It may also be used to store or display decorative serving dishes. What is credenza furniture? This practice became known as ‘credenza’. A credenza is a cabinet-style piece of furniture that is typically used in a dining room, with no legs (or extremely short legs), complete with sliding doors that open up to storage space for dishware and other dining essentials. It sits on a steel frame plated in antique brass and this offers it a slim figure. This is a design that leaves behind the traditional concept of what a sideboard or credenza should be and focuses on the aesthetic more than anything else. It has elegant, sharp, tapered lines and polished bronze top and sides. Giencoe, for instance, is a collection that includes a really interesting buffet/ server which could more accurately be described now as a drink bar. The distinctions between these pieces which were once defining are now mere formalities, often overlooked. These new models were longer and lower cabinets designed atop slender legs. Credenza is generally used as a secondary work space in an office setting. The term sideboard is the most widely used one from the ones previously mentioned. The unique thing about it is the rust color and sculptural design. The credenza is generally used as a storage unit or sideboard in a family room in homes. Even though the terms buffets and credenzas are used interchangeably and they are often confusing to some, everyone can agree on one thing; these pieces of furniture are both attractive and functional. Typically made from wood, credenzas originally had no feet or legs. Originally, credenzas were a small, decorative piece of furniture in 14th century Italy that featured architecturally interesting columns and decorations like the one shown below (Payne, Christopher, ed. Etymologists suggest that it may refer to the fact that food was served and displayed on a credenza in the past so that the aristocrats could be assured that the host had honorable intentions. This was a ritual done before serving important people and aristocrats. However, this doesn’t alter much its functionality and the unit remains a great storage piece which can be integrated in a variety of decors and settings, including dining rooms, living spaces and even hallways or bedrooms. New York: Harper & Row. Originally, credenza furniture started as a rough table covered by a cloth. What is a credenza cabinet? For instance, you can change the hardware to modify or update the vibe. For instance, if using as a dining room furniture, the depth and height will be important factors in your decision. This stylish design by Zelouf + Bell also displays the common characteristics on a sideboard although the term credenza could describe it just as well. Credenzas can come with or without a hutch for additional storage and usually feature a variety of shelves and cubbies. Even though credenza is one of the most popular furniture pieces these days, it has no exact definition and it is often confused with other furniture items such as… servers, sideboards, or buffets, all of which share similar features. These are some of the details that differentiate them from other furniture items in the same category. Back then, the credenza had no legs. Optical illusion furniture that stands out in any décor, Furniture Arrangements That Include Square Coffee Tables, Two Hanging Beds That Take Comfort To A New Level, DIY Colorful Wooden Planters With A Geometric Shape, How To Build A Tabletop Lamp From Scrap Wood, How To Build A Side Table from A Tomato Wire Cage, Showcase 2018 Color Trends in a Simple Back Stitch Tutorial, Flamingo Door Wreath Made from a Ceiling Medallion, 50 Ways to Leave Your Old Home Decor Ideas Behind, The Best Weber Grills Will Make Summer Cooking Great – Guide and Reviews 2020, Patio Conversation Sets Can Make Your Outdoor Space More User-Friendly, What Makes A Credenza Stand Out From Other Similar Furniture Pieces, How to Style a Festive Green Table for Holiday, Agate Napkin Rings for a Holiday Dinner Table. This one has large doors made from a single board of elm wood and brass door pulls. A credenza is more likely to be a longer and lower style cabinet with no legs or very short legs and a sliding door while a buffet is more likely to stand taller on long slender legs with drawers and traditional cabinet doors. silverware, placemats, napkins, etc. The origins of the word “credenza” are quite interesting. You can even paint the cabinet to match the aesthetic of your room. The meaning of the word may seem a bit odd for a furniture item. In addition to a flat surface, a credenza may contain cabinets, shelves, drawers, and filing area. (1989). Credenza cabinets are available in a wide variety of styles and designs. Initially, a credenza used to be a furniture piece on which food that needed to be tested for poison was kept. At the same time, several other terms could be unit to describe this piece. No techie or spec stuff just does it do what we need it do.