The Scandiavian Contemporary style is a simple utilitarian design style in natural wood popularized by Danish and Swedish designers.
Appearance
Simple - Straight lines, simple design, and little ornamentation.(Contemporary style shown)
Chair Arms
Straight - Arms are straight and perpendicular to chair.
Chair Back Material
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Top Rail - Simple, flat horizontal top rail.
Chair Leg
Round - Round, usually shaped or turned leg.
Splayed - Leg with a concave shape.
Square - Flat surfaced leg on all sides.
Straight - Straight leg, vertical to chair seat.
Tapered - Straight leg gradually decreasing in width.
Chair Seat... Read More
The Art Nouveau style is a naturalistic style characterized by intricately detailed patterns and curving lines.
Appearance
Heavily Ornamented - Elaborate ornamentation.(Art Nouveau style shown)
Chair Arms
Curved - Arms curved outward.
Outward Flare - Arms have slight outward curve.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Balloon - Balloon-shaped chair back, rounded at the top and tapering to the seat.
Bentwood - Curved pieces of wood.
Top Rail - Simple, flat horizontal top rail.
Chair Leg
Round - Round, usually shaped or turned leg.
Square - Flat surfaced leg on all sides.
Straight -... Read More
The Arts and Crafts style is characterized by rectilinear design, simple, straight construction, and exposed joinery, often using medium or dark stained oak. The terms Mission and Craftsmen are also used to describe Arts and Crafts furniture.
Appearance
Simple - Straight lines, simple design, and little ornamentation.(Contemporary style shown)
Sturdy - Straight lines and a heavy proportion.(Arts and Craft style shown)
Chair Arms
Simple Turning or Flat - Arms are straight with a simple turning or are flat.
Straight - Arms are straight and perpendicular to chair.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats,... Read More
The Victorian style draws its influence from gothic forms with heavy proportions, dark finish, elaborate carving, and ornamentation. It is named for Queen Victoria of England who reigned from 1837-1901 and was the first furniture style of mass production.
Appearance
Formal - Elaborately detailed, somber appearance.(Victorian style shown)
Chair Arms
Curved - Arms curved outward.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Balloon - Balloon-shaped chair back, rounded at the top and tapering to the seat.
Chair Leg
Elaborate turning - Turned leg with multiple types of turnings.
Restrained Cabriole -... Read More
The Shaker style is a simple, utilitarian style characterized by straight tapered legs, woven chair seats, and mushroom-shaped wooden knobs. It was produced by the religious group the United Society of Believers in self-contained communities in the United States.
Appearance
Simple - Straight lines, simple design, and little ornamentation.(Contemporary style shown)
Chair Arms
Simple turning or flat - Arms are straight with a simple turning or are flat.
Chair Back Material
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Ladderback or Slatback - Equally spaced horizontal flat slats, either straight or curved.
Chair Leg
Round - Round, usually shaped... Read More
American Empire is moderate in proportion with classical ornamentation, coarse carving, and a dark finish. It is patterned after French Empire with classical influences.
Appearance
Graceful and Refined - Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown)
Chair Arms
Slightly Curved - Arms are slightly curved.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Crosspiece - Single flat vertical slat.
Fiddleback - Fiddle-shaped central splat.
Solid - One piece or solid panel chair back.
Chair Leg
Reeded - Rounded decorative grooved or molding.
Restrained Cabriole - Cabriole leg with a rather straight shape.
Round - Round, usually shaped or... Read More
The Duncan Phyfe style is characterized by carved or reeded legs and neoclassic motifs. It is named after American cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe, and is considered by some art historians as more of an adaptation and refinement of Adam, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, and Empire than a style in itself.
Appearance
Graceful and Refined - Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown)
Chair Arms
Slopes to front posts - Arms slope down to meet posts from the seat.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Crossbar - X-shaped splat.
Crosspiece - Single flat vertical slat.
Lyre... Read More
Sheraton is a neoclassical style characterized by delicate straight lines, light construction, contrasting veneers, and neoclassical motifs and ornamentation. It is named for English designer Thomas Sheraton who published his designs in "The Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers Drawing Book" in 1791. It was the most reproduced style in the United States during the Federal period.
Appearance
Graceful and Refined - Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown)
Chair Arms
Slopes to front posts - Arms slope down to meet posts from the seat.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Banister... Read More
The Federal style combines the neoclassic furniture style characteristics of Hepplewhite and Sheraton. It is characterized by graceful straight lines, light construction, tapered legs, inlay, and contrasting veneers.
Appearance
Graceful and Refined - Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown)
Chair Arms
Slopes to front posts - Arms slope down to meet posts from the seat.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Fiddleback - Fiddle-shaped central splat.
Rectangular or Square - Rectilinear design with a solid or central splat.
Chair Leg
Reeded - Rounded decorative grooved or molding.
Round - Round, usually shaped or... Read More
Hepplewhite is a neoclassic style characterized by a delicate appearance, tapered legs, and the use of contrasting veneers and inlay. It is named after British designer and cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite whose designs in "The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterers Guide" were published posthumously in 1788. This style was reproduced in the United States particularly in the Carolinas, Maryland, New England, New York, and Virginia.
Appearance
Graceful and Refined - Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown)
Chair Arms
Curved - Arms curved outward.
Chair Back Material
Upholstered - Cushioned and fabric covered.
Wood - Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.
Chair Back Shape
Oval -... Read More