Not so shabby chic - how antiques are giving high street furniture stores a run for their money
We’ve all been to houses that are obviously kitted out from basement to attic in furniture from a certain Swedish retailer. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the individuality most people crave seems difficult to achieve on a budget so people inevitably resort to mass-produced flat-packs.
Antiques are perceived to be right at the other end of the furniture spectrum, available only to connoisseurs with lots of cash. But the assumption that antique furniture will cost you an arm and a leg is a false one. In fact, most people will be surprised to learn that you can buy genuine antique furniture for less than a new item straight off the high street.
For example, a typical dining table and six chairs from MFI will cost you around £800. Yet for a similar price you can get yourself an unrestored Victorian or Edwardian single leaf dining table and six balloon back chairs at just under £1,000 that you can guarantee nobody else will have. And, set against more contemporary pieces, it can be a stunning focal point.
Looking to antiques as an alternative way of furnishing your house makes sense both from a design point of view as well as financially. According to Sarah Worrall, sales director at Tomlinsons Antiques, Europe’s largest antiques warehouse, the practical, hardwearing and well-constructed nature of antique furniture will most probably not only be cheaper than a modern high-street equivalent but will also easily outlast any mass-produced item.
“With antique furniture you are also getting a design range that spans centuries,” Sarah says. “The huge variety of styles over the eras offers you the opportunity to create whatever look you want - be it period, country or simply a bit quirky.”
Sarah recommends mixing periods to get more layers and depth: “Doing an entire room in just a certain period looks great but it’s also worth considering juxtaposing pieces that cross centuries and movements. Mixing and matching can also create a fabulous and individual look.”
And it is the opportunity to be that little bit different and stand out from the crowd that is making more and more people turn away from the high street to antiques. Who doesn’t feel a bit put out when they realise that their fabulously stylish cabinet (from that certain Swedish store) has also made an appearance in next door’s house and probably in every other house in the street!
But where to start if you want to buy some bargain antiques? It’s easy to feel intimidated when discussing antique furniture as it’s seems to be such a rarefied world. The best thing to do is to not get bogged down with terminology but to simply concentrate on what you want, what kind of style you are after. Envisage what kind of piece would fit into your home then go to the experts and they will take you to the right era.
Antiques warehouses, like Tomlinsons, are ideal places to visit if you are looking for a low cost, stress free way to furnish your property as they have all kinds of furniture under one roof.
Tomlinsons which is based just off the A1 near York has more than 5,000 items in furniture in stock at any one time and more than 2,000 new items delivered each month. Its buying strength means that prices can be kept sensible.
The choice of furniture on offer in the warehouse is genuinely staggering, ranging from bookcases and sideboards to dining tables and cabinets, to beds and wardrobes. Harder to find antique items are also available such as pianos or chandeliers.
If you are after furniture from a certain era, Tomlinsons are also likely to have it, stocking items from the Georgian era through to Art Deco. And if you have a specific item in mind that is not in stock, they will to go out and track it down. Email alerts are sent out as soon as a piece comes in that may fit a customer’s requirements. For those buying from further afield, Tomlinsons can also arrange delivery anywhere around the UK.
To get an idea of what low-budget antique furniture is available, we have compiled a table below comparing unrestored antique items with similar high street versions. You may be surprised!
For further details on ‘bargain’ antiques at Tomlinsons warehouse visit www.antique-furniture.co.uk or call 01423 359052.
Antiques vs. High Street
[Image – Ercol Windsor sideboard]
An early Ercol elm sideboard from the Windsor range. Constructed from solid elm with a central set of three drawers, the top one has an adjustable and removable cutlery tray. Two cupboards flank the drawers, each with an adjustable shelf.
A new version of this model (which has a small recessed plinth base and is slightly taller) is currently retailing at £2155! (www.ercol.com)
Antique price - £350
High street equivalent - £2,155
[Image – French dressing table and stool
The stool is 19th century, has wonderful scroll feet and an upholstered top and bears a stencilled Parisian maker or retailer’s mark. The dressing table, which is probably Victorian, has been made in a gothic revival style with many of the decorative features you would expect. It has a single drawer to the front.
Antique price - £295
High street equivalent – a reproduction French style dressing table without stool from Fabulous & French costs £665 (www.fabulousandfrench.co.uk)
[Image – Arts and Crafts wardrobe]
This oak wardrobe from circa 1900-1920 embraces the essence of the Arts and Crafts Movement with its solid oak construction and elegant design.
The central door has a shaped bevelled mirror, which is flanked by two decorative windows in the side panels. It has a single drawer to the base, with solid oak linings.
Antique price - £225
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