Benedict Smythe asked:


Collecting antique furniture pieces are considered as a prime financial investment and a superb way of decorating houses and other sites. As such, many people have considered antique collection as one of the most rewarding hobbies and activities that one can engage in. However, a serious antique furniture collector should take note of the following factors;

The Style of the Antique Furniture

Most antique sellers classify their products through style names such as Louis XV, Queen Anne, and many others. Usually, the style of the furniture piece plays an important role in determining its value. Furniture pieces which have styles and designs which originate from centuries before are considered as more valuable than those which possess more recent designs. Also, the more unique or customized the style is, the more expensive will the furniture piece be.

Moreover, there are designs which have been popularized by notable craftsmen or furniture manufacturers. As such, furniture pieces which carry such popular designs, including those which resemble such, may be more expensive than the usual antique furniture.

The Originality of the Antique Furniture

It is important to determine if a piece is a reproduction or not. One can easily determine if the furniture is an original piece through the hardware that is used in the furniture.

Examine the nails and screws that were used. Note that screws were only used in furniture pieces during the later half of the 19th century. Others shapes, types, and lengths of nails were used in furniture making in varying points in history as well.

If the furniture piece is original, note that its wood dimensions should not be uniform. Some of its parts should have shrunk by as much as an eighth of an inch due to aging. Also, note that the surfaces of the furniture should have suffered from discoloration. An original furniture piece may be affected from uneven exposure to sunlight. As such, it should have significant differences in coloring. Otherwise, the furniture might have undergone repainting or refinishing.

Apart from that, check the edges of the furniture. Note that early years of furniture construction only made use of handsaws. Thus, most old-age furniture pieces have ragged edges. If there are any differences in various pieces of hardware that was used in the piece, it may be a sign that the original parts of the antique have already been replaced.

The Age of the Antique Furniture

This factor is a prime consideration when collecting antique furniture pieces. Usually, the more aged the piece is, the more valuable it will be. Among the most notable periods in the history of furniture construction are Chippendale (mid-to-late 1700s), Empire Period (1830 - 1850) and Victorian (1850 - 1910). Note that one can identify the historical age of the furniture piece according to its style and design.

However, the antique collector should be aware that there are cases when appearance, design, and functionality supersede the value given to the furniture’s age. This is often the case for tables, chairs, cabinets, wardrobes, and other large furniture pieces that are not suitable for mere display and decorative purposes.

Also, in cases where the antique furniture pieces are a product of a notable craftsman, the value of the piece increases along with the complexity and the intricacy of the furniture’s design.



Warner

Tom Tomer asked:


 

Home is the place where one can relax after long hours of hectic work. House should look good and appealing to eye not by just colors of walls or flooring. It is also the proper placement of furniture which helps in creating uniformity. Furniture should always be good and should be according to the rooms where there are placed. House is incomplete without furniture. It is furniture which makes a home complete. Furniture should be of new style; one should avoid outdated furniture. But style is not enough; the selected furniture should be comfortable also. Furniture is placed in house not for just show but they are used for many home purpose jobs. For that choice of good furniture with elegant style this what one requires?

 

Try to avoid heavy furniture, they take long time in cleaning and their maitainence is also expensive. The quality of furniture should be good as change in furniture style is frequent. So try to buy the ones which are not outdated and at the same time are trendy and durable. It is not easy to change furniture often. The wood or plastic of the furniture should last long. Furniture should be bayed according to their placement. Furniture should be bought keeping in mind the room they are to be placed and how many people will use it. Try to avoid buying same kind of furniture. There should different kind of furniture at different rooms. Glass furniture should be avoided. They are light weight and tend to break easily. Place most important furniture first then various other furniture should be placed.

 

Bedroom furniture should be made of good quality of wood, so that it can provide comfort while one sleeps; the television area should have cabinet, in which Television music system and other show pieces can be kept. It will protect them from dust and gives nice look. Even it requires less space. The place left can be used for other purposes. Furniture should be placed in such a manner that it leaves enough space for moving around. Placing too many furniture in one room should be avoided. Now-a-days Sofa *** bed is available. It is good to buy that. For it works twin purpose. It can be used for sitting during day time and can be used as a bed at night. Furniture should be within the budget. Spending too much money is waste.

 

Big furniture should be placed in center then if space is their small furniture of different size should be kept. It gives uniformity in the room. It is also appealing to the eye. It does not look awkward. Chairs in the house should be of comfortable size. For only after hectic scuttle one relaxes at comfortable chair. Furniture should be cleaned at regular intervals. It will increase their life. Television needs to sit a distance three times its size from the seating area. So that people can talk while comfortably seated. The most important thing should be place in such manner that it can be easily visible. Always try to balance quality against budget choices. Stylish piece of furniture must also be useful, practical and comfortable to use. Stylish furniture should have a sleek and simple design. That is pleasant to eye. Stylish furniture should design in such manner that it is not outdated easily. Try to avoid furniture which is of too low budget. Furniture along with style and comfortable is good.



Clayton

Jessica Whittaker asked:


What is furniture design all about? Is it only for furniture designers?

The first Furniture Designers Association came into existence on 25th October 1917, where it formed its first constitution and by-laws. However, it was conceptualized in 1916 in Grand Rapids, known as the city for furniture manufacturing by a local manufacturer Robert W. Irwin. He wanted to promote a good relation between the manufacturer and the furniture designers. Thereafter he arranged for a meeting between the two groups, which was successful Thus, three of the furniture designers William L. Kimerly, J. Stuart Clingman and Thomas Handley determined to form an association for the benefit of both the designers as well as the manufacturers. They encouraged local furniture designers to join the association. Thus, the Grand Rapids Association was formed and E. Berkey Jones was elected as the president, the owner of William A. Berkey Co. along with eighteen skilled furniture designers and all the members of Furniture Manufacturers Association were admitted as the contract members.

Membership

The membership of this association was restricted to only the local furniture designers of Grand Rapids. In 1920, the Furniture Designers Association was restructured and the membership was given to all the certified designers throughout the United States. Initially the associate membership was given to the suppliers and later on granted to furniture design students. The need for a good prospective forced many designers to move out form Grand Rapids. At present, there are numerous furniture designers in Grand Rapids, who design mostly for the market of Southern furniture market in High Point, North Carolina.

Principles

In 1926, Thomas Johnson, the then president declared that the aim and purpose of the Grand Rapids furniture designers is to cooperate and work for the welfare to standardize furniture designs and constructions. At present the association works to stabilize the furniture design standards and to acquaintance and educate the work in the field of furniture designers. It has around 90 members and this has led to more frequent meetings, usually five in a year. The best final year student of Kendall College of art and design of ferris state university located in city centre of Grand Rapids is awarded $1500 every year in December.

Other Furniture Designer Associations:

American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD)

It was established in 1981 as an international non-profit professional organization. It works towards improving, supporting and advancement in furniture designing. The memberships are not just limited to American furniture designers, but also international professional designers can become a member of American Society of Furniture Designers.

Chicago Furniture Designers Association

The Chicago Furniture Designers Association is formed to encourage the art and craft of innovative furniture design by raising the community of furnishings designers and makers. The meetings are held on every second Tuesday each month. At the Chicago Furniture Designers Association, designers meet and exchange ideas and information on furniture designs and making to broaden their expertise. The association also organizes exhibitions for certified members. Finally, the association encourages designers to work up to widen their interests in furniture designing.



Bret