Today I’ve Mona Thompson from Providence Ltd. Design as my guest blogger. She’s here with a great post about American antiques. Mona is from Arkansas and has a popular blog. I didn’t meet her until recently when I was the guest speaker at Cobblestone and Vine’s Designer Appreciation Luncheon. She’s the owner of a great antique shop and an online store. Enjoy! – Tobi
So thrilled to be included in the Guest Post line-up for Tobi’s All-American Series …
Knowing that we love antiques …We’ve been asked to focus on American Antiques…
Just a little history…
Heading for the New World with high hopes and dreams of a better life, the early American settlers found themselves in wild, unclaimed country that they made their home. They brought little in the way of furniture or possessions, and built rough, rudimentary shacks. Early American furniture for the most part consisted of a few benches, perhaps a trestle table, and mattresses on the floor. Bit by bit, they began to make their homes more comfortable, and the tradition of early American furniture was born.
America had been occupied by different countries. And two influences are very prominent in American antique furniture—English and French. You will see that many American antique furniture pieces look a lot like those made by English and French. You can easily determine English or French antique furniture but it is difficult to identify an antique that is considered American.
Regardless of the style, we’re drawn to designs that appear to have evolved over time. The best way to achieve this is pairing old with new and adding well edited collections. It’s what makes a house a home. Antiques can add timeless sophistication and glamour…
The very best part can be the thrill of the hunt..
Putting it all together is a very close second… Unless it’s a priceless antique, and truthfully a lot that we encounter are not…the addition of paint or slip-covers can go a long way to update pieces that you have inherited that hold a special place in your heart… but aren’t necessarily the look you’ve been dreaming of…
Rustic casual is a favorite…
And there’s always shabby chic…
American Antiques can add timeless sophistication and glamour, rustic elegance or shabby chic to your home. It all depends on your style for living.
Images via Pinterest, Tumblr,Country Living Magazine, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest.
Beautiful post by Mona!!! Love all the examples of rooms done beautifully with antiques. Kathysue
Thanks for having me. Sister and I enjoyed getting to know you at the Cobblestone and Vine Luncheon and have huge respect for both you and your work. You make Arkansas very proud. Mona
so many of my favorite images of fabulous antiques and decorated homes…antiques are wonderful for adding depth and character to ones home as aptly shown here in these images..
fabulous post Mona,
maureen
two of my favorite designers together!
first on mona’s blog what a great capture of tobi’s beautiful work. i always find myself staring at all the details in how her rooms seem effortlessly styled
here on the guest post a brilliant collection of antiques and their history. mona was too gracious to mention, but a massive collection of finely edited antiques can be found on her on-line shop.
thank you tobi for another spot-on blog post, just love this series
x
debra
Lovely post, Mona, and what beautiful pictures you’ve illustrated it with. x Sharon
Such great pictures — I LOVE this look. Being an especially sentimental girl, I was glad to see a great solution to the pieces that remind me of the people I love, even if I don’t love their style choices! Seriously,it’s been wonderful for me to be able to use a mirror given to my parents on their first anniversary by my grandparents. It wasn’t an expensive gift, but it is a TREASURE to me! Thanks for the inspiration to do even more!
wonderful post..the chair in the 5th image cream with beige and blue print, the jars with fresh flowers, lovely..last image bed & bedding is dreamy..love it..!
Love this post! Such beautiful pieces and put together so well. Found it very inspiring!
Mona!
It is true..our country came to be when other countries settled on this land we now call America. Great post, lots of beautifully decorated rooms with treasures collected from various places all over the world. One of my favorite images is the bathtub with the bookcase!
Blessings…
xx
What a spectacular post, as always, from my favorite “sister” blog and absolutely beautiful images!! I too love the look of antiques mixed in with other decor for an “evolved over time” look…the perfect combination.
Interesting to read “a little history” about American antiques! Liked all the photos!!!!
Old is great, mix it with new it becomes even better!!! i love that bathtub
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LOVE these images. To me, the best of both worlds is mixing the things that are beautiful with the things that have precious meaning! Thank you for giving us great inspiration for doing just that!
Mona, love your post! It is such a small world, I had a great time
at Tobi’s design workshop recently ! She has an
incredible staff and talent. Love your blog !
So glad you and many of the other pledges are doing
so well! All my best! Tammy Riley Dixon
What a lovely post! I love that you included the history too – the French and English influence – so much of America is a blending of various cultures and that’s what I think makes American design truly amazing! Beautiful post…
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/
Wow, I love the bath in the first bathroom picture. So cool. And the bedroom with the four post bed, sofa and large window is fab too. Are they book cases built in either side of the window? Great idea if they are.
Grrreat photos!! franki
Interesting reading some of the history behind American antiques! Liked all the photos!!!!
Mona, loved reading about early American settlers and history of American antiques. We are swooning over your collection of pictures. So many beautiful rooms with antiques. Great post!
lovely piece, mona. and I agree about mixing it up with painted pieces. loved your images…donna
Well how fun is this! Wonderful Mona (I adore her!)over on your lovely blog. I am a huge fan of your work, Tobi.
Mona has a great eye for lovely design. Have you seen her home? Stunning!
You picked wonderful images Mona. Particularly like the rooms where old and new furnishings meet. The rustic casual room is fantastic.
Happy weekend to you all!
Mon