Features to look out for in finding your latest piece of Reproduction French Furniture:
Painted items should be in an antique white, gold, black or mahogany finish. Don’t look for anything too perfect – and laminate woods and light woods are a no-no.
Hand-carved, intricate and ornate detailing should be obvious on the piece of furniture. This is particularly true of the detail added to dining tables and oversized mirrors.
Hand-finished detailing of beads and fabrics and embellishments is a great bonus. It means that the piece has had time and effort put into it and will almost certainly be a one-off as no two pieces will turn out exactly the same with hand finishing.
Distressed or aged finishes are a must. It gives the piece of reproduction French furniture character and, rather than look old and past it’s best, it looks homely and loved.
Gold-leaf work is great if you can find it. Usually something using this amount of detail and level of material will be pricier but it does give a fantastic finish.
Brass handles or mis-matched handles make a piece stand out. There are many variances available so you need to make sure that you look the overall look that it creates rather than just picking something because it has the right elements.
Silk fabrics are sumptuous and luxurious and are a real find if you come across a piece which has some. Commonly used as a detailing tool on things such as dressers and stools, silk can really set off a piece and make it stand out in a room.