We created Exclusive Collection carefully chosen for its original designs and quality of workmanship.
0 comments — posted 2011 Jun by Bojan Bojanov
We created Exclusive Collection carefully chosen for its original designs and quality of workmanship.
0 comments — posted 2011 Jun by Bojan Bojanov
We created Exclusive Collection carefully chosen for its original designs and quality of workmanship.
0 comments — posted 2010 Oct by Bojan Bojanov
NEW MIRRORS AND LIGHTING COLLECTION
available now
0 comments — posted 2010 Oct by Bojan Bojanov
Visit our Mirrors and Lighting selection,
absolutely stunning new designs
0 comments — posted 2010 Jul by Bojan Bojanov
When many think of Japanese interior design, their first thoughts are of large pillows in the middle of a room surrounding low tables with paneling of rice papers. Much of the western opinions of Japanese interior design are the fault of misrepresentation on television and in movies. Eastern art, for example is simple and strong while western art tends to be more complicated and in many ways confusing.
0 comments — posted 2010 Jun by Bojan Bojanov
A trunk, also known as a travelling chest, is a large cuboid container for holding clothes and other personal belongings, typically about 1.5 metres wide, and 0.5 metres each deep and high, or about 25" to 40" wide, 14" to 28" high, and 14" to 24" deep. They were most commonly used for extended periods away from home, such as forboarding school, or long trips abroad. Most trunks are now used as either furniture such as glass-covered coffee-tables or decorative storage for everything from blankets and linens to memorabilia and military paraphernalia. Trunks are differentiated from chests by their more rugged construction due to their intended use as luggage, instead of the latter's pure storage.
Although trunks have been around for thousands of years in China and elsewhere, the most common styles seen and referred to today date from the late 18th Century to the early 20th, when they were supplanted in the market by the cheaper and lighter suitcase.
Among the many styles of trunks there are Jenny Linds, Saratogas, Monitors, Steamers, (or Flat-tops) Barrel-Staves, Bevel-tops, Wardrobes, Dome-tops, Barrell-tops, Wall Trunks, and even full Dresser trunks. These differing styles often only lasted for a decade or two as well, and - along with the hardware - can be extremely helpful in dating an unmarked trunk.
Trunks were generally constructed with a base trunk box made of pine which was then covered with protective and decorative materials. Some of the earliest trunks are covered with studded hide or leather and look much like the furniture of the same period (which makes sense as trunk manufacturing was sometimes an off-shoot of a furniture business.) Later coverings include paper, canvas, plain or embossed tin, with an uncounted assortment of hardware and hardwood slats to keep it all down.
The easiest way for the casual observer to date any trunk is still by examining its style, so a short description of each aforementioned major variety follows.
Jenny Lind Trunks have a distinctive hour glass or keyhole shape when viewed from the side. They were named after the Swedish singer of the same name (and figure) who toured America in the mid 19th Century along with PT Barnum. In fact, she was well-known to carry a trunk of this style with her while on the road.
Saratoga trunks were the premium trunks of many makers (or the exclusive design of many premium trunk makers) and actually can encompass nearly every other style of trunk manufactured if loosely-defined, although generally they are limited to before the 1880s. The most readily-recognizable feature of Saratogas are their myriad (and generally very complex) compartments, trays, and heavy duty hardware.
Monitor-tops (incorrectly known as water-fall trunks from the furniture) date from the late 1870s to the late 1910s, and are characterized by their rounded front and rear corners to form a lying-down "D" when viewed from the side. Earlier examples usually included labor-intensive hardwood slats that were curved with the top, while there was a revival much later with rarer, all-metal ones being constructed.
Steamer trunks which are sometimes referred to as Flat-Tops, first appeared in the late 1870s, although the greater bulk of them date from the 1880-1920 period. They are distinguished by either their flat or slightly-curved tops and were usually covered in canvas, leather or patterned paper. There has been much debate and discourse on what these types of trunks are actually called. In some old catalogues, these trunks were called "packers", and the "steamer" trunk was actually referred to a trunk that is often called a cabin trunk. An orthodox name for this type of trunk would be a "packer" trunk, but since it has been widely called a steamer for so long, it is now a hallmark of this style.
