Fireplace Antique Dealers: a Source for Fireplaces and Other Architectural Details

Whether you are decorating a new home or restoring an old one, architectural details have a subtle but significant impact. Whether you are looking for ornate crown molding or an old stone fireplace, antique dealers are a good place to start your search.

What if you had an unlimited budget and could do anything you want to decorate your home, and you're in love with French country style? You think of wide rows of lavender, golden sunlight on country fields and dark leafy trees, and that's what you want for your color palette. You'll use shades of purple, dark green and golden wheat colors.

Before you even think about furniture, you start dreaming of golden Venetian plaster walls, tall casement windows and dark purplish brown stone floors. You'd love a French country fireplace as a focal point. You want it made from a gold-colored marble with an aged patina, so that it enhances the colors and lighting of the room, and you want it to be as authentic as possible.

Antique dealers who specialize

There are antique dealers who deal specifically in fireplaces and fireplace accessories and there is even an antique dealer in France who specializes in fireplaces from old French country manors. Since cost isn't an issue, one of the specialists in antique fireplaces could find you an authentic French country fireplace that would fit perfectly in your room.

Reproductions

If you love the thought of an antique French country fireplace, but pass out at the thought of the expense, some dealers who specialize in antique fireplaces can find or create a reproduction for you. You get the look you want, but with less expense. If you are restoring an older home with an antique fireplace, but it is badly damaged, these specialists may be able to repair and restore it for you.

Architectural salvage

Architectural salvage dealers are another good source for antique fireplaces. They are generally less expensive than a specialty shop, but may not have the specific fireplace that you want. If, however, you have a certain look or style in mind, but are flexible about the details, they may be able to take care of you. You might not find the exact French country fireplace you are dreaming about, but you could probably find a simple golden marble fireplace that would give you the same feel, and would cost quite a bit less than importing one from France.

We don't usually think of antique dealers when we're doing a major remodeling project until we're ready to buy furniture. There are, however, antique shops that specialize in architectural pieces, and finding those special pieces can make all the difference, especially if you are designing a period room. While you're looking for a fireplace or some crown molding, you might find unexpected treasures, such as tin ceiling tiles or antique stained glass windows. Architectural antiques like those are lovely, and will make your home uniquely beautiful.