Incollect Magazine - Issue 13

Incollect Magazine 81 This sofa is rare and special because it is a signed piece from a master craftsman, Johan Lindgren. The paper seal from the Stockholm Chairmaker’s Guild remains on the frame. This sofa displays the classic clean lines of the Gustavian period, along with some of the distinctive carved decorations such as rosettes and tapered and fluted legs. From Maison & Co. on Incollect.com, photo: Aaron Patton Shape and detail, such as the barrel back and the griffin, are iconic Gustavian style motifs, and nod to the neoclassical aesthetic. In original paint. From Maison & Co. on Incollect.com, photo: Aaron Patton furniture fits just as beautifully and appropriately in a modern space as it does in a more traditional home.” Several of his pieces of inventory on Incollect reveal why the Gustavian style continues to have widespread appeal. “The black painted Gustavian pieces are now incredibly popular with interior designers,” he says. “They are both classical and cool; that deep finish against a pale interior gives off a bold, modern, and architectural presence. The early 19th-century painted commodes or consoles show the beauty of time itself, with their layers of chalky whites and soft greys showing traces of the original pigment and the intricate handwork beneath.” Gustavian furniture tends to be symmetrical, well- proportioned, and elegantly casual — appealing qualities for contemporary homes. “The sofas carry delicate carved details along the rails and arms, and when reupholstered, are functional and comfortable,” Adams says. Other popular designs include the Gustavian secretaries, with their hidden drawers and worn paint. “These are especially loved,” Adams says, “functional, beautiful, and so full of character,” he says. The carved Mora clocks, each one unique, are also a popular accessory. Margaret Schwartz, from Modern Antiquarian located at The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center, reiterates the versatility of the style. She describes Gustavian style as “the chameleon” of the antiques trade. “Designers and clients are drawn to its soft, chalky hues ranging from greys to washed whites, honest patina, and formal simplicity — qualities always in style,” she says. “It feels timeless, and yet fresh. The look is airy, approachable, and inherently chic.” Schwartz has experienced renewed interest in Gustavian pieces. “Clients love that a Gustavian chest or buffet brings history, depth, and soul to a room without overwhelming it,” she says. Among her favorite pieces available now on Incollect are a late 19th-century Gustavian-style buffet, which, she says, stands out for its exquisite balance of elegance and utility. “Its pale gray finish, graceful lines, and delicate gallery detail embody the simplified refinement of 19th-century Gustavian style. The thoughtful combination of drawers, cabinet storage, and display shelf makes it practical and beautiful.” One of Schwartz’s finest pieces is a late 18th-century Swedish secretary. “I love its faded historic and blue-painted finishing, evoking the serene high elegance of the Gustavian aesthetic,” Schwartz says. “The fold-down desk, flanked by an array of pigeon-hole cubbies and finished with a brass lion escutcheon drawer, opens to reveal shelving behind carved cabinet doors. It combines storage practicality with refined craftsmanship.” Like Schwartz, Mary Tindukasiri from MJH Design Arts, in Pasadena, California, leans towards more informal Gustavian pieces, ones that retain their original painted surfaces or have been scraped down to their base, the kind of ‘distressed’ look that is