As long as furniture has been created, furniture styles have evolved to mirror the tastes of society at the time. Furniture types and styles vary depending upon their country of origin and the era in which the furniture was created. When picking out furniture, choosing a style that matches your personality matters more than going along with the current trends. Many people opt to mix and match furniture styles to create spaces unique to them. Does this Spark an idea?
Tudor
King Henry VIII's Tudor dynasty in England spawned the Tudor furniture style. Tudor furniture was created from 1457 during Henry's reign through Queen Elizabeth's reign to 1603. Tudor furniture tended to be very heavy and ornately carved. Materials for Tudor furniture included oak and other heavy woods from local sources. Four-poster beds became commonplace during this period, in addition to heavy chests with intricate carvings. Chairs featured square backs for the most part and were also ornately carved.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne bench
Also known as late Baroque and early Georgian, Queen Anne furniture was created in the 1720s and extending into the 1760s. It closely modeled the previous Baroque furniture style. A key difference, however, was the inclusion of Asian-style lacquer work into the furniture in a technique known as japanning. Aside from japanning, Queen Anne furniture remained rather simple. Chairs in Queen Anne style developed a new backing known as crooked, or S-curved, backing to make chairs more comfortable.
Victorian
Victorian frame
During Queen Victoria's English reign, not only clothing, customs and architecture evolved, but also furniture. Victorian furniture tended to have lots of curves and showy d cor; however, this furniture, popular beginning in the 1830s, was styled more for comfort than furniture styles of previous eras. Rocking chairs became popular in Victorian homes. In addition, the Morris chair, low chairs with deep seats and a hinged back, appeared during this time period. Seating in Victorian furniture was plush, in both the seat and the back. Woods common for Victorian furniture include oak and walnut.
Colonial
Colonial furniture first appeared during the early colonization of the United States. This furniture style remained simple and incorporated lots of wood, such as pine, maple and walnut. Furniture featured ladderback chairs, butterfly tables and candle stands. This type of Colonial is known as Early American Colonial. By the 18th century, Colonial furniture made a return, leading to a time known as Colonial revival. Colonial revival incorporated secretary desks, chintzes and sconces as d cor.
Art Deco
Art deco style clock
From the 1920s to the late 1930s, art deco styles dominated American homes. The style featured bold, stylized geometric shapes with patterns such as lightning bolts and sunbursts. Avant garde looks trickled into American homes, influenced by the treasures of King Tut's tomb, Hollywood glamor and the use of newer materials for decorating, like stainless steel, glass and chrome.
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