At CHD Interiors, our passion for sourcing antique furniture for modern interiors has taken us across the globe in search of timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces. This January, our team—including Lance Griffith (Owner & Lead Designer) and his wife Patty, Designer Terri Baldwin, and our General Manager, Becca Dunn—set off on a journey through the English countryside to uncover treasures for our showrooms and clients. With over a decade of experience on these sourcing trips, our focus this year was on European furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries: think dining tables, dressers, nightstands, and elegant entryway pieces.
Our designers don’t travel aimlessly—they go with purpose. Some pieces are chosen to fill our showroom floors with styles you simply won’t find locally, while others are hand-selected to fulfill specific client requests. These selections tend to be larger-scale furnishings, and while the styles span French, Swedish, English, and Italian influences, they all share one thing: a refined, collected feel that can’t be replicated.
A Closer Look at 18th and 19th Century Antique Furniture
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Industrial Revolution had begun to influence the way furniture was made—introducing early machinery that helped meet the growing demand of the rising middle class. Furniture became more than just functional; it was a symbol of taste and status.
While much of it was still handcrafted, this era marked the beginning of more consistent and accessible production. Victorian-era pieces, in particular, were known for their grand scale and dramatic silhouettes—think bold curves, ornate carvings, and richly detailed finishes that added weight and presence to any room.
- 18th Century: Several unique furniture styles, such as Chippendale, Neoclassical, and Rococo, emerged in the 18th century. Furniture pieces from this era are highly sought after by collectors, who are drawn to these types’ elaborate detailing and intricate embellishments.
- 19th Century: Victorian furniture, which was constructed of dark woods like mahogany, walnut, and rosewood, was one of the most recognized styles of the 19th century. It was heavy and extremely decorative.
These distinctive characteristics are what make antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries so captivating—and why our team sought them out during this year’s trip. From elegant painted bureaus to intricately crafted marriage boxes, every piece we selected tells a story. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite finds from the English countryside—each one chosen for its charm, craftsmanship, and ability to bring timeless character to today’s homes.
Antique Furniture Highlights from Our Latest Sourcing Trip
This 18th-century painted bureau is a stunning example of period craftsmanship, blending practicality with elegance. Its traditional slant-front form, which measures 41″ W x 46″ T x 20″ D, opens to show a neatly arranged writing area with several cubbies, drawers, and a center cabinet. The brass hardware and dated paint finish add character, showcasing its age and history. This is a versatile piece, whereas it can function as a unique writing desk or statement storage unit, seamlessly fitting into both traditional and modern interiors.
This 1880 Swedish marriage box is a beautifully crafted example of a gift a bride would receive from her parents for the occasion of her marriage, representing prosperity and new beginnings—a common tradition in 19th-century Sweden. Measuring 43″ L x 21″ D x 27″ T, this piece is hand-painted, showcasing the original paint of the soft muted tones and a delicate floral pattern. Whether styled as an entryway piece, placed at the foot of the bed, or used as a coffee table, this marriage box can bring a cozy, rustic feel to any modern home.
This pair of originally painted French Tiles, measuring 25″ W x 30″ T, showcases intricate craftsmanship and detailing with the raised features. The distressed blue finish they have adds a touch of European charm while highlighting the antique feel of the worn-in paint. These tiles would be perfect for wall art, making a unique headboard, or used as decorative panels as an accent wall in a room. The opportunities to incorporate these unique French tiles to add an eclectic antique touch to your modern home are endless.
This French coffee table, measuring 45″ L x 27.5″ D x 21.5″ T, is both stylish and functional. The subtle carved detailing along the sides, matched with the worn-in blue paint exposing the original wood, adds character to the piece. No matter how you choose to style this table, whether it’s with additional antiques as a centerpiece or bringing in fresh flowers to brighten up the room, it’ll bring a sophisticated feel to any modern home.
This 1890 English dresser base, measuring 94″ W x 37″ T x 18.5″ D, is a stunning example of late 19th-century craftsmanship. This piece was likely used as a functional storage unit in a traditional English home. The elegant paneling and classic gold hardware give it that eclectic look that many pieces from the 19th-century showcase. This piece would be perfect as a statement storage piece in a dining room, a functional large entryway piece, a media console in a living room, or a bedroom dresser.
How to Style Antique Furniture
Blending antique furniture for modern interiors has become increasingly popular with homeowners, as it’s a great way to get creative while also exploring historical aspects of the furniture that’s going into your home. There’s something special about walking into a home that feels lived in and personal, and adding antique furniture is an easy way to blend pieces that complement each other in unexpected ways. The best part of mixing modern and antique pieces is curating a home that’s rich in character, accentuating your own personal style as well.
Styling Antiques with Modern Interior Design
There are many ways to approach styling antique furniture with modern interior design, and it all starts with finding pieces that speak to your personal style. While the process may feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve never shopped for antiques before, the results can be incredibly rewarding.
To help spark inspiration, here are a few examples of how CHD’s interior designers have styled antiques in two very different homes.
In this home, rustic antique pieces bring character and charm to a space filled with layered textures and collected accents. The aged wood and timeworn finishes reflect the homeowner’s personality and help the space feel welcoming and authentic. These antiques work in tandem with more contemporary elements to create a space that feels grounded, expressive, and intentional.
In this oceanfront home in Pawleys Island, SC, an antique sideboard was used to anchor a refined dining room, adding a quiet sense of history and balance to the otherwise polished space. With its elegant lines and softened finish, the piece enhances the room’s timeless quality without feeling heavy or out of place. It’s a perfect example of how antiques can elevate formal interiors by bringing a sense of story and depth that newer pieces can’t always replicate.
Even though the two homes express very different styles, the antique pieces in each one feel right at home—showing just how versatile these furnishings can be when styled with intention.
If you’re looking to achieve the same kind of balance in your own space, keep these key tips in mind:
- The 80/20 Rule: As a rule of thumb, try to fill 80% of your space with modern decor and furnishings, with the remaining 20% being used for vintage accents and accessories. This can help keep your space feeling fresh and curated, not outdated.
- Take Note of Textures and Patterns: Antiques have a naturally worn, lived-in texture that adds intriguing contrast with the smooth, polished metal and crisp lines popular in modern-day interior design. Pay attention to the interplay of textures in your space, and place your antiques in areas that could use a more varied look for visual interest.
- Color: At the start of your interior design process, decide on your primary, secondary, and accent colors. Think about numerous color families and tints as you weigh the different options.
While antique furniture has been around for centuries, its increasing popularity has taken on a new meaning in the interior design world—and at CHD Interiors, we’re thrilled to see the growing interest in these timeless, evergreen pieces.
Our recent trip to England brought items to our collection that capture the history and artistic expression of their times. You don’t have to travel overseas to find the beautiful antique gems we showcase—head to CHD Interiors’ antique shops in Mt. Pleasant and Murrells Inlet to explore our selection of one-of-a-kind antique furniture for modern interiors sourced from the English countryside. We’re excited to share these gems with the world and work with our clients to create historic and beautiful rooms. We can assist you in finding the items you want, whether they be specialty antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, or statement pieces to finish off your home. Contact us today to get started on your interior design journey.
