Familiarize yourself with certain names that designers have given to pieces of furniture. Those names reflect the way the piece is constructed,

more than the way they are decorated or finished.

A coffee table is a low table, often placed in front of

a sofa for magazines,

beverages, etc… regardless of

furniture style.

Wing Chair: projecting sides

Club Chair: heavily upholstered

Barcelona Chair:

stainless steel frame

Director’s Chair: wood frame with canvas seat and back

Morris Chair: has loose

cushions and a movable

back

Bentwood Chair: made

from steam-bent wood pieces

Arm and Side Chairs: dining chairs

Trundle Bed: low bed on casters under a full

height bed

Small upholstered footstool: also known as

a hassock or ottoman

Armoire (ärm-wär‘): A large wardrobe cabinet

Bombe Chest: A commode with

a bulging sides, front, or both

Breakfront: Large china hutch with a center section that extends

beyond the side sections

Hutch: chest or cabinet with an

open shelf above

Chaise Lounge: backless couch with one

high side for reclining

Loveseat: small sofa for 2 people

Occasional table: small table, sometimes with

shelves or drawers; may serve as a lamp table or

coffee table

Library table: rectangular table;

Parson’s table is simple and does not have a

drawer

Pedestal table: has 1 or 2 center support

posts instead of 4 legs

Davenport: small writing desk OR sofa that makes into a bed

Divan: a living room piece with a concealed bed mattress that pulls out from the seat

Etagère  (ā'tä-zhâr')(last syllable rhymes with chair): an open shelf unit

for small ornaments

Gateleg or Pembroke table: a drop leaf table with one or two legs that

swing out to support the raised leaves

Poster bed: high posts on all 4 corners Canopy bed: has a cloth topper on a poster bed

Sectional: piece of seating furniture composed of sections that can be arranged separately or together

Lingerie chest: tall but narrow chest of small drawers

Settee: small double-seat that

may have arms and be upholstered

Campaign furniture: has metal corners and handles

like military chests

Coffee Table: low table often placed in front of

sofa for holding magazines and drinks

Commode: low chest of drawers

Console: once a shelf but now a versatile table

Credenza: storage piece

about chair rail height, usually designed for

the dining room but often

found in the den

Bun Foot

Pad Foot

Ball and Claw Foot

Reeded Brass Foot

Feral Foot Feral: wild and menacing; a "ferocious dog"

Club Foot; may be slightly pointed; usually thick and

substantial

Trifid (TRY fid) FootAlternative name: Drake

Foot3-lobed end-piece of a

Queen Anne cabriole legPaw Foot: may be a

hairy dog’s paw

Ogee bracket foot, popular on Queen Anne and

ChippendaleFrench bracket foot

Spade Foot

Hoof Foot

Arrow Foot

Cabriole Leg Cabriole Leg with Pad Foot

Cabriole Leg with Ball and Claw Foot

Bandy Legged Cabriole Leg

Tapered Leg

Spiral Legs

Turned Leg

Bulbous Leg

H Stretcher X Stretcher

Pediments above; Pediment with Finial below

Motifs

Shield Back Chair

Lyre Back Chair

Ladder Back Chair

Fiddle Back Chair

Spoon Back Chair

Slat Back Chair

Splat Back Chair

Eight-way hand-tied springs: considered the best springs, each coil is hand tied

into place eight ways (front to back, side to side, and diagonally), allowing the

coils to move independently while still providing firm, comfortable support

Kiln-dried hardwood frame: the best frames are made of hardwoods such as elm, oak, birch,

walnut and cherry which have been kiln-dried to remove moisture, thereby protecting the frame

against warping, splitting, swelling and shrinking

Corner blocks: blocks of wood used in the corners of the frame

that act as an extra brace, strengthening the frame

Mortise and Tenon: a favored means of furniture assembly where a projection, or tenon, in one piece of

wood fits securely into a groove, or mortise, in another to make a strong, durable, interlocking joint

Tongue and Groove Construction

The Dovetail Joint, so named for it's similarity in shape to the tail of the dove, has been a hallmark of fine woodworking. Typically, dovetails are use to join two pieces of solid wood, as in the side and front of a drawer. 

Dowel joints: a traditional method of construction using dowels (pegs made

of wood or steel) that are fitted into holes to join two pieces of a frame

High density polyurethane foam wrapped in Dacron is the most common (and least expensive) seat core in upholstered furniture. The density of

foam (should be at least 1.8 pounds per cubic foot) and quantity of Dacron will determine the

softness of the upholstered seat.

Spring-Down cushions consist of innerspring coils surrounded by foam and wrapped in

Dacron. This whole unit is then inserted into a muslin bag of channeled down. The springs give the upholstered furniture support, while

the down gives a luxurious surface feel.

Down cushions offer the softest seat, utilizing a combination of down and feathers sometimes

wrapped around a foam core and then encased in a muslin bag. This cushion does not retain its

shape without an occasional fluffing. Back cushions are primarily filled with Dacron fiber.

Encasing the filling in a bag will help the cushions keep their proper shape.

Traditional furniture styles originated during historical periods of time from the 1500-1900’s, primarily in France