Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Be Inspired No. 97 - Bobbin Furniture Objet d' Art


Who knew that an ornate 17th century furniture design would become an objet d' art. Welcome back to you bobbin furniture coming in strong as a fresh and modern vibe with a vintage twist. Antiques are the new black and bobbin furniture pieces add a playful aesthetic. Lightheartedness is certainly something you can't go wrong welcoming into your design plan. Nostalgia is one of the characteristics of furniture that makes you smile. 

The spool-like turned leg design of bobbin furniture pieces makes it a standout piece with artistic appeal. It's a design that can stand in solitude and interpret the formality of a chesterfield sofa. Imagine the harmony of infusing a piece of bobbin furniture in a mid-century design. 







The turned ornamental design of bobbin furnishings is inspiring mirrors, picture frames, lighting, even kitchenware and sporting bold color finishes. But I'll keep my love of this 17th century design for tried and true worn or restored-with-love finishes. It deserves its objet d' art status so be careful where you place it and how its finished. There is something to be said for authenticity. 








The is a lightheartedness of injecting an unexpected vintage piece into your design plan. There needs to be a respect for the piece, it's design history and the story behind it, whether you find it be on an antique road trip or an heirloom piece respect it. Approach its placement with loving caution the playfulness it will bring to the space must not be contrived. 









Think bare essential when considering a furniture art piece it shouldn't be decorated like a mantel at Christmas. No bells and whistles necessary when selecting the wood finish or fabric cover. Restraint is key. Consider the fact that there is only ever one painting on an artist's easel, everything else in her studio is just background. It's the shiny penny clutched in your hand at the candy store while you look over all your choices pondering how each will taste before you tell the shopkeeper your selection. 






Now remember we live outside the box so don't give a thought to restricting a piece of bobbin furniture to a contemporary setting. We live in a design world where stuffiness is not welcome in or design plans, the living room isn't saved for Sundays. Playfulness is welcome with any design style. The approach for placement doesn't change, the bobbin furniture piece is still an art piece. Be a mixer not a matcher. An art piece disappears if it matches its surroundings. Art is meant to mix things up. 









Opposites attract even in the design world. Be a maximalist or a minimalist the Garanimals haven't been a part of great design for a long time.  Bobbin furniture pieces cross both the traditional and contemporary lines. It's understated yet has made its mark in history and continues to stand tall.





Be inspired!


Sources (in no particular order): Luxe Source, House and Garden Magazine, The Design Files, Vanguard Furniture, Alfred Newell, Rottzooi, HGTV, Pinterest, Instagram

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