Features, Home Decor

Out with the Old

How antiques are becoming the face of interior design…again

By Dara D’Onofrio

Out with the old and in with the new. It seems this tried and true statement is no longer what people are living by. Here, at such a pivotal crossroads in history, people are deciding what is most important to them, choosing what they want in their surroundings and for the most part, making significant changes.

Charlotte Swank, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, was at that very crossroads when she made the move from a 3,000 sq. ft. home in PGA National to a 5,000 sq. ft. manse in Bay Village—a quaint and very chic neighborhood set in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens. Swank fell in love with the home the moment she saw it. In fact, just a few hours after seeing it with her realtor, she and her husband decided they had to have it.

Swank had tried working alongside interior decorators previously and found the process far too impersonal. When moving into her new digs, there was only one expert fit for the task ahead—Elena Johnson of True Treasures.

“Really what it boils down to, after almost 30 years in the design field, I saw the need from many clients to dispose of older items,” said Johnson of how True Treasures was born. “It’s a way of recycling,” she continues. “A lot of people come in thinking we are just an antique shop, and don’t realize we do consignment. Many come in to bring old items and find something new.”

The three-store antique haven known as True Treasures has been collecting the most exquisite and unusual antiques since 1991. One store is located in Crystal Tree Plaza in North Palm Beach, while the other store and an outlet (the area’s best kept secret) can be found on Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. For those seeking recycled nostalgia, this place is heaven—a treasure trove of the best consignments, antiques and collectibles from consigners, private estate collections and importers. Among notable pieces at True Treasures are fine bamboo tables by McGuire (these are the “Cadillac of tables” according to Johnson). Here, you can also find a myriad of fine porcelain and china sets from Asia.

Stores like True Treasures have become trusted havens for those seeking original pieces with a history—and a pretty price tag, too. Just as many people flock to the sale racks in department stores, this saving phenomenon hasspread far and wide and is becoming a trend for those seeking a new ambiance in their homes. “Some of it has to do with the economy, but a lot of it is that people see what is available in shops like ours, and people are very educated by media and magazines,” says Johnson. “They see what beautiful items we have here.”

One of the best parts about incorporating antiques into your already existing dŽcor is that you don’t have to part with the beloved items from your past. This appealed to Swank who has been antiquing for over 50 years and has consequently collected some astounding items in her life and travels. “She lived in Houston for a long time and she did not want to part with her past and the things she grew up with,” notes Johnson.

It is the eclectic mixture of old and new that makes the Swank residence so exceptional.

While every room in the house exudes luxury in its own way, it is the “toile room” that’s regarded as a favorite by both Johnson and Swank. Upon seeing the room, it becomes clear why. Named the toile room for the beautiful black and white toile wallpaper, the walls are adorned with lavish paintings—among them a striking portrait of Marie Antoinette that she purchased from Johnson’s boutique. Swank’s inspiration for the toile room came to her and she simply couldn’t shake the idea. “I think from looking through magazines: Antiques, Architectural Digest, Art Connoisseur, Southern Accents and Veranda. I just decided I loved toile. She [Elena] took me to a decorating place in Dania Beach and we didn’t find anything. But we both kept an eye out,” she said. When they came back to compare materials, they had both chosen the same beautiful toile—proof of how in synch they are on their vision for a room.

The room looks reminiscent of 18th century France during the reign of Marie Antoinette—the gilded picture frames, towering bookcase in moss green with gold edges and a small but cozy day bed, adorned with detailed drawings that she purchased in the quaint town of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Her love of Country French treasures carries throughout the home. In the kitchen, she tells me about her quest to find the perfect Pannier “There is no question about it. She knows what she likes and she likes to live/surrender by the things that she likes,” says Johnson. “Every little thing that you can think of—Charlotte has it.” Years ago, on a trip to New Orleans, Swank came across a Provencial spooled bread-holder that she thought was exquisite, but the price tag of $6,000 seemed steep. Deciding that she would get better quality and price in Provence, she embarked on a trip to the South of France. Four months later, as Swank was in Elena’s shop she found a very similar item—a Pannier, for a fraction of what she had invested in it.

“I think the point is, that if you wait long enough, it will come through her doors. You have to be patient,” says Swank. “Some people want to do a room in a week, and that’s not the way I’ve ever done a room. You don’t get pieces you love that way. For some people, it’s not important. They just want a pretty room.” While aesthetics are important when antiquing, it’s quality and history that often override superficial details. A rich history can be enough to make something beautiful in the owner’s eyes.

Her family room is full of sentimental items, both purchased at Elena’s store and overseas. Swank also shows extreme admiration for Asian furnishings and accessories. Her love of this style bloomed while her late husband, an importer of tools from Asia, was working overseas. They spent quite a bit of time in China and collected notable items that were thousands of years old. One example, is a statue of a horse dating to 220 A.D..

From Golden Koi fish bookends and sewing trunks with Asian motifs found at True Treasures, to sculptures and artifacts from China, this room is where East meets the West at the Swank residence. “My husband was going to the interior of China, and I wanted a tacky little Buddha statue. He comes back with an item that has been excavated! It’s an antiquity!” she exclaims. This aforementioned statue of a woman dates back to 906 A.D.

Like any true collector, Swank has amassed an impressive collection of artwork throughout the years. “Elena called me one day and said I’ve got a painting for you and I don’t want you to fall to the floor when you see it,” recalls Swank. “It was purchased in Paris. It still had its labels and all of its cobwebs.” This painting by Georges Rouault resembles a Picasso, adding a decidedly modern flair to her traditional residence. While apprehensive of its modern style over time it became a beloved piece.

The only pitfall to collecting antiques—not having enough room to store all of the wonderful pieces. “I’m retired,” Swank says jokingly, when asked if she will continue to collect. Swank’s storage areas are filled to maximum capacity, holding collections of detailed tins from all over the world, as well as trinkets and valuable figurines which she moves from room to room to keep the atmosphere interesting.

True Treasures has such an eclectic mixture of stock (receiving new shipments in daily), it’s nearly impossible not to find something customers will fall in love with. “We have so many items coming in, that if you come in often enough you will find your treasure.” V