We talk a lot about mid-century and modern furniture here on AT but that is hardly where our interests end. New England is rich with the history of furniture and that history began well before 1940. Whether they are pieces inspired by Europe's royalty or colonial America, antiques can be a wonderful, warming complement to a more modern decor. Last week our D.C. site covered the Obama's new bedframe for the White House which came from Leonards New England here in Massachusetts. Follow the jump to see more items from this amazing antique store and restoration workshop...
It's fitting to feature Leonards during bedroom month here on AT because the company was originally founded in 1933 as a workshop able to re-size and restore all types of antique furniture, beds inparticular. Today, Leonards remains the premiere New England workshop for antique bed re-sizing and restoration, employing highly skilled craftsmen who take the ultimate care in their work — something our new President and First Lady no doubt enjoy every night.
Although beds remain a staple of their business, Leonards also features an incredible collection of other antique and reproduction furniture. From original Queen Anne Wing chairs to reproduction Windsor chairs, Leonards artfully restores and recreates high quality pieces. Their website is extensive and we found several great smaller pieces — like this adorable three-legged stool — if you're interested in hand crafted furniture but don't want to spend a fortune.
Leonards also has a whimsical collection of lighting and accessories that we would love to peruse in person — like this hand-painted French sign. We'll go ahead and state it plainly: this is not Pottery Barn. This is a workshop where trained crafts people are continuing an American tradition of furniture making. If you're serious about purchasing an anique or an accurate reproduction of traditional furniture, Leonards is a wonderful place to begin your search.
I love this old fashioned look for your home. I like that old, charming pieces do not have to be placed in homes that are old and charming. It goes with everything! And besides you can always tell your guest, "Oh, that old chair! That was my Great, great, great grandfathers chair." (They will never know that it is a replica and your really got it at Mortise & Tenon in LA.
Thanks for letting me post,
Melissa Mortise & Tenon LA and Yourfurniturelink
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I'm so glad you posted this. I hope to see AT branch out from the MCM rut they are in and start posting more broadly stylistically. While I appreciate MCM, I actually find it dull and I see a tendency for apartments to all look disappointingly the same.
Rock on, Wes & Kayla! Shake up AT with variety that represents a cross section of tastes.
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