man’s home is his castle… reads an oft-quoted American Proverb.  What a better way to achieve that end than the act of incorporating timeless and unique architectural antiques from European châteaux, castles and stately manoirs as we design, build or remodel our homes?

For centuries many lavish manoirs were conceived as timeless by incorporating architectural antiques into the building process.  If you have been fortunate enough to spend time in these historic gems ~ such as the Biltmore Castle and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston ~ you will emerge impressed by such amazing structures.   As I visited these and many other historic homes I always came away with a lingering, edifying memory of the experience.   What reverence these builders had for architectural antiques even a century ago!  Even then they realized the importance of incorporating antiques into what was at the time “modern” architecture.

Inessa Stewart’s Antiques & Interiors headquarters

We all know antique furniture brings an instant charm and style to a room, and in the same way architectural antiques evoke instant grandeur, romance or quaintness ~ depending on which style you choose.  If you choose an Italian Renaissance fireplace surround, you can easily build upon it using Italian Renaissance antiques throughout the room to reflect that grand and timeless period.  If it’s romance you crave, choosing a Regence Cararra marble mantel will bring the impressive elegance and romance of the Bourbon Kings that are most famous for its intrinsic French antique style.

Antique French Renaissance carved fireplace mantel surround sculpted from solid French white oak

Antique French Regence fireplace mantel surround hand-carved from solid Carrara marble

Hand-carved from dense, old-growth French white oak, this antique Louis XIV style rail will add the perfect accent to your room.

Architectural antiques make it easy to create one-of-a-kind designs even in a modern interior, and they are the secret ingredient of many top interior designers and architects.  We have been privileged to work this many of them, and have been honored to supply amazing antiques and relics for many modern-day chateaux and manoirs.

Antique Italian Renaissance garden in full bloom

Being born and raised in one of the great cities of Europe, I was used to being surrounded by amazing gems of architecture.  Gorgeous buildings, museums and villas surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens are the norm, so I became accustomed to this environment that charmed and inspired me in my youth.  Reflections of my childhood have continued to influence me throughout my life, so as we started our antique business, architectural antiques became a large part of it.  Most people do not realize that the châteaux that appears at the top of our website’s homepage is our actual headquarters and flagship showroom in Baton Rouge.  It is a modern structure in every way but appearance ~ totally achieved with the incorporation of a decades-old collection of architectural antiques.  We are about to embark on our next project soon, a second building on the same property.  In coming months we will keep you informed on our project with exciting building updates.

A monumental pair of antique French doors found in northern France will be used to grace the main entrance to our second building on our property at our headquarters in Baton Rouge

A famous Roman orator and philosopher who helped introduce Rome to the even more ancient art, architecture and philosophy of Greece, wrote in the first century B.C. ~ “History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time, it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings tidings of antiquity”.

May we take this to heart, and use the best of our past to enrich and illuminate our future!