Antique French Furniture in Classic Newberry Mansion

Today I have some photos of antique French furniture and Mechelen buffets that are a real treat to see in our customer Tamra's classic but eclectic home. The outside of her Greco-Roman mansion in Newberry, SC, is gorgeous too!

You may think the dining room looks a little familiar as this home used to be owned by our good customers, Roger and Peggy. S. They recently sold their elegant 1890s home, built when Newberry was a booming textile mill town at the turn of the century, to a wonderful new caretaker - Tamra!

Roger and Peggy left the French Country sideboard in place in the dining room because it fit so well on that wall under the stained glass windows and they didn't have a spot large enough for it in their new home. Tamra chose a 1930s French Country Louis XV refectory table in walnut which is super-useful as it extends to 9.5 feet long - great for a dinner party! She also bought two sets of Hunting chairs dating to the 1880s in slightly different color oak finishes in order to mix things up.

Tamra also had her eye on an antique Hunting Buffet for the dining room. The original glass had been damaged on this handsome oak heavily carved Hunting Buffet dating to 1880, so we had replaced it with chicken wire to give a slightly rustic feel to the piece.

It works great in Tamra's new dining room as there is an interesting juxtaposition of formality with the classic fireplace mantel, moldings, and crystal chandelier and the touch of rustic country with the less formal French Country pieces mixed with the chicken wire in the Hunting buffet.

This close-up of the antique French Hunting buffet shows more detail of the carved oak and the heraldic crest. There's plenty of space for Tamra to store all the dishes and stemware and silver that she'll need to feed everyone gathered around the large table!

Tamra also fell in love with another heavily carved Hunting Buffet for the hallway at the base of her stairs.

Tamra has a wonderful eclectic touch and paired antique Chinese arm chairs from her husband's travels next to the antique French buffet. The flamboyant carvings on the oak buffet portray mythical griffins, oak leaves, fruits, and birds (right down to their feathery details!) The 1880 French buffet boasts its original wavy glass doors.

As we were delivering Tamra's furniture, she pointed out that she was still looking for a pair of interesting pieces to go on either side of the huge front door in the front hall. I knew exactly what would fit the bill! I recommended a matched pair of narrow antique Mechelen buffets which still have their original stained glass even though they are a century old.

This shot of the stained glass shows just how intricate it is, surrounded by oak carvings. The Flemish Mechelen style was a Belgian interpretation of the French Hunting style, so I knew these pieces would work well with the other antique furniture Tamra bought from us.

Here is one buffet in place. The stained glass catches the light beautifully as it streams through the sidelights on either side of the massive front door.
And this is the pair of Mechelen buffets creating a magnificent entrance. The lovely dining room and the whole house is a reflection of Tamra herself - very classy yet down-to-earth and fun! Welcome to Newberry, Tamra - we're glad you're here!