Brown Furniture on the Rise?

Nick Cohen of the London Evening Standard has a short opinion piece on a possible revival in interest in period English furniture. Cohen makes a case that as the economy continues to sputter, homeowners and decorators revert back to what they know and are comfortable with, such as brown antique furniture. They avoid the flash and stigma of conspicuous consumption. Cohen also notes that the new furniture is like a new car, immediately losing value, where antiques, at least have the potential of holding more of the value than new furniture.

Cohen states This recession is producing the same changes in taste as its predecessors. In hard times, people want the comfort of the familiar, and antiques are the nursery food of interior design. Even those with money like to tone down their conspicuous consumption; an antique looks less flashy and more in tune with the austere mood of the day.

There is, however, a more hard-headed reason for the old returning to popularity. Except for high-end designer pieces, expensive modern furniture is like an expensive car - its value plummets as soon as it leaves the saleroom. With the antique equivalent, however, if your world caves in and you have to auction your possessions, you can always hope to get your money back.

A good article, I just wish it had more depth and details. But I at least like what Cohen has to say. To read, click HERE.