antique furniture

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NEW USES FOR ANTIQUE FURNITURE
Modern life and new technology has meant that for
some pieces of antique furniture, we have simply
outgrown their original, intended use. Changes
such as the rise of digital books may mean less
physical books in houses, but does that mean we
can't use beautiful antique bookcases? With floor
space being at a premium for many of us, it's
often a priority to ensure that our living spaces
are multi-functional. Traditional, antique
pieces of furniture were often designed for a
single use - but that doesn't mean they can't be
used creatively to suit the needs of modern
life. Antique Display Cabinets and Antique
Bookcases Antique display cabinets, or antique
glazed bookcases are beautiful, useful pieces of
furniture in their own right and still have a
place within the home, but how about using them
for handbag or shoe storage? Glazed doors keep
your collections dust and damage free, and if
you're particularly proud of your shoe
collection, they're perfect items for displaying.
Victorian walnut display cabinets or Globe
Wernicke Bookcases are great examples of display
perfection, and could be placed in bedrooms or
even hallways. If you don't have much of a shoe
or handbag collection, these timeless bookcases
are beautiful storage pieces and have endless
uses - one of our favourites is a drinks cabinet
and glassware storage.
Mahogany Globe Wernicke Bookcase from Kernow
Furniture
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Antique Writing Bureaus Antique writing bureaus,
originally intended for keeping up with
correspondence were a fairly important part of
the home. A really interesting piece of antique
furniture, bureaus can feature cupboards,
pigeonholes and cubbyholes for storing all the
writing paraphernalia a person would have needed
to keep in touch with loved ones. Sometimes
bureaus were designed as bookcase bureaus and
featured a bookcase on top, later periods
featured a chest of drawers. Without a doubt,
the most important piece was the writing surface,
which is hinged and drops down to provide a flat
surface. Often you can find them with a leather
or felt inlay. These writing surfaces make ideal
laptop desks, with lots of variety in the
storage inside, they can take on a new purpose
which is actually rather close to their original
use keeping in touch.
View Antique Writing Bureaus for sale
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Antique Bookcases and Secretaires Antique
Secretaires were originally used in the same way
as antique bureaus for catching up with
correspondence using the writing area, and
storing books in the bookcase. But why does the
use have to stop there? If you have an
impeccable folding technique, use the glazed
bookcase to store your prettiest linens. Lower
sections of later secretaires often have a chest
of drawers, which is also perfect for storage.
Et voila, you have a gorgeous antique linen
press. Antique display cases would also have look
great used for linen in a bathroom, where you
can use the top for lotions and potions.
View Antique Secretaires for sale
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Antique Credenzas and Antique Console
Tables Antique sideboards or antique credenzas
were originally used in dining rooms and
commonly used to store tableware and glassware.
Placed against a wall, they were extremely
useful for serving food, and are some are known
as buffets. Antique console tables were
traditionally used for displaying decorative
items, and could be used in most rooms around
the house. Both sideboards and console tables
can be repurposed to make washstands and vanity
units in bathrooms. Sinks can be placed on top,
or sunken in to the sideboard and there's plenty
of storage underneath.
Shop Antique Sideboards from Kernow Furniture
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Antique Whatnots The antique What-Not was a
popular piece of furniture throughout the 19th
century. Derived from the French étagère, it was
originally intended for displaying curiosities,
china, decorative objects such as ornaments, and
storing newspapers and books. Convenient pieces
of display furniture, they were made in various
shapes and sizes. They are still useful for their
original purpose, and look lovely with plants,
books and magazine.
Antique Victorian Ornate Inlaid Walnut Corner
Whatnot What repurposed antiques do you
own? We've love to hear from you if you have
your own repurposed antiques, the more creative
the better! Leave us a comment or send us a
picture, as we would love to share them in a
future blog post! Kernow Furniture - online
store based near Redruth, Cornwall. Huge
selection of furniture and decorative items.
Find many eras and styles of antique, retro, and
vintage furniture, homeware and gifts. Fast
national delivery offered on all items. Viewings
by appointment on 01209 861444.