These Vintage Pieces In Atlanta Homes Show Just How Long Pennsylvania Style Lasts
When you walk into certain Atlanta homes, you might spot furniture pieces with a distinctive charm that seems to defy time itself. These treasures aren’t just any antiques – they’re examples of Pennsylvania style that have found their way south and settled in beautifully.
Pennsylvania craftsmanship, known for its durability and timeless appeal, continues to enhance Southern interiors decades after these pieces were created.
1. Handcrafted Shaker Cabinets
I spotted these gems in a renovated Buckhead estate last month, and couldn’t believe they weren’t custom-built for the space. The clean lines and perfect proportions were hallmarks of Pennsylvania Shaker craftsmanship from the 1850s.
Many Atlanta homeowners incorporate these cabinets into modern kitchens, creating a fascinating blend of old and new. The sturdy construction has survived multiple generations, with only the hardware needing occasional updates.
2. Windsor Chairs Around Southern Tables
Nothing captures the marriage of Northern craftsmanship and Southern hospitality quite like Pennsylvania Windsor chairs surrounding a Georgia peach wood dining table. The spindle-backed beauties I’ve seen in Druid Hills dining rooms often date back to the 1920s.
Originally brought south during post-war migrations, these chairs have outlasted countless trendy furniture pieces. Their bentwood techniques create surprisingly comfortable seating that suits both formal dinners and casual family gatherings.
3. Amish Blanket Chests
Recently at an Inman Park home tour, a cedar-lined blanket chest caught my eye immediately. The homeowner explained her grandmother brought it from Lancaster County in the 1940s.
These chests feature dovetail joints that remain perfectly tight after decades of use. Often placed at the foot of beds or in hallways, they serve both decorative and practical purposes in Atlanta homes. The aromatic cedar interiors still protect linens while the exteriors develop that coveted patina only genuine age can create.
4. Keystone State Dry Sinks
Originally designed for washing up in the days before indoor plumbing, these charming pieces now serve as statement bars or entryway consoles in Virginia Highland bungalows. The one I admired in my friend’s renovated Craftsman had been in her husband’s family for four generations.
Most feature a recessed top area that once held a washbasin but now cleverly displays cocktail ingredients or mail. The lower cabinets, designed to hide chamber pots, now store barware or entry essentials while maintaining their Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired painted details.
5. Quaker-Inspired Rocking Chairs
On wraparound porches throughout Midtown, these iconic chairs blend seamlessly with Southern porch culture. The gentle curves and perfect balance come from Pennsylvania Quaker design principles that prioritized comfort without excessive ornamentation.
Atlanta’s humid climate hasn’t damaged these heirloom pieces, thanks to the careful selection of hardwoods by their original craftsmen. Many rockers show slight wear on their arms – evidence of generations of elbows and hands enjoying sunset views. The simple spindle backs provide surprising lumbar support that modern reproductions rarely match.
