With interior design growing more complex in the modern world, it is more than just going to trendy stores like CB2 and buying their products. It takes time and careful thought to impressive and curated home stunning using a blend of materials, colors, scales, periods, and most importantly, time. If you are new to design and antique collecting, it can be overwhelming to decide how to begin.
We have always appreciated how today’s designers incorporate antiques into modern homes for added personality and depth. Like anything else, not all antiques have value, though. Just because something shouts, ‘I’m old’ like your grandmother’s vase, does not mean it is worth a dime or in sync with current design trends. There is a flow in popularity when it comes to design elements including antiques. As for specialists, a number of antique trends are expected to dominate the scene in 2025 and we are excited to see how the scene develops.
Gee’s Bend quilts attract high praise for their graphic design, and during the 2020 black lives movement their popularity surged. These quilts are made by African American Women from Gee’s Bend in Alabama and are now highly-valued collectible items. Antiques quilt expert Marin Kirksey says that they are an important part of American textile history. Authentic Gee’s Bend quilts are expensive, but similar quality Amish and Mennonite quilts from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana are far more affordable, making them great alternatives. These shipsr are also appreciated for being modern design friendly.
Wicker furniture, especially Victorian pieces, is the newest antique trend to see a rise in popularity, marking one of the few cases where curlicues are considered fashionable. Adam Charlap Hyman, the designer, is fond of the Heywood Wakefield and Perret and Vibert brands that produced ancient basket-work models over one hundred years ago, that somehow still look modern. The rocking chairs, tables, and chaises range from hook and eye hundred dollars to thousand dollars based on their quality and uniqueness. 1stDibs and flea markets offer other prospective shopping outlets for vintage goods.
The word “jolie laide” refers to the modern acceptance of surrealistic and naive artwork. Artists like Gertrude Abercrombie and Earle Swanigan, who made charmingly disturbing anthropomorphic portraits of famous historical figures, are now surging in popularity. Swanigan’s ,admittedly low, price point makes him accessible to many collectors, Abercrombie’s psychologically complex landscapes gained the artist a lot of attention after a 2018 show and due to her being a surrealist inspired artist, she suffers the same fate.
The vintage Windsor chair, wonderfully crafted in the 18th century, is a staple in American Colonial furniture. Like every other collectible, its market value depends on its age, condition, and where it was purchased from. Compared to high end collectibles that cross thousands in value, functional pieces are only a few hundred. Olde Hope and Battle brown are sellers of quality antiques and other items, including Windsor chairs from the 18th and 19th century.
Finally, interior designers have begun to appreciate the Knole settee for what it is: a blend of style and functionality. Moreover, its price tag makes it even more desirable. The settee is the predecessor to the modern sleeper sofa and originated from England in the 17th century. The antique goes for about 3,000 to 10,000 dollars and is considered a priceless commodity among collectors. Its wide seat, long back, and foldable arms make it comfortable for stuffing a person in the settee like a sack of potatoes. For contemporary use, many designers choose to reupholster Victorian and Edwardian versions of the settee, allowing the perfect fusion of modern comfort and antique charm.
Designing spaces using quirky wicker furniture, bold quilts, and surrealist art is sure to alter the design landscape by 2025 and beyond, all while ensuring a fusion of modernism and timelessness. These vintage accent pieces will certainly have a profound impact on the juxtaposition of the past and the present.
