Buy and care for French antiques with confidence

The distinctive French country style can only be achieved through a skillful mix of old and new. True French country homes are never furnished entirely in the latest trend. Instead, they come together over the years, composed of a combination of family hand-me- downs, purchases from favourite stores, and a generous dose of time-honored furniture and accessories. 

Today, these older elements are often vintage rather than antique – mixing mid-Century furniture with contemporary décor has become extremely popular in recent years – and the effect is both highly personal and incredibly pleasing.

So, what continues to draw us to antique furniture? Patina is the first word that comes to mind. A richly polished wood finish or a beautifully faded painted piece brings much more character to a room than any new item could ever hope to convey.

Quality and resistance are additional winning factors. A table or bed- head crafted more than a hundred years ago has already proven it can stand the test of time. There is so much pleasure in giving it a new home and allowing it to set the tone in a different setting.

Furniture passed down from generation to generation can provide special enjoyment, since it is imbued with family history, but pieces from an antique or brocante dealer often come with their own story, too.

Buying your own pieces also allows you to explore the vast range of antique furniture on offer – what delights one person may leave another cold. In any case, it is always a good idea to brush up on some defining features before hitting the market.

Moreover, despite growing efforts to protect architectural heritage, there are still moments when a property is refurbished with little regard for its original features, and the existing parquet floors, paving stones, and even wooden paneling for entire rooms can end up on the antique market.

Yet not all salvage is born of neglect. In many ways, it is a poetic form of preservation. While some old homes are dismantled, others are simply beyond repair, but their parts can be rescued, reused by respectful renovators, or reimagined in new settings.

A former pair of window shutters might be used indoors as closet doors in a guest room. Old tiles can be reinstalled in small spaces like powder rooms or entryways, making a strong design statement. 

What a collector should look for

Good quality antique furniture should last a lifetime – and beyond – so it’s important to consider your purchases carefully, only buying pieces that really speak to you.

Try to imagine where they will feel at home in your space, what function they will serve, and whether they meet your current needs. When shopping at a dealer’s store, bring photos and measurements of your space – dealers can often offer helpful, unexpected insights.

Although surfaces can be reupholstered and cushions can be refilled, always take the time to test joints, by gently rocking them to see if they move. Repairing a joint can sometimes prove to be a larger and more costly challenge than anticipated.

Pay special attention to the condition of wicker seating or rattan-backed chairs. If there are any sagging or broken stems in the wicker, the repairs should be undertaken by a professional. In France, such artisans are easy to find, but that may not be the case once a piece has been shipped elsewhere.

Furniture with woodworm should always be avoided. Not only does it seriously weaken the furniture, it can spread to other pieces in your home. If woodworm is discovered while shipping, it may be refused at customs and incur a hefty charge for destruction.

Wood veneer is not necessarily a sign of a more recent piece, or of lower quality. In the 18th Century, a lot of finely crafted marquetry was created using wood veneer sections to create a pattern. While beautiful, it can be prone to lifting and cracking, often because the furniture has been kept in damp conditions. Veneer can be successfully repaired, but it is a job for an expert and raises the overall price of your purchase.

Sometimes, a piece of furniture may look surprisingly modern. There are “fashions” in home furnishings, and antiques are no exception.

For centuries it was normal to buy armoires; they were typically one of a young bride’s first pieces of furniture, used to store her linens and monogrammed sheets.

Today, homes are used and decorated differently, and those same armoires are to be found lining the walls of many antique dealers’ storage areas.

Originally and traditionally made of solid walnut, cherry, or oak, they often undergo transfor- mations as dealers try to follow trends, with paint finishes or even sand-blasting techniques used to transform the unwanted polishes. 

Caring for antique furniture

Antique furniture should improve with age, but this only holds true when pieces are well looked after. Wood, leather, and upholstery are all sensitive to their environment, and prevention of harm is always better than cure.

One of the easiest ways to damage antique wood is to place it in the wrong spot. Sunlight, heat, and damp are the three main culprits. Too much direct sun will fade and dry out the finish, while heat from radiators or fireplaces causes wood to expand and crack. Moisture, on the other hand, can make joints swell or veneer peel away.

Aim for somewhere with a consistent temperature and decent ventilation – nothing too hot, too cold, or too humid. If the heating is on in winter, keep it low overnight to avoid sudden temperature drops. If you need to store a piece for a while, avoid basements or attics; these rarely have steady conditions. If – in spite of all your precautions – your furniture does start to warp or split, try to catch the problem early. Seeking prompt advice from a professional restorer can help to prevent minor damage from escalating into something costly or irreparable.

Dust furniture regularly with a soft, dry cloth (avoid damp cloths or modern spray products, which can degrade old finishes). Once or twice a year, polish wood with natural beeswax or a specialist antique wax. Apply with one cloth, then buff using another clean, dry one. For faded wood, a colored wax can help restore a more uniform tone, but always test new products on a discreet patch first, just in case the finish doesn’t react well. If you suddenly notice tiny holes in your furniture, you might be dealing with an insect infestation. It’s best to act quickly: contact a professional restorer right away to prevent the issue spreading to other pieces. 

The Art of Antiquing in France: Flea Markets - Brocantes - Antique Shops by Sharon Santoni (Flammarion 2026).