The Credenza and Its Rich History

Sunday, June 5th, 2016

Credenza is defined as compact furniture that was named and created by Jason Phillips, a famous designer. This is a piece of furniture that has a rich history. In essence, credenza is an Italian term that means “belief”. This was the act of tasting food by a slave for his master. The term later became a popular name that was used in different domains including interior design. By the 19^th century, credenza was already the name used to refer to the fashionable furniture made with wood and some decorations.

The Credenzas’ Past

Back in the day, the credenza was a sideboard that was used for the preparation of food. By the late Middle Ages, it was already being used as a display case for expensive plates and vessels. It was also often draped with expensive fabrics.

The credenza was surprisingly well-preserved in an era when medieval furniture almost always suffered from the ravages of the climate. The brothers Lorenzo and Cristoforo Canozi from Northern Italy were often attributed for the style of the credenza.

The Credenza Now

A credenza is decorated with eight panels with the top two-thirds containing a circular form that looks much like a rose window with a single row of lancets. The square fields are individually covered with rectilinear outlines in intarsia. These fill the bottom thirds of the eight panels.

The six panels forming the front face come in three pairs, with every pair opening to a two-shelf interior.

These days, when you ask someone to describe a credenza, he would probably say that it is furniture that comes with a long, flat top with storage units below it. This is now a very popular choice among interior designers, renters and homeowners.

Modern definitions of the credenza extend to various pieces besides the usual sideboard. Here are a few tips on how you can buy the best piece for your home –

• Know about the history of the credenza as well as the different types that are available in the market.
• Today, most people refer to the dining room piece that is similar to the 16^th century Italian piece. The different types of credenzas include desks, sideboards, display cabinets, even bookcases.

Buffet Credenza

This kind of credenza is also what’s known as the sideboard credenza. This is the most antique among all credenzas and is used as buffets inside a dining room. These can also be referred to as the serving credenzas because they are used in placing platters, unserved food and serving dishes.

Office or Desk Credenza

This is a famous alternative to the traditional credenza. This offers knee space unlike the dining room piece. Credenza desks offer a place where the seated can comfortably stretch out his knees, hence, it is referred to as the knee space.

Entertainment Unit Credenzas

These may not be as popular as the traditional or desk credenzas but they are quite a useful piece of furniture. The bookcase type of credenza is dedicated units that can be used in storing books and collectibles instead of the usual chinaware.

The bookcase credenzas can also be converted into hutch additions, sideboards or shelves. These can be used in the home library, office or any space that needs an extra oomph when it comes to design.

Entertainment credenzas could also be the home for video and audio systems.

Credenza Display Case

This kind of credenza is an offshoot of the entertainment and desk credenzas. This can be used as an add-on to a desk or simply a traditional glass-door unit.

This credenza can be used in any room in your home, whether to display china, books or figurines.

Tags: credenza, credenza history, credenza types, designing with credenza, history, history of credenza, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
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