| If the appearance and styles of tools and materials | | | | storage space. The flat surface usually serves as an |
| have gradually changed and evolved over the years, | | | | area where food can be prepared, displayed and |
| so did the terms that were used to refer to such. In | | | | served. Most buffets and sideboards also have |
| the case of antique furniture, much of the terms that | | | | display shelves and mirrors. |
| were used in the early ages are no longer used in | | | | Classic Closets: The Armoires and the Wardrobes |
| today's everyday language. As such, many find it | | | | Both appear to be huge closets or cabinets that add |
| hard to understand the usual furniture terms that | | | | storage capacity for clothing. The main difference |
| seemed so common decades before. | | | | between the two furniture pieces lies in their original |
| However, if one needs to purchase antique furniture, | | | | purposes or functions. |
| it is therefore essential for him to be aware of the | | | | Basically, the armoires refer to those free standing |
| common terms that are used in the antique trade | | | | closets where armor is stored. Such were invented |
| and industry. Some of which are as follows: | | | | during the medieval times when war was almost an |
| Chests of Drawers: The Highboy and the Chiffonier | | | | everyday routine. As for the wardrobe, it was |
| Both are actually forms of drawers that differ in | | | | basically designed to store clothes and other little |
| length and appearance. The Highboys are those high | | | | personal tools. |
| chests of drawers which are higher than wide. Such | | | | Aside from the functionalities, most armoires appear |
| also have bases which are legged. | | | | to have more well decorated features than |
| In the case of the Chiffoniers, these are chests of | | | | wardrobes. Wardrobes also have more streamlined |
| drawers that are also high but definitely narrower | | | | and more modern designs than those that appear on |
| than Highboys. Chiffoniers do not have legged bases | | | | armoires. |
| and there is usually a swivel mirror that is attached | | | | The Hybrid Cabinet: Chifforobe |
| on its top drawer. Such types of storage antique | | | | Chifforobes are considered as the prime example of |
| furniture were highly popular during the colonial | | | | furniture that has storage spaces but will fit small |
| periods where house designs and styles had little | | | | bedroom during the medieval times. Such pieces of |
| closet spaces. | | | | furniture offer a combination of the features and the |
| Dish Storage: The Buffet and the Sideboard | | | | functionalities of the chiffonier and the wardrobe. A |
| Both refer to storage furniture which you can usually | | | | chifforobe is basically a two-door furniture item that |
| find in the home's dining area or kitchen. They are | | | | contains a closet and a chest of drawers. |
| usually used to keep pieces of dishes and serving | | | | Usually, the right door of the furniture opens a |
| utensils. | | | | cabinet where clothes can be hanged while the left |
| Apparently, the buffet is only smaller than the | | | | door opens a chest of drawers where folded clothes |
| sideboard, but both basically have the same function | | | | or other personal belongings can be stored. Some |
| and appearance. They have drawers were the dishes | | | | chifforobes also have swivel mirrors on the flat |
| can be stored, as well as a flat surface above the | | | | surface of its top drawer. |