Antique Buffet at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Mary Ann H. contacted me to help her find an exceptional and impressive antique buffet for the lobby of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, MA. It's one of the largest evangelical seminaries in North America and a donor had graciously given funds to decorate the lobby. We looked at all the antique buffets and sideboards in our gallery, and recommended this gorgeous Henry II Renaissance-style buffet dating to 1900. The French buffet is a stately nine feet tall, carved in walnut with a wonderful, warm patina. The antique buffet boasts elaborately carved details including coats of arms, urns and floral accents on the doors and pediment. Scroll cut railings, fluted posts, and pine cone finials add to the buffet's majesty. The carved head of a Renaissance courtier smiles down above the glass-front center door. Thanks to its height and substance, the antique buffet stands proud to fill even the largest space. It was the perfect choice for a classic and dignified lobby area!

Here is the antique buffet in its new Boston home. It does indeed look stunning filled with bound books and decorated with transferware plates! On the day of the ribbon-cutting ceremony with the generous donor who made the new lobby space possible, Mary Ann wrote to thank us for our help. "As you can see, it adds so much charm and architectural interest to a lobby with little visual interest and no external windows," said Mary Ann. "We are thrilled with the results!" We were thrilled too when Mary Ann added: "You find such beautiful items on your forays across France. It was a pleasure working with you and seeing how committed you are to customer service. Thanks again so much for your care and professionalism. I'm sure it is this approach which has won you many loyal customers." On the other side of the room, Mary Ann placed a classic Chesterfield sofa with traditional upholstered chairs. She also added an interesting barley twist console table over an Oriental rug with soft, muted colors. The whole interior design of the lobby is elegant and inviting. We are delighted that the more than 100-year-old antique buffet found such a beautiful and inspiring place to spend its next century!