In English, a ‘commode’ refers to a sturdy chest of drawers or a bureau. In French “commode” refers to a piece of furniture with drawers. For antique collectors, an antique commode is almost always a chest of drawers. An antique commode is one of the most ornately decorated pieces of antique furniture and it represents sheer luxury and class. In Victorian England, the term commode described a bedside cupboard or a lavishly decorated chest of drawers or a low cabinet. In the 18th century France, a commode was the most important piece of provincial furniture. Found in a salon or drawing room, a highly decorated antique commode can be a status and lifestyle symbol of the owner.

Antique commodes can be chosen according to their provenance. They have certain designs and styles that may help you make the right choice.

Despite having come to stay as a permanent feature in English homes since the 1740′s, antique commodes are still referred to as the ‘French commodes’. These chests of drawers with ornately decorated curved fronts and designs later came to be more popular as the French Commode Tables. The commodes had serpentine shapes and many had bow fronts. By the early 1800′s the antique commodes took a rectangular shape. An antique commode decoration includes marquetry and gilt-metal mounts. An antique commode as a painted ornament became a feature around 1870. Some antique commodes have ornate tops, drawers and doors. The drawers in antique commode are concealed. Commodes were popular throughout the 1800′s. An antique commode has a form and decoration that were copied from the 18th century commodes.

Antique commodes can be chosen according to the material used in them:

Antique commodes in dark wood: Dark wood was used in the antique commodes to emphasize the magnificence of the gilt-bronze mounts. Antique commodes are a symbol of the skill of the French cabinet-makers. Antique commodes have gilt-bronze bands set to link the front corner mounts with the foliate hoof feet that serve to protect their edges.

Antique commodes with marble tops: Many antique commodes from Europe are found with marble tops. Antique commodes from England come usually with wooden tops. As compared to wooden tops, marble topped commodes can certainly add a touch of greater luxe to any living room. You may find that some of the antique commodes are available with their original marble top, from the 18th century. In many instances, the antique commodes may be fixed with replacements when the originals were broken. It is also possible that the previous owner of the antique commodes replaced the marble tops to suit his fancy. Whatever maybe the reason, the replacement of the marble top does not necessarily alter the value of an antique commode.

How to establish the quality and the authenticity of an antique commode:

• A genuine antique commode has metallic embellishments or the ormolu mounts created to contrast the darkness of the wood used. The best pieces have bold and heavy ormolu mounts with finely embossed detail, while those of lower quality tend to be lighter with a less finish
• A genuine antique commode has original drawer handles or non-original replacements
• A genuine antique commode may show signs of termite damage and sawdust

With a bit of creativity, you can soon be adding a touch of elegant antique French design into your home decor to showcase your taste in antique furniture.

Antique commode styles:

• Antique commode styles often changed gradually
• Antique commode can bear in them an unglamorous decorative style characterized by simple lines and beautiful wood, but with a ridged marble top
• Antique commode styles may be available in rounded opulence
• The plain design of commodes make them far less valuable than those of earlier periods
• Antique commode styles with a single chest of drawers are expensive
• Antique commodes from Europe have shaped marble tops
• Antique commodes from England usually have wooden tops tops
• As compared to wooden tops, marble topped antique commodes add a touch of greater luxe to any living room

Antique commodes add a touch of elegance to your home decor and showcases your taste in antique furniture.

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.