Don’t be scared. Antiques bring presence, even grandeur, to any room.

Approach antiques with a designer’s eye, picking out items that are beautiful and using them decoratively rather than obsessively.

Lash out on something big. Even if you live somewhere small. A huge commode, bookcase, amoire, or mirror will make the space appear bigger – and add instant architectural weight.

Have a mix. Something old, something new. Something French, something English. Even something bad taste. A touch of kitsch often helps, because it makes a room individual.

Seek out English antiques right now. They are great value because the fashion has shifted to retro, and twentieth-century classics.

Don’t fill your rooms with antiques. It can make you look like a museum-keeper. Antiques mix and match with everything: one or two pieces go a long way.

Don’t put things in glass boxes. You’re a homemaker, not a curator.

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