5 Expert Tips for Decorating with Antique and Vintage Buffets

Filling your space with beautiful pieces is the ultimate goal whether or not you are a team of designers or a single home-owner. Dating back to ancient civilizations such as China and Rome, people were collecting antique and vintage items for their homes. No matter what era or style calls to you, purchasing an older item brings history and character to your interior. At Jean-Marc Fray, a buffet is a perfect place to start! Often the centerpiece of a dining room or living area, a buffet brings gravity and soul to your room. Finding the right credenza and balancing it with thoughtful accessories is the key, ensuring it looks purposeful and pleasing. Here are five expert tips for decorating your home with antique and vintage buffets!

1 – Rethink the Concept of Antique

There are very specific classic ideals that come to mind when we imagine an antique buffet. Though at Jean-Marc Fray we love the lines of a Louis XVI piece, there are other options as well. Mixing in a mid-century sideboard into your classic-leaning home can create excitement. Similarly, we recommend searching for alternative materials as well – a light wood to stand out against your dark floors for example. An antique buffet does not have to fit into any specific box, there are many options out there.

2 – Look for Buffets with Character

Antique and vintage credenza inject character and authenticity into any home. Their detailed surfaces and hand-crafted characteristics tell a story of bygone eras, connecting us to the past and infusing a sense of history and heritage into our living spaces. Searching for the story of a piece is especially important when you find items that echo your own history. At Jean-Marc Fray we are happy to help you find the right buffet to emphasize your own character into your home.

3 – See the Buffet in Person

There are many great options for shopping online, including our website. Yet, online is a great jumping off point. Especially with larger items that are a big footprint in your home, it is especially helpful to get the feel of a piece in person. Opening doors, feeling hardware – these are all important aspects of a buffet that rely on an in person experience. At our gallery in Austin, you can touch and interact with all of our available buffets and much more.

4 – Shop with a Plan

We love to help find the perfect piece for your home, so never be afraid to arrive with a plan! Floor plans, color plans, etc. The more details you bring of your home/room, the easier it is to find the perfect piece for your space. Dimensions are especially necessary as a buffet is an integral part to a dining room or living area. Ensuring the piece will fit as expected is essential! A plan of style or color is helpful as well, though we appreciate a client who is open to finding what catches their eye!

5 – Embrace the Contrast of Old and New

An antique or vintage buffet effortlessly brings a touch of timeless elegance to any interior. The graceful curves, intricate carvings, and warm patina of aged wood exude a sense of refinement that transcends passing trends. Alternatively, the classic elegance of the ebonized wood from the Louis XVI period gives prominence and impact to a space. Embracing contrast in a space emphasizes the best of all styles and eras.

Ready to find the perfect antique or vintage buffet for your home? Stop by our gallery or check out our New Arrivals page to see all of our available sideboards.