Antique Nightstands
New London Single Drawer Stand in Cherry CA 1820
Being in the antique business and not collecting anything would probably mean that you were in the wrong field. I have many collections and would like to share them with you in the upcoming months along with some basic rules of thumb.
One of my favorite things about developing a collection is the memories that accumulate over time. In one quick glance at a piece, I can tell you where I was, who I spoke with and what the weather was like. Collecting can add fun to a trip as well as personal interest to a home.
Take something as basic as a nightstand – sometimes referred to as a bedside table, end table, work table, phone table and even drinks table. We all have needs for any of these purposes, so this is a good place to start.
Sheraton Carved Acanthus Leg Stand in Cherry & Flame Birch CA 1830
Let’s say you need a table about 2 feet square. Whether 200 years ago or 2 weeks ago, people have always needed these 2 feet or so square tables with drawers. Although their particular applications may have changed, the need for this type of table has not diminished because they still have a practical use. The table should have a drawer to keep things tidy and maybe a bottom shelf for magazines or books. You look in the mainstream marketplace or catalogs – and there are far too many. You choose one; get it home and there it is. It does its job - holds the lamp, pens and phone book – even the magazines – is very practical, nice-looking enough and probably not that cheap. But it’s still a little blah, one of 1,000 just like it with virtually no resale value should you move, redecorate or decide you had made a mistake.
Instead, take a look around – in antique shops (like Leonards), furniture shows, auctions, the Internet. Nightstands alone – the selection will be varied, from country birch or cherry, Hepplewhite with tapered legs or Sheraton with turned legs, even Victorian - all tell their own story; are well-made; pleasing to look at. By material and construction, they can be dated, attributed to a given area or even the cabinet-maker and just like real estate, resalable. Best of all, they won’t look just like your neighbors.