Cabin trunks which are sometimes called "true" steamer trunks, were today's equivalent of carry-on luggage. They were low-profiled and small enough to fit under the berths of trains or in the cabin of a steamer, hence their name. Most were built with flat-tops and had inner tray compartments to store the owner's valuables deemed too precious to keep stowed away in the main luggage train or berth. If made by a certain manufacturer, this trunk style can sell for higher amounts than an ordinary steamer trunk.
Hat trunks (or Hat boxes) were square shaped trunks that were popular in the 1860s to the 1890s. Today, they are mostly called "half-trunks". They were smaller and less wieldy to carry, usually having a handle directly on top of the lid. Most were flat tops, but some had domed lids (which were very elegant). Victorian women loved this trunk style, hence antique trunk labels often calling this type a "Ladies" trunk. Hat trunks generally sell for more than any other average trunk style because, for one, they are smaller, and two, they are rather "rare" to find. Expect to pay $100 or more for one that is leather, dome-topped, and including all its tray compartments.
Barrel-Staves are sometimes referred to as a form of Dome-top trunk, but generally date from a decade or more earlier and are notable for having horizontal slats instead of vertical, giving it a distinctive look and construction. These were generally made from the late 1870s to the mid-1880s.
Bevel-tops are separated into an early and a late (or revival) period, the former generally dating from the 1870-1880 period, and the latter from 1890-1900. They are characterized by a distinct trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side, although the earlier period tended to have a much shorter flattened top section than the later did. These tend to be extremely rare, although are not as popular or sought-after as many of the other varieties.
Wardrobe trunks generally must be stood on end to be opened and have drawers on one side and hangers for clothes on the other. Many of the better wardrobe lines also included buckles/tie-downs for shoes, removable suitcases/briefcases, privacy curtains, mirrors, make-up boxes, and just about anything else imaginable. These are normally very large and heavy as they were used for extended travel by ship or train.
A Dome-top trunk has a high, curved top that can rise up to heights of 25-30". A variety of construction methods - including curfing, molded ply, barrel construction, and so forth - were used to form the inner boxes. Included in this classification are Camel-backs which are distinguished by having a central, vertically-running top slat that is higher than its fellows, Hunch-backs or Hump-backs which is the same but has no slat in the center of the top, and Barrel-tops (not to be confused with Barrel-staves) which have high arching slats that are all the same height. (To tell you should be able to lay a ruler flat across the tops of the slats.) These trunks date from 1870s-1900s, although there are a few shops still manufacturing them today. They are not only the most commonly trunks referred to as antique, but also are among the most popular.
Wall trunks are made with a special hinges so that when opened the trunk could still be put flat up against a wall. The two main manufacturers include Clinton and Miller, which can be easily noted by the name on the hinges. In good condition these are comparatively sought-after trunks for a specialty type, although are in the middling range when it comes to price.
Dresser trunks also known as Pyramidal trunks due to their shape, are a unique form of wall-trunk that generally date from the 1900-1910 era. They are characterized by a lid that opens up nearly the entire front half of the trunk, allowing it to rest on the bottom. Extremely large and rare in good condition with all of their drawers/lids/trays/etc, these trunks have been known to fetch high prices when fully restored. The two prominent manufacturers of this trunk style were F. A. Stallman and Homer Young & Co., the latter being harder to find.
Oak Slat trunks are perhaps the rarest and most sought after trunks by avid Americana trunk collectors. This type, which incorporates many construction-styles (e.g. dome-top, flat-top, bevelled-top, and as well as the particularly rare wall-trunk style attributed to Clinton Wall Trunk Factory), are built on a wooden frame, wherethen the malletier would fit thin oak slats vertically side-by-side until the entire trunk is covered. To a Victorian, this would show the complexity of the trunk and astuteness of the malletier, and was an indication of wealth to any purchaser. Oak Slat trunks were built by several companies. The Excelsior Company's oak slat trunk is often deemed the premier maker of this style, but several trunk authorities claim that this misconception of superiority between the few trunk companies who made oak slat trunks have affected the trunk market, as more people are in search for those made by Excelsior. And some experts reason that all oak slat trunks are built professionally, thus any trunk that embodies this style is extremely rare and no maker-preference is necessary. Other trunk companies known to have built oak slat trunks are: MM (Martin Maier) Company, Clinton Wall Trunk Manufactory, and El Paso Slat Trunk Company. Some oak slat trunks, unlike those whose individual vertical slats are uniform in color, were made with alternating colors on the vertical slats. An alternating-color oak slat trunk is very rare and exemplifies the oak slat style's use of uniqueness and beauty, and its value henceforth will be greater.
