Everything exists within a historical timeline including the furnishings in your home. Is that chest of drawers you inherited from your grandma an antique? Is the 1960s Danish dining table your parents lovingly cared for that now sits in your home modern? How about the pair of lamps you purchased at the local thrift shop – are they vintage? Let us see what a quick Google search revealed.
ANTIQUES: According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an antique is classified as a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object over 100 years of age. Furthermore, most antiques were not mass-produced. The complexity of the design, emphasis on exotic woods and fabrics made furniture design before the 19th century a rarity and expensive.
MODERN: Wikipedia describes Modern Furniture as furniture produced during the first half of the 20th century. Influenced by the post World War II ideals of cutting excess, modernism sought to break with the ornate styles of the decorative arts. With the introduction of new materials and technology, the age of mass production was born. Decorative furniture and art would now become available to the general population.
VINTAGE: Often when we think of vintage we think of cars and wines. The term has expanded to include anything that is at least 20 to 100 years old. Vintage items for the home have become very desirable in today’s decorative market. They tend to be of good quality, and vintage items have a cool vibe.
Also, keep in mind whatever your preference may be, antique, modern or vintage they all have one thing in common: they’re Green!
Sutter Antiques, sutterantiques.com
