Swedish Antiques: Traditional Furniture and Objets d'Art in Modern Settings

Description

Incorporating antique furniture and art into a modern home may seem like a contradiction, but Karin Laserow and Britt Berg show just how easy it is and how stunning the results can be. Highlighting the rich traditions of Swedish furniture and other decor, this full-color guide begins by explaining the basics of antique furniture, from style histories to the nuanced differences of Baroque, Rococo, Empire, Gustavian, Art Nouveau, and more, with striking photographs throughout. Readers are taught how to tell the difference between old and new, how to evaluate antiques, and how to determine whether repairing, repainting, and refinishing are worthwhile decisions for protecting antique investments. There are many books on antiques, but few are written for the modern reader with a modern home who still wants to enjoy the beauty and history of antiques. How do you mix the old treasures with the new? What arrangements work best for showcasing breathtaking antiques amid modern gems? What should you do with antique books? From candlesticks and chandeliers to tables and wardrobes, these questions and more are thoroughly explored in this inspirational guide to modern decorating with antique furniture and objets d'art. The photography alone is enough to inspire even the most timid beginner, but the research and advice will make a professional decorator of anyone interested in bringing antiques into the twenty-first century.

Karin Laserow has worked in antiques for over thirty years, with a detailed and extensive knowledge that has taken her from her first business in Malmo to her current base in Brandstad with a branch in New York. Karin has given innumerable courses on the history of design and has worked as a valuer and interior designer. She relishes challenging traditional attitudes towards antiques towards antiques by representing them in a way that gives them an enhancing role in the modern home.Brit Berg has a determined interest in making antiques accessible to all, while, at the same time, showing how antiques can be used to enrich modern settings. Britt is fascinated with the history of Swedish architecture, art, and furniture.