Style Archives - Page 45 of 45 - At Home in Arkansas

Continental Drift

November 5, 2007 by ark_admin

“It’s the charm and character of a piece that really grabs me,” says Kirby Whetstone, owner of The Antique Co. in Little Rock, where she specializes in 17th- and 18th-century Italian, French and English antiques. Whetstone, who recently returned from an east-coast buying trip, offers some insight on why Continental antiques remain popular not only with dealers such as herself, but also with collectors. “Early pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries are original, and they seem to have better craftsmanship,” she says. “Many items from the 19th century are reproductions, which don’t have as great an appeal as originals, and they also don’t carry the same investment value. In my market, 18th century is very popular, although several 19th century designs are in demand as well.”

Whetstone also believes that the character of earlier pieces, such as the 18th-century French commode that anchors the entryway, lends to their value and desirability. “The honey color of the commode exudes a warmth that really appeals to buyers,” she says. But ultimately, she’s searching for things that she knows both her clients and herself will be pleased with. “I buy what is, to me, beautiful, and what I think my clients will want at a price that’s acceptable,” says Whetstone. “These things are timeless, and they do not go in and out of style.”

Creating a warm welcome, an 18th-century French commode is the centerpiece of our entryway. Crafted of fruitwood and featuring its original patina and hardware, the commode is designed in the style of French Country. The backdrop, a mid-19th-century hand-painted leather screen, strikes a stunning pose without overshadowing other pieces, such as a pair of 17th-century Italian state chairs crafted of walnut and covered in an original tapestry, a circa-1820 pair of Charles X bronze three-arm candelabra, and a late-18th-century Italian reliquary. An Italian crystal chandelier hangs above the scene, while a late-19th-century iron pricket lamp flanks the commode.

This Italian reliquary was likely produced during the late 18th century, when wealthy and religious Europeans often had chapels in their homes. Reliquaries were used as a sort of altar, and often held the bones of saints.

This English Regency penwork sewing box is a wonderful example of the value of original work—the decoration was created with pen and ink, and the box still boasts its original lion handles and bun feet.

Occasional Style

October 31, 2007 by ark_admin

The early part of the 19th century is characterized by the development of furniture designed for specific purposes. Of such pieces, the small-scale occasional table stands out thanks to its multi-functional nature, and because its size made it easy to transport. Because these tables can often be seen from all sides, they were usually veneered on the back as well as the front, unlike side tables, whose backs were hidden when set against a wall. Tables produced around the 19th century were primarily associated with leisure activities, such as chess, reading, painting, or ladies’ activities, so pieces like sewing tables and commodes were given considerable attention. Kirby Whetstone, co-owner of The Antique Co. in Little Rock, offers customers an assortment of occasional tables in varying sizes from around the world.

An English painted-lacquer sewing table, circa 1880, from The Antique Co. is a classic example of these types of tables. It features a lid with six small compartments ideal for needles, threads and buttons, one larger compartment perfect for scraps of cloth, and a mirror that is revealed when the tabletop is opened.

One style of occasional table, the commode, is characterized as a chest with deep drawers and was first introduced in the late 17th century, continuing to appear in varying styles throughout the 1900s. Whetstone displays two different designs of this type of table — an English red chinoiserie lacquer commode, circa 1900, featuring a beautiful Oriental motif, vertical curves, known as bombe’, and a horizontal serpentine skirt on the bottom, and a circa-1850 French fruitwood commode with a lined top drawer as well as a sliding door compartment, perfect for holding larger items.

In the early 18th century, around the reign of Louis XIV, an evolution of the occasional table occurred, most noticeably in the form of leg shape. The cabriole leg was introduced into the French court — a look based on the shape of an animal’s hind legs, which may have originated from Chinese influence. The finest pieces most often had “knees” that were highly decorated. Ormolu mounts, which were originally designed to protect veneer, provided such decoration and were often made of cast bronze and given a gilt finish. Stamped or painted leather also began appearing on tabletops during this period, and in the earlier part of the 18th century this decorative leather was not only used for upholstery, but also for wall coverings.

Perfect for storing trinkets of all sizes, the hinged English painted-lacquer sewing table also boasts a mirror inside the top. The table’s delicate painted motif is a feminine nod to its role as a sewing table.

This English red chinoiserie lacquered commode, circa 1900, features a beautiful Oriental motif, vertical curves, known as bombe, and a horizontal serpentine skirt on the bottom. One interesting feature of this piece is the versatile small pullout shelves and drawers.

The dainty, English Adams-style table, circa 1900 is perfect for setting beside a chair and lightweight enough to be moved around easily. Four legs that are joined by cross-stretchers, as was common during this time period, support the painted octagon table.

With three pullout shelves that would have been used for displaying candles and gilded mounting on the legs, it’s easy to imagine this occasional table nestled in a castle in the French countryside. The black leather top also made it an extremely functional piece.

Birds of a Feather

October 31, 2007 by ark_admin

	For your next party, invite guests in exquisite style with an invitation from Sarah LeClere. The detail of the cutout images is impressive, while the ribbon and soft color scheme make the invite a present in itself. Available at Molly’s Paperie in Little Rock
	From Cobblestone & Vine in Little Rock, this Homart Natural History box of matches features a different bird on each side and is both functional and beautiful.
	By Gien France, this Sologne place setting is dishwasher safe, and each plate offers a unique fledgling motif from feathers and nests to a pair of birds. Available at So Inviting in Fayetteville.
	This stainless steel silverware by Ricci boasts a Japanese bird pattern on the steams and adds elegance to any place setting. Available at So Inviting in Fayetteville.
	From Working Class Studio and designed by an emerging artist at the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Melamine Collection plates boasts a soft blue palette to complement the vibrant bird motif and large floral design. Available at Vesta’s in Little Rock.