Because closets were not included as a standard feature of new homes until late in the 20th century, furniture makers developed a range of freestanding storage for clothing and linens. Personally, I love the look (and practicality) of a rich mahogany armoire or linen press.
If you are on the lookout for an antique armoire or wardrobe it is worth your while to check out Judith Miller's Antiques Guide as well as Antiques Atlas, a UK-based antiques directory and catalog. Once you have a better idea of the age, wood type, and appearance you prefer you can start perusing other websites, from Craigslist to Ruby Lane to 1st Dibs.
So, what is the difference between an armoire and a wardrobe? And what is a "linen press"? Here is a little glossary.
Armoire: Armoire is a French term for a tall storage cabinet enclosed by a large door or doors. Inside, there is usually a main section for hanging clothes and sometimes shelves or drawers below. Armoires are also known as wardrobes, particularly in England and other Commonwealth countries. The name dates back to the 13th century from the Latin "armorium", a chest for storing arms or weapons. Rails for hanging clothes (on coat-hangers) were not commonly used until after 1900. In recent years, armoires were being used to store gargantuan TV sets but since the introduction of the flat-screen TV many people are again using their armoires for clothing.
Linen Press: A linen press (image 2) is a cabinet or cupboard that is usually divided into two sections, almost like a mini wardrobe atop a chest of drawers. Originally, linen presses were used to store linens so the top half had sliding trays. Armoires or wardrobes started to replace the "linen press" by the mid-19th century.
• 1 Here two rustic armoires make up for the lack of closet space in this bedroom-turned-storage room featured in House Beautiful.
• 2 I love this gorgeous Regency flamed mahogany linen press circa 1810, which I found at the England-based Driscolls Antiques.
• 3 Painted vintage armoire in a serene, muted living room found on Decor Pad.
• 4 Armoire from Former Furniture in Los Angeles. Uncertain as to the kind of wood and age of this piece but it looks sturdy and is a good bargain at $650.
• 5 19th century George III mahogany armoire from House Beautiful.
• 6 I love this simple pine armoire from Desire to Inspire.
• 7 Another from Desire to Inspire.
• 8 A stunning Danish Modern teak armoire circa 1960. From Modern Living Supplies on 1st dibs. $3,800.
• 9 Lonny via SF Girl by Bay.
• 10 Pair of solid teak narrow armoires from Sri Lanka circa late 19th century. From G4 Decor on 1st dibs. $5,500.
Images: as linked above
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In the South, we call also call them chifforobes.
I was just going to say that, sugarbakers :)
Oops! What a bad sentence! I was distracted when typing. Meant to say:
In the South, we also call them chifforobes.
:)
Love old armoires - better than Ikea Pax.
Way to deal with older homes with not enough closets (which is pretty much all of them. Though I believe not having closets in new construction until the later half of the 20th century is an error - perhaps the author meant to say 19th century?)
Really like the wood ones that were made to come apart in flat panels, that don't have to be moved intact.
I also love the look and recently found a beauty on Craigs List, it turned out to be the perfect addition to our bedroom
I sometimes wish that we still resorted to armoires for storage instead of closets - people wouldn't have nearly the struggle with clutter I think.
Actually, author is correct on closet timeline. Closets didn't become an important feature of homes until sometime around the mid 1900s.
We own a 1925 craftsman, and the closets are tiny tiny tiny. We took out the dining room and made it into a master closet. We took out a hallway and made it into a laundry/storage room. And we thankfully have a large attic.
In the rest of the home, we're making do with lots of external storage like armoires, chifforobes :), shelves and cubbies.
love the inspirational photos!
tonya lee
About.com Guide to Budget Decorating
www.budgetdecorating.about.com
Oh I'm so happy to see this. Right now I'm sitting in front of my old wardrobe that has been retro-fit to house my home office. All of the external bits fit, along with two pullout shelves and there is still room for a little kitchen overflow. The recessed panels on the inside of the doors have corkboard covered with my favourite travel photos.
These pieces are very versatile.
We have a chifforobe-I'm southern :) that we use to hold our tv in the living room. I LOVE it we purchased it at a local antique store, well worth the money! It holds our tv--only one in the house, and our games, it is nice to be able to have something convenient and rustic that keeps our guilty pleasure (tv) out of sight and most of the time out of mind!
beautiful! And always very informative post Catrin! We live in a 1940s house and the closets are a laughable size, think dollhouse, but it has made us extra deliberate about adding to our wardrobes.