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We are looking to buy a sideboard for our formal dining room. Currently we have a Mahogany Chippendale ball and claw style dining room table (see picture). Do you think the sideboard should also be Chippendale style or can we venture into other styles? Do you think a distressed look would go well or any other suggestions?
As a general rule once you get one piece of shiny, intricately finished furniture in a room you can't really go too far away from that without ending up with a "thift store" look.
In contrast if you have only simply finished furniture, like shaker-style or English pine you have more flexibility -- take a look at the catalogs / magazines and you see a whole lot of mixing & matching with such styles. You can even see some stuff going toward the "modern" look with those styles...
As a general rule once you get one piece of shiny, intricately finished furniture in a room you can't really go too far away from that without ending up with a "thift store" look.
In contrast if you have only simply finished furniture, like shaker-style or English pine you have more flexibility -- take a look at the catalogs / magazines and you see a whole lot of mixing & matching with such styles. You can even see some stuff going toward the "modern" look with those styles...
I also agree with what Chet said. Chippendale is extremely formal and polished. Anything that is distressed is going to read as casual and will seem at odds the formal pieces.
Do you feel that you are becoming tired of the Chippendale? Are you looking for a more relaxed style? Or are you happy with it; but are bombarded with PB and RH catalogs and magazine images? Sometimes the lure of a trend can be almost irresistible, but hold fast. This too shall pass.
Definitely stick with Chippendale. No distressed finish. It doesn't have to have a claw foot. It can have the other Chippendale feet like the china closet has in the photo.
If you could find the right piece, a faux bamboo buffet might work....some of my very favorite dining room chairs are the Chippendale faux bamboo chairs.
Here is something that is interesting - a Chinese alter table:
We are looking to buy a sideboard for our formal dining room. Currently we have a Mahogany Chippendale ball and claw style dining room table (see picture). Do you think the sideboard should also be Chippendale style or can we venture into other styles? Do you think a distressed look would go well or any other suggestions?
It has a serpentine front with curved doors, and hidden panels for valuables.
My dining room table is not ball and claw, but has the brass lion's feet on it. It has a double pedestal mount like yours.
Personally, this is my favorite piece of furniture in the house (besides the breakfront).
I'm looking at mirrored pieces myself, which is why I provided the examples above. I'd upholster the chairs in silk shantung to pick up some the "bling".
I agree with those that say the Chippendale would look better to me with other pieces of similar style.
There is something else that I hope you take into account, and that is what seems beautiful to you. It is your house and if you love a piece of another style or with distressed wood, and if you think it looks good with the Chippendale piece, why not? To me the whole point of decorating is to end up with a room or rooms that make you feel happy, and that you think look really nice.
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