God knows my sense of design needs development; Jean and Scott would say that it’s non-existent. That said, interior design over the past several years has clearly trended toward contemporary and modern – clean, crisp, less is more, and to my taste, a bit on the cold side. Thumb through any of the shelter magazines and you will see what I mean.
As a result, antique furniture doesn’t have the same interior design cache that it did a few years ago. Our store has evolved from purely English and French antiques to include North Carolina upholstery, antique replicas (1/2 the price point) and Bolier, a boutique line of high quality, high design contemporary furniture. The net result is a great combination of the old and the new that looks wonderful in customer’s homes.
That said, my not so secret love is traditional settings – antiques (or look-a-likes) with warm patina, upholstery designed for Saturday afternoon naps and soft fabrics that look like they have been around awhile. If you read the shelter books, I’m clearly a voice in the wilderness.
I feel somewhat vindicated when most visitors to our home love the “look” that Jean has so painstakingly furnished in “guess what” style. I really, really felt vindicated after a phone call earlier this week.
Jean decorated a condo in Boston several years ago for clients who have since become good friends; see “traditional” photo attached. These folks recently put their home on the market after buying a larger home in a neighborhood they have coveted for years.
I don’t need to elaborate on the current state of the housing market. Boston has dozens of condos on the market (see “contemporary” photo) in the same price range as “traditional”; most have been listed for months.
“Traditional” sold in twenty-fours for full asking price. Is it coincidence or are there other voices in the wilderness that vote with their pocketbooks?
Mmmmmm - food for thought.
