Crate & Barrel, Meet Louis XIV

– By Whitney Clark –

Modern furniture has been very much in style for quite some time now. There is a lot of pleasure in the serene view of clean lines, simple color schemes, no clutter. Extra-long dining room tables, iconic 50s chairs, stainless steel appliances, colorful modern art and soft, flat leather sofas evoke an era of stunning modern design. But add one or two antique touches, and you can increase the power of personalized taste.

One worn leather chair, a kilim rug under the glass table, a cut-glass vase full of grasses, a few leather-bound books or an old silver punch bowl full of lemons — all will conspire to make an individual statement and give a certain atmosphere to a room.

A row of antique crystal decanters catches the light on a modern table. The wood of an exquisite old mahogany sideboard glows from a white wall, adding luster and warmth to a modern dining room. A marble bust, a rusty urn filled with ferns, an old chandelier or a large gilt mirror makes a plain room come alive with extra depth.

Collections of anything old will especially stand out in a modern room. Old silver candlesticks massed together, porcelain or Chinese foo dogs, ivory-handled walking sticks, silver boxes or rustic wooden framed bird prints make a personal interest compelling. Old Wedgwood plates on a modern table will pique the diners' appetites, especially with the addition of early Steuben goblets standing next to them.

Modern bedrooms with antique lamps or chandeliers seem to have an extra zip or flair. An old French chaise lounge or Victorian wicker rocker makes a pretty place to throw clothes. A pine chest at the end of a stark white bed is practical, simple and good-looking. The warmth of wood is always an improvement to a room of white walls, glass tables and modern art.

Of course, many antique and decorative items are available from your mom, eBay and antique stores. We are lucky in Rye to have the thriving, busy Twig Shop on Purchase Street, where some of the items mentioned above are currently for sale. Manned by charming volunteers, the Twig Shop now raises money for the Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS.

Converting the sale of Queen Anne dining chairs or a Heppelwhite sideboard into lifesaving emergency services has a worthy and appealing side to it. Whether you collect antique oyster plates, need a great old English chest of drawers or want a lamp, vase or 19th-century oil painting, you will be a virtuous shopper when you visit Rye's own Twig Shop.