or by visiting our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

Start with a Vintage or Antique Mirror – It’s Jewellery for Your Room

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique mirrors, Decorating with mirrors, Vintage mirrors|

No matter where you are in your antique journey, if you are wanting to add a touch of flair and an element of visual glam, then vintage or antique mirrors are a wonderful starting point for any space in your home – no matter what your overall design style may be. Doing double duty, mirrors are the perfect functional and aesthetic pieces and they are always fun to decorate with. Consider them jewellery for your room.

Antique or vintage mirrors add a touch of drama and the theatrical as well as creating a beautiful harmony between the past and the present. You really cannot get decorating with a mirror wrong as every room deserves one; they reflect light, give the illusion of space and will instantly transform a wall. (Look no further than our blog on the language of antiquing to clarify the difference between the terms ‘antique’ and ‘vintage’).

In the world of interior design, mirrors on the wall – be they antique or vintage – are certainly the fairest of them all!

Choose your shape

This is where you really get to play as antique and vintage mirrors come in all shapes – round, square, oval, rectangle, hexagonal, diamond or free-form. They can be framed or frameless. Love them all? Then go ahead and mix and match. There are no rules – especially if you are wanting to create a gallery style cluster effect in a hallway, up the stairs or on a blank wall.

Mirrors are so versatile and become the perfect complement and finishing touch to any space. Cluster them, pair them, scatter them among artworks or simply display them on their own. Be daring. Be eclectic. However you choose to hang or arrange them, the effect will successfully transform any space in your home.

Choose your style

The ornate detailing and vintage feel of an antique mirror add a special element to any room – from bedrooms and bathrooms to hallways, living rooms and dining rooms.

Be bold and beautiful by placing an ornate gilded antique mirror against a moody dark wall – the perfect balance. If you have space to really show it off, then just let an oversized mirror stand on the floor to create an instant statement piece and focal point. Choose from an early 20th-century gilded wall mirror, a 20th-century French style giltwood Mirror, or a Rococo Style Giltwood Pier Mirror for an extra touch of designer sophistication.

An antique or vintage mirror is that one accessory that will always enhance a room. Mirrors add balance, interest, personality and fun. They can offset a neutral scheme, calm a busy scheme and accentuate all the other pieces you have in your space. They will not only bring more light into a room but, if placed correctly, will make a smaller space seem larger. (When positioning a mirror – make sure it reflects something worthwhile).

The magic of mirrors as decor accessories really cannot be overstated.

Choose the Crown Collection

If you are looking for a vintage or antique mirror for your wall to add a touch of luxury and history, then The Crown Collection, the largest antique emporium in South Africa, is your first stop. From gilded and ornately carved frames, in all shapes and sizes, you will find one-of-a-kind statement pieces for your home by shopping online or by visiting our showroom at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston. Our magnificently honed collection is an eclectic combination of decorative antiques, modern and classic styles.

Can’t find exactly what you are looking for? Then go bespoke. We have an onsite restoration centre where we can customise the finish of any mirror – from hand gilding in 22- karat gold leaf or silver leaf to an aged/distressed look or a high gloss black or white lacquer sheen. We can even strip a mirror back to its natural wood colour or give it an authentic bleached wood or deep mahogany colour.

Browse all our antique, vintage and French-style mirrors to find your perfect looking glass artwork for every space in your home.

‘A Match Made in Heaven’ – Antique & Modern Dining Tables & Chairs

Categories: Articles, Blog|Tags: Antique & modern tables and chairs, Antique dining tables and chairs, Contemporary dIning tables & chairs, Mixing contemporary and antique furniture, Modern dining tables & chairs|

Can you mix traditional and contemporary furniture? Our most recent blog answered that with an emphatic “YES!” Pairing modern and antique furniture is one of the easiest ways to add interest and simple luxury to your home. And it doesn’t get easier than mixing and matching antique and modern tables and chairs in your dining space. It’s all about adding story and intrigue, with a touch of the eclectic, as you throw the rule book out the window.

A separate or open plan dining space deserves special design attention as it is a place where social gatherings occur and where memories are made around food and community. A table and chairs are the centrepieces of any dining space and they need to fill the room with presence and personality.

A nod to the past and a respect for the present make mixing and matching contemporary and antique furniture a bold decor decision that will result in defining showpieces.

