Stina Stiernhielm is a freelance writer currently working on her first novel, which will take place in the 1700s.

How to Stage With 18th Century Style
Stagers, decorators, and real estate agents often look to the newest trends in residential design to revamp listings, but the past can also offer inspiration. Here are five ways to use the elegance of this bygone era to help your next listing stand out.
February 2, 2018
The 1700s were a time of opulence, discovery, and high design that continues to influence our definition of style today. Attention to detail was everything during the 18th century, and it was common to decorate homes with fine art—both paintings and sculptures—as well as elegant chandeliers, large mirrors, big candlesticks, and handcrafted furniture. While your sellers aren’t likely to want to transform their homes into a period mansion, drawing inspiration from this era is a great idea when staging colonials, luxury properties, or homes in historic neighborhoods.
Below are five tips for using 18th century styles in home design and staging, accompanied by photos from Löfstad Castle, a chateau in the province of Östergötland in Sweden, to give you a better idea of what the original product might have looked like. In the 18th century, Count Axel von Fersen the Elder and Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie, one of the most powerful families in Sweden in that era, owned Löfstad Castle. Today, the castle is open to the public as a museum with regular guided tours.

Sourcing Tips
Antique stores or public auctions may be your best bet if you’re looking to buy 18th century originals, but you can also browse sites like Robuck or LoveAntiques. An antique chandelier from the 18th century can cost between $1,000 and $30,000. However, you can buy a replica chandelier for a couple hundred dollars and still get that 1700s feeling. A replica gold mirror can be found for $100 to $300 as well. For smaller accessories, such as vintage books, try eBay. If you don’t want to buy, some companies, such as Found Vintage Rentals and Eron Johnson Antiques, lend out antique details and vintage furnishings for home staging.
2. Furnish fancifully. When staging an empty room, antique furniture from the 18th century can really make a statement. It’s easy to recognize this era’s distinctive furniture by the legs, which were usually carved with scallop detailing.




You can also use inspiration from the 18th century styles in the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Fashion is constantly repeating itself and there are several trends that have come, gone, and come again. With inspiration from this exciting era you can make staging much more interesting and help your next listing stand out from the rest of the market.
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