Footlockers are trunk-like pieces of luggage used in military contexts. Generally these are designed for economy, ruggedness, and ease of transport rather than aesthetic qualities.
Some of the better known trunk makers are Louis Vuitton, Goyard, Moynat, Haskell Brothers, M. M. Secor, Leatheroid, Clinton, Hartmann, Oshkosh, Molloy, Truesdale, and Taylor. Other rare and fine Malletiers still in existence includes La Malle Bernard. One of the largest American manufacturers of trunks at one point - Seward Trunk Co. of Petersburg, Virginia - still makes them for school and camp, and another company - Shwayder Trunk Company of Denver, Colorado - would eventually change its name and become Samsonite.
During the steamer trunk restoration process when the inside paper covering is removed you will sometimes find whimsical dated notes in lead pencil made by the original craftsman as well as the circular saw blade impressions made on the rough-cut wood at the saw mill both of which give added character and value to the restored trunk.
0 comments — posted 2010 Mar by Bojan Bojanov
Sofas have been called by many names, we are familiar with them being called couches, but they have also been called settees, lounges, davenports, or chesterfields. But it does not stop there they also go by other names because of their various styles such as a two-seater, a three-seater, a corner sofa, or perhaps a chaise lounge. A small version of a couch is sometimes called a loveseat, and, as you likely already know, there are sofas that fold out into beds, as well as futons – which are incredibly similar. There are even lounges or elaborate sofas with canopies for privacy or decoration…..
….Not many people collect antique sofas – or have sofas of older styles custom designed. I don’t think it is a bad idea, actually. If one were to decorate one’s home with an antique theme – with beautiful furniture, accessories and other decor, a lounge similar to the designs used in ancient Rome may be extremely beautiful. The distinct look of such a motif would be incredibly impressive to your guests, as well as an elegant environment for you and your family.
Couches or sofas are usually in the living room and / or other lounging areas of a given abode. If you are re-decorating your home, you may consider purchasing a new sofa. Sofas come in many styles and have been very popular throughout history. Now virtually everyone who resides in a home, apartment, etc. owns a sofa. Similarly to owning a television or radio, a sofa is one of the most essential pieces of priority furniture in a home – no matter what your income. If you look in the right place, you can find a great sofa at an inexpensive price, too!
Until the 20th century the sofa or couch was the name which referred to a long, upholstered seat – one end would be inclined enough for the person lounging on it to rest his or her head. In the late, middle ages the couch almost signified a daybed, and again, we do have our modern versions of the daybed, do we not? Window seats are also very beautiful, comfortable, luxurious and simple to install.
The daybed was the most popular and common kind of sofa in the 17th century. Especially into the 19th century the sofa, couch, or lounge bed was often thought of as a ladies lounging seat. However, reverting back further in history, men would often lounge as they ate or relaxed, and the women would stand or sit in chairs. As a matter of fact, it was not until the industrial era that sofas began to appear eventually in the homes of more and more common people. Soon it became so that virtually everyone, singles, couples, and / or whole families, would acquire at least one sofa for their home.
Sofas and psychologists have been associated with each other for some time. Although not all psychologists will instruct his or her client to lie down for sessions, the idea hinges on many Freudian psychoanalysis theories – therefore, is used often by doctors that adhere to such notions. Lying down as a therapist or psychoanalyst of some kind may be an important aspect of his or her method for interpreting dreams. It has been theorized that stream of consciousness is much easier for the client to voice when in a calming, physical position. It is the concept that the relaxation provided by reclining in such a way, as well as not looking the doctor or healer in the face – helps the individual “open up” or speak more freely: a logical idea.
Presently, even on situation comedies on American television, the couch is sometimes virtually serves as an additional lead – character in the show. For example: The Simpsons, a television show with which almost every American is familiar – even if only by reputation. I can not imagine a time in the future where the sofa or some version of it will be eliminated. Like all furniture that has been designed by people throughout the ages, the sofa is one that is revived, improved, designed by variations on a basic theme – and yet is timeless.
Feel free to browse trough our Unique sofa collection.
