Our furniture favorites

Southern Living, Spring 2002 by Hamilton, Julie

When planning a major purchase, consider versatile pieces with plenty of potential for long-term use.

Once you've acquired a sofa, bed, and table and chairs, you've solved the basic questions of where to sit, sleep, and dine. Whether your next purchase is antique, contemporary, or something in between, consider a piece that will be useful in a multitude of ways, regardless of where you will live in the future. Collecting furniture is similar to building a wardrobe of clothing. First, acquire basic pieces, then change them with accessories suitable for the occasion, and you'll be prepared for most situations.

Suggested Pieces

Secretary-Combining the desirable features of drawers for storage, shelves for display, and a small yet practical work surface that can be closed away, a secretary is the ideal home office. It enables you to set up a compact work area in a family room or bedroom, and there's even a surface large enough for a laptop computer. Because a secretary is so tall, it always makes a dramatic addition to a room. Line the back with fabric that coordinates with the draperies or upholstery in the room, or have a mirror cut to fit behind the shelves at the top. For an interesting change of pace, remove one or two of the shelves, and hang a small painting from the wooden back of the piece. Placing a small lamp on a shelf adds an unusual accent light to a room. Many secretaries feature glass doors that are highly decorative. When there is enough wallspace, you can even leave the doors open to emphasize patterns in the glass.

Chest of Drawers-Virtually any room can accommodate a chest of drawers that has simple, classic lines. It can hold clothing in a bedroom or table linens in the dining room. You can accessorize the top with lamps and other suitable items. A taller height-- approximately 38 to 40 inches-lends itself to use in more formal areas of the home.

Sideboard-The sideboard is usually a formal piece often used for serving food as well as displaying china, silver, or other dining accessories. In addition to antiques and newly made pieces, consider purchasing a sideboard manufactured in the 1930s or 1940s, when many attractive reproductions of classic styles were on the market. These often are found at estate sales and consignment shops. The typical location of a sideboard is on the longest wall in the dining room. Placing it on that wall lets you create a dramatic focal point by accenting the piece with lamps and a painting or mirror. JULIA HAMILTON

OTHER PIECES TO CONSIDER

* Armoire-Originally used for storage of clothing, today's armoires often house TV and stereo equipment. As with any furniture purchase, especially a sizable piece, measure carefully to be sure there's sufficient wallspace, as well as enough room inside the piece to accommodate the items to be stored. Don't forget to check unfinished furniture stores; they often carry simple armoires that can be easily painted or stained.

* Iron-and-glass coffee table-A contemporary accent piece, such as a low metal table, offers the up-- to-date touch that many rooms need. Just be sure there will be adequate floorspace around the table once it is in place.

* Wooden armchair-This type of chair customarily serves as host/hostess ones in the dining room, but they have many other uses. Place a single chair at a desk, or use a pair to flank a sofa. Choose upholstery fabric that complements your decor, and you can slip the chair into any room where you need an extra seat.