Solid Marble Sink Molded Basin

There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.

Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.

Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.

Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.

Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.

Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.

Adding antique and vintage fountains to your home and garden is a great way to accentuate your interiors or landscape design as well as reap the benefits of the calming sound of flowing water.

The design of your outdoor fountain — or the indoor fountain you’ve introduced to your parlor — is going to determine how the water flows into its basin. Whether your new addition is a simple bowl-shaped design, an elaborate wall-mounted Art Deco fountain or a classical tiered tower boasting decoratively carved floral motifs, this will determine the movement of the feature’s water as well as the sounds it makes. If you’re looking to ensure that there is steadily bubbling water, a slow trickle, a waterfall or cascading sheets of water, you’ll want to think about the architecture of your fountain.

Interior and exterior fountains are made from a variety of materials. Cast concrete lends a classical look to your outdoor fountain. Limestone, a component of concrete, is a dense rock with a creamy white finish that calls to mind classical sculptures. If you’ve already adorned your garden or patio and firepit area with Roman statues, this will feel cohesive in your outdoor space. While limestone fountains are low maintenance, these features will require upkeep. A limestone fountain will need to be cleaned out and undergo a water change on occasion — at least every two to four months — in order to prevent algae growth as well as the smell that might accompany it.

Glazed ceramic fountains, which also warrant regular cleaning to reduce buildup of debris and mineral deposits, will add a splash of color to your garden or entryway. A Spanish or Italian fountain adorned with vibrant ornamental tiles will pop against your shrubbery and concrete planters. Lightweight options for outdoor fountains can be found in fiberglass and cast iron if stone seems too heavy for your taste.

By the 19th century, Victorians realized there were health benefits to fountains. The sound of running water can help create a harmonious and soothing environment in your well-appointed outdoor oasis or inviting foyer, and today, we could all use a little relaxation.

It’s time to harness the calming properties of gently flowing water. You will love the serenity that a vintage, new or antique fountain from 1stDibs can add to your home and garden.