An antique table with modern chairs

One of the biggest current decor trends is a statement piece with contrasting pieces. The dining room is a well-defined space to pull this off and apply your design objectives. There is no denying the investment value of an antique or vintage dining table. So, how do you bring your heirloom Victorian mahogany or Mid-Century French Style Regency dining room table into the 21st century? The simplest way is by adding clear acrylic chairs (aka ghost chairs). The result keeps the table as the hero piece by adding a modern minimalist element. What is not to love about this look? It is practical, stylish and allows you to play with table setting elements and a variety of decor accessories.

Of course, ghost chairs may be pushing you a little too far out of your design comfort zone and that is ok – there are other successful ways of mixing an antique or vintage table with modern chairs

The mixed classic/contemporary aesthetic can be a little more subtle with wooden chairs with velvet, floral or striped upholstery designs, or a little more refined with simple mid-century modern wooden chairs. Otherwise, embrace your eclectic side with sculptured plastic chairs, or low-profile wire or metal chairs for a bolder yet relaxed industrial impact.. And if you prefer a comfortable farm-style feel, pair contemporary chairs plus a bench with a rustic vintage wooden table.

Whatever you love will work as antique tables and modern chairs will have you dining in style. It is all about your personal style and taste and creating a talking point.

A modern table with antique chairs

If your decor personality leans towards a more contemporary scheme, mixed-era design is a wonderful way to play with design pieces and slowly introduce antique pieces into your contemporary spaces. Vintage and antique chairs become wonderful supporting actors to a modern focal point table, adding a touch of warmth, interest and depth, and completely transforming your look with a nostalgic timelessness and a sentimental counterbalance.

The joy of mixing and matching a contemporary table with antique chairs offers you so many style options – from iconic Mid-century wishbone or Eames chairs and early American style ladder back chairs to Chinese yoke chairs, gilded Louis XVI chairs and bustle back Victorian chairs and any type of chair in between.

Shopping for modern and antique furniture will give you the opportunity to be like Goldilocks and find just the right ones to smarten up any modern wooden, painted, glass, marble, or cement dining room table.

The Crown Collection

Mixing a variety of antique and modern furniture will add personality and timeless character to your design story. Creating the atmosphere and look you love for your dining room starts at The Crown Collection, South Africa’s finest and largest interior decor store. With over 5000 pieces of stylish decorative antique, French, vintage, and contemporary furniture and accessories, timeless quality and extensive choice are at your fingertips.

Find your perfect antique or modern table and chairs by shopping online or visiting our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

Something Old, Something New – Mixing Contemporary & Antique Furniture

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique furniture, Contemporary furniture, Mixing modern and antique furniture, Modern furniture, VIntage furniture|

If you are looking for an exciting yet balanced approach to interior design, then mixing contemporary and antique furniture is a timeless solution that will add visual interest and contrast to any home. Marrying different styles in a design scheme allows you to showcase your individuality and for each space to express its own personality without being constrained to one particular era or trend.

“Modern spaces can especially benefit from incorporating antique and vintage pieces. They add real warmth and character, and the look can be as eclectic as you like.” – Jacqui Moskovitz

Mix & match does not equal ‘mishmash’

Eclectic, however, is still a decor look that follows certain design principles and so just mixing any antique pieces with any contemporary items is not going to work. Juxtaposing too many different period pieces will create confusion rather than cohesion. But embracing a considered design plan with regard to layout, proportions and materials (and incorporating old and new) will always result in a well-put-together look that makes sense.

Decide upfront what the overall look is that you are hoping to achieve. Is it a contemporary look with some antique touches, or an antique look with some modern touches? When mixing modern with vintage or antique, follow the 80/20 design rule – i.e. keep 80% contemporary and let the remaining 20% be vintage or antique accents. This will help you buy wisely and create a successful space.

Mix & match involves repetition

The simplest way of creating a coherent look when pairing contemporary and antique furniture is using repetition. Bring your look together with a common colour scheme, a repeated pattern or similar materials. There must be a mutual attribute that connects the modern and the antique to achieve intrigue and layered sophistication that will make you want to linger in a space and just enjoy the richness of the design story.

Mix & match adds depth and story

The minute you add a vintage accessory or an antique piece of furniture to a contemporary space you add originality, contrast, history and timelessness. This is the easiest way of avoiding a cookie-cutter or generic ‘showroom’ look. Bear in mind that this will take time as well-designed spaces evolve over time.

Consider the following inspirational ideas:

A modern, minimalist kitchen will immediately gain character by adding an antique dresser. A kitchen island will become a focal point with hanging antique pendants – creating story, harmony and interest without being distracting.
Transform a basic guest bathroom by hanging an ornate gilded antique mirror or a crystal chandelier for a touch of glamour. (Lighting fixtures are one of the easiest ways of combining the old with the new).
Adding contemporary ghost chairs to an antique dining table or partnering upholstered antique chairs with a modern wooden table will create balance and charm without being too heavy and imposing.
Upholster occasional antique chairs with modern fabrics.
Add a modern chair or lamp to an antique desk.

Mix & match at The Crown Collection

The Crown Collection is SA’s largest collection of antique, vintage, French, and contemporary furniture and accessories, allowing you to choose something old and something new that will add form and function to your home. Whether it is a contemporary piece of furniture or an antique piece of furniture, it needs to resonate with your style and personality.

With over 5000 pieces of handpicked contemporary and antique furniture, our showroom is just the place to find pieces that you will fall in love with.

If you are new to the world of antiquing, read our most recent blog highlighting 3 reasons you should be buying antique furniture.

Find your perfect mix and match pieces by shopping online or visiting our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

The Language of Antiquing – Is it Antique or Vintage Furniture?

Categories: Articles, Style|Tags: Antique furniture, The Crown Collection, VIntage furniture|

Whether you are a novice collector or a seasoned aficionado, there is a unique language to antiquing. From 20th-century interiors such as Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle to 21st-century homes, sourcing antique furniture requires certain skills, general antiquing knowledge and training your eye to ensure the pieces you purchase will not only add a sense of story to your space, but will be authentic investment pieces that will offer longevity and timeless style.

As you scout for armoires, chaises and chests of drawers to Tiffany desk lamps, crystal chandeliers and decorative objets d’art, you need to know your Chesterfield from your Chippendale, your Rococo from your Baroque, and your Louis XVI from your George I – just for starters. Then you need to differentiate between mahogany, imbuia, rosewood and walnut. But that is the wonder and delight of becoming a collector and appreciating the history, utilitarian backstory and status of each piece of antique furniture.

When you buy an antique piece – you are buying a piece of the past. You need to be in love with it because any period piece deserves to become a design statement and conversion piece in your home.

But any discerning collector of antique furniture needs the simple basics and definitions of what sets an antique piece apart from its vintage counterpart.

Antique Furniture

In broad terms, antique furniture has a higher value because of its age, quality, rarity, handmade craftsmanship, fine artistry and period detailing. (It is not just any item that is really old).

Most antique dealers and experts are agreed that to earn the label ‘antique,’ a piece of furniture needs to be at least 100 years old. (Fine antique dealers consider objects 150 years and older to be antique).

Shopping for antiques should be viewed in the same way as buying original art. Whilst some items can be purchased as an investment, many buyers purchase antique pieces simply for their love of an item – the style, look and feel. Antique furniture and accessories should be enjoyed in your spaces, giving depth, individuality and interest as well as growing in value over time as they become more scarce and harder to source.

Vintage Furniture

“An item described as ‘vintage’ should speak of the era in which it was produced.” – Ruby Lane

What makes vintage items highly collectable and valuable is their recognisable qualities that are unique to the specific era in which they were made. Generally speaking, to be termed ‘vintage,’ a piece needs to be at least 30 – 99 years old. Shopping for vintage pieces also includes an element of nostalgia. (But once again, not everything that falls into this timeline is vintage).

‘Mid-century modern’ is currently a vintage trend that is very popular among designers and collectors, and authentic pieces from that era are highly sought after. Characterised by simplicity and functionality, the ‘Mid-century modern’ movement was started by Bauhaus architects and designers who moved to America from Germany after WWII.

The Crown Collection

Sourcing antique furniture is an exciting pastime. A visit to The Crown Collection is not only an elegant step back in time, but it is also an opportunity to be surrounded by beautifully curated antique and vintage pieces that will add interest, character and design depth to your home. Stepping into our showroom is reminiscent of stepping into a London, New York or Paris emporium.

As one of South Africa’s finest and largest interior decor stores, our collection houses over 5000 pieces of carefully hand-picked decorative antique, French, vintage and contemporary pieces that will appeal to any collector. The Crown Collection is your “one-stop-shop” for the discerning buyer.

Shop all our antique furniture and accessories online or visit our studio at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

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