The type of care and maintenance of Antique Wood Furniture need an understanding of the

• Nature of wood
• Protective finish on wood furniture
• Knowledge of prolonging the life of the finish film

Always remember to seek professional advice from

• An antiques expert
• Furniture restorer
• Conservator

Handling

Careless handling is the primary cause of damage to furniture.

• Furniture of any size, should be moved by grasping its sturdiest part
• Furniture should never be dragged
• Surfaces of the furniture should be free from alcohol and water
• Objects left on a piece of furniture for long time causes uneven facing

Environment

When exposed to direct sun for a long time

• The finish gets bleached
• The finish develops dark color
• Heat from the sun softens or develops cracks in the finish

Temperature and Humidity

Wood is a porous material and absorbs or loses water.

When humidity levels are high

• The wood swells

When humidity levels are low as in a dry weather the wood

• Shrinks
• Develops cracks
• Veneer lifts
• Develops gaps in joints

Rapid fluctuations in humidity and temperature cause the greatest amount of damage

Furniture can withstand considerable variation in temperature and humidity provided the change occurs at a slow rate.

The ideal temperature and humidity levels are:

• In Winter it is 70 F with a relative humidity between 35 - 45%.
• In Summer it is 0 - 75 F with a relative humidity between 55 - 65%

Cleaning of the Furniture:

The Do’s and the Don’ts

• Do not use a polish containing silicone
• Dust with a soft dry cloth
• Wax the furniture with a good polish containing beeswax and carnauba wax once or twice a year
• Apply sparingly, and buff with a soft cloth

Do not use kitchen cleaners as they may scratch the finish

Do not use chemical cleaners or other commercial cleaners.

Maintenance Tips

Know your furniture to keep it in prime condition.

Try to understand

• Its design and finish
• The type of wood used
• How it behaves in different environment

Furniture needs to be pampered to be in good condition by

• Appropriate use
• Swift repair in response to accidental damage
• Right environmental condition

Cleaning

Furniture generally requires a minimum of cleaning.

• A weekly light dusting together with a twice-yearly wax polishing
• More attention should be paid to the inlays, marquetry and to the veneers

In case your polishing cloth lifts a piece

• Keep the broken piece safely
• Contact a restorer

Excessive Handling

• Lacquer is also vulnerable to excessive handling
• Gilded fittings should not be cleaned since the gilt may easily be removed

Moving

Since ‘furniture’ is a ‘moveable article’ its shifting is vital to its function.
While shifting furniture remember to

• Balance the items evenly to avoid accidents
• Employ people to lift larger pieces
• Support its main body or the frame
• Never hold the items by their tops
• Do not drag an item of furniture
• Pieces with castors should be lifted to prevent the legs from breaking
• Detachable/sliding parts should be removed for easy moving
• Doors on shelves should be locked

Positioning

Wood is particularly susceptible to the effects of light and heat.

• Direct sunlight causes wood to fade and lose its color
• Heat warps and shrinks wood

Click the link for more information. www.oldplank.com

Antique Bedroom Furniture is available in a wide range of styles, country French being one of the most popular styles at the moment. We spend a considerable amount of time in the bedroom and it is important to feel comfortable and happy with the décor and furniture.

The designs of the 18th and 19th century antique furniture add grace and elegance to a room and can transform an ordinary bedroom into a haven. Antique and contemporary furniture can be mixed to create an eclectic style: the addition of antique nightstands, antique tables or antique dressers can enhance the appearance and warmth of a room and create a very individual style.

When shopping for antique bedroom furniture, start your selection with the bed which is the center piece of a bedroom. Antique beds are very often made of wood and have elaborate hand carvings, whereas vintage beds tend to have a simpler style. Different styles of beds include day beds, platform beds, canopy beds and sleigh beds. Today’s bed sizes are twin, full, queen, California queen and king. Antique beds are much smaller with shorter side rails so they have to be modified to fit modern mattresses. Canopy beds, which have been a favorite in bedrooms from centuries, were introduced so heavy drapes could be hung all around the bed to keep the occupants warm in the winter.

When decorating a bedroom in an antique style, carved night stands really compliment the look. They are generally made of walnut, mahogany or oak and serve the practical purpose of providing a flat surface to place a table lamp. They also provide storage space close to the bed.

Other antique bedroom furniture items consist of antique dressing tables, night tables, cabinets and armoires. Antique dressing tables with mirrors are very decorative and add reflected light to the room. Some dressing tables have tilting mirrors and drawers for storing makeup and jewelry.

www.oldplank.com, has a good collection of antique bedroom furniture including antique French walnut carved beds, antique walnut night tables, reproduction hand painted commodes, antique dressing tables, vintage mirrored dressing tables, antique French carved queen sized beds, pair antique French mahogany night stands, antique French Napoleon III style day bed, antique French painted day bed, antique French Directoire style canopy bed, antique French armoires and much more. Antique pieces can be modified to suit your size and style.

In addition to antique bedroom furniture, oldplank.com also has many pieces that can be used as coordinating accents in a bedroom scheme. One example would be the reproduction barley twist bench which can be placed at the foot of a bed.

Paintings are the first thing which come to mind when someone refers to antique art. This is because antique paintings have a special charm and really give the finishing touch to a room. Paintings are a wonderful way to personalize your home, make great gifts and are always in vogue.

Antique 17th Century Italian Oil Painting

Paintings in oil are thought to have originated in Europe, oil paints were used by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. It was found that different textures and colors could be employed in this medium.

Somtimes the frames used for oil paintings are more impressive than the paintings themselves. Framing began in the 16th century and from the 17th century onwards many frames for oil paintings were gilt, that is covered in gold leaf, or finished in silver to give the appearance of gold. This gold leaf was attached by oil gilt with a combination of water gilt.

Antique English Pychely Hunt Prints

Decorative antique paintings show timeless beauty providing a link with the past and sometimes great financial reward for the owners. Every oil painting is a unique impression of the world as the artist sees it.

Oil paintings can be corrected and altered as the artist works as oil takes a long time to dry. This is not the case with water colors which dry very quickly.

Oil paintings can really make a difference to one’s decor. Oil paintings or wall hangings can transform a room and be used as a reminder of special occasions or friends. Oil paintings are usually done on canvas stretched over a wooden frame.

www.oldplank.com has an extensive range of antique paintings in different styles that appeal to many different tastes. Enjoy the feel of this rich and wonderful art form, bringing warmth and tradition to one’s home.

These antique paintings vary in price depending on their age and condition; vintage oil paintings tend to be less expensive but overall condition is important. Careful restoration often enhances the value of old paintings in excess of the cost of restoration.

There is always a place for antique oil paintings and one can find them at affordable prices making it possible to have them as part of your home decor. They can also be hung in the office or work area where they are always appreciated.