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Furniture Traditions
by Pamela Cole Harris
Whatever your individual style or taste, it is important to
know how to identify each style. If your best friend brags
about the “To-die-for Louis XV side chair, “dah-ling”,” would
you know what the heck she was talking about? Well, here is a
primer on furniture types that will help you appear to be an
expert whatever your neighbor buys next!
1. English Traditional
William and Mary – A simple and comfortable style with lots
of upholstery, arched cabinetry and turned legs. Elaborately
carved walnut was the wood of choice
Queen Anne – This style is hallmarked by graceful and lovely
S-shaped cabriole legs. This style usually has limited
ornamentation, but what is there is elegant – such as the
scalloped shell motif.
Chippendale – Influenced by the Chinese, this style includes
a ball and claw foot and richly carved legs.
Victorian – Overstuffed chairs and elaborate and ornate woods
are elements of this style. Dark woods and elegant fabrics
are also indicators of this style.
2. French Traditional
Louis XIV – Very ornate and massive furniture is the hallmark
of this style. But while the pieces are enormous, their lines
are straight and often rectangular.
Louis XV – This style features smaller scaled furniture,
although it continues to be extravagant and ornate. Curves
appear instead of the straight lines of Louis XIV. This style
inspired a much-used fad of the 50s and 60s called French
Provincial (remember white furniture with gilt trim?).
Louis XVI – This style is more subdued or subtle that earlier
French styles, It has classic, almost Grecian lines that lack
decoration and carving.
Empire – This style inspired other designs around the world
such as Duncan Phyfe, Sheraton and Biedermeier. The furniture
was massive, but symmetrical, with gentlly bowed fronts or
legs.
3. American Traditional
American Traditional was influenced by English and French
styles and eventually evolved into a uniquely American style.
Contemporary Modern – With its roots traced to the Bauhaus
school of art in Germany, this style was simple, clean and
geometric. The hallmark of this style is the idea that “form
follows function.”
Country – This casual style is and expression of our American
social, ethnic and religious culture. It includes styles such
as the clean and simple lines of Shaker furniture, the
massive simplicity of Mission, and similar styles from
artisans in the Southwest and all corners of the country.
These are the traditional styles on which most décor is
based, but I know of at least two others that I have used
extensively in the past – Early Thrift Shop or Late Graduate
Student. Those styles feature eclectic furniture and fabric
choices and a budget of, say...ten bucks! Just love those
cinder block bookcases, don’t you?
Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer for over 35 years (Yikes!
Has it been that long? Her fun, tongue-in-cheek approach to
decorating has made http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com
one of
the most popular décor sites on the net.
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