The History of the Sofa The sofa has many names: couch, settee, canapé. Whatever you call it, it has become synonymous with comfort, leisure, and home. But when they first came about, sofas were not the cushioned furniture we’re familiar with today. Like the chair, the sofa tells a lot about humans and our quest […]
The Armoire Through History Armoire, wardrobe, chest of drawers — whatever you call it, the dresser is a staple in homes around the world. Armoire stems from the late-12th century Old French word armarie. That originated from the Latin word armarium, or a place to store things. 14th-century England used the term Ambry for a storeroom, […]
A History of Antique Chairs Chairs are everywhere: around the kitchen table, at your desk, in front of the TV, and nearly everywhere else. And there are just as many types of chairs as there are reasons to use them. Humans have used chairs almost as long as we first evolved. The first seats were […]
Art Deco Furniture & Design in America As an early international style, Art Deco became the predominant design of choice for most of the world. Art Deco furniture developed unique characteristics across countries but still shared similarities. From the start, no one knew what to call it. People referred to it as Moderne, Jazz Moderne, […]
History of Art Nouveau in America From 1890 to 1910, Art Nouveau flourished across Europe. It embodied a spectrum of styles and had many names (i.e., the Glasgow Style in Scotland and Jugendstil in Germany). While it varied stylistically from country to country, the movement itself maintained the same core beliefs. Primarily, it strived to […]
Art Nouveau in Vienna Art Nouveau in Vienna, Austria, emerged right as this style took shape in Paris (around 1890-1905). These cities established this style’s influence across Europe, laying the foundation for modern art. The city is famous for its exemplary Art Nouveau architecture, which flourished under architects Otto Wagner, Gustav Klimt, and many others. […]
Art Deco Style Furniture History It’s been 100 years since this style emerged, but Art Deco style furniture remains a favorite for many. Now that the 2020s are here, it’s time to look at one of the most influential modern styles. Before World War I, a new style of visual and decorative art emerged in […]
French Art Nouveau Furniture History (1889-1925) The Art Nouveau style emerged in Paris, though some attribute its origins to Wagner in Vienna. Some experts state this period lasted from 1878 to 1905, while others mark it from 1889 to 1925. Art Nouveau became a massively popular style across most of Europe and the United States […]
The Second Empire Style The Second Empire style, which lasted from 1848-1880, is also known as the Napoleon III Style. Typified by its eclectic characteristics in architecture and decorative arts, it flourished under the reign of Napoleon III (1808-1873). It left a substantial on both, Europe and the United States. This period incorporated numerous elements […]
Louis Philippe Style Furniture Louis Philippe ruled France between 1830 and 1848. This style became fashionable during his reign, eventually getting its name from the monarch. Louis Philippe pieces remain highly sought-after and stylish items. Its characteristics reflect the 19th century French design called rococo revival. In the years following the French Revolution, former aristocrats […]