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 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 […]
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 […]
Restoration Furniture in France From 1814-1830, French Restoration furniture rose in popularity, replacing the previous Empire style. During this period of French history, also known as the Bourbon Restoration period, Neoclassic-inspired designs with elements of budding romanticism persisted. This 15-year span encompassed the reigns of Louis XVIII and Charles X, the fall of Napoleon, and […]
This elegant antique drop front desk is a beautiful example for the desk style of the so called Restoration style in France. It especially stands out for its exquisite mirrored walnut veneer. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 the brothers of the executed king Louis XVI came to power. At the beginning of the […]
French Furniture History: The Directoire Style From 1789 to 1804, French furniture took a sharp turn, condemning anything associated with the Ancien Régime. Previously predominant themes revolving around royal extravagance, noble power, and privilege were now perceived negatively. Repressed by the revolutionaries, furniture guilds were no longer able to ensure the same degree of […]
Gustavian Style & 18th-Century Swedish Design Minimalist, light-filled interiors, and functional design are hallmarks of modern-day Scandinavian design. However, these qualities developed centuries ago with the Gustavian style. Like other countries, the history of Swedish furniture and design ties into the rise of Neoclassicism and French influence. Gustavian design describes the more subdued interpretation of […]
A Brief History of the Dressing Table Vanity, duchess, commode, poudreuse, boudoir, lowboy–the dressing table has many nicknames. And throughout history, this piece of furniture has had about as many phases as names. Though you may not think about it, dressing tables have a rich and vibrant history. It’s a history that has more to […]
Home Decorating Ideas When you’re in the market for a new piece of antique furniture, there are hundreds of home decorating ideas to find inspiration. One of the best things about antiques is that they are one of a kind. Just like your home, each has the qualities that set it apart from the rest. […]
French Directoire furniture preserves the elegant and stately characteristics of earlier periods. But, like Gustavian design, the Directoire style is much more restrained. This moderation is evident in the elongated, uncomplicated shapes and clear lines of most pieces. The elegant commode offered here has the typical, straight-lined design, a reminiscent of the Louis XVI period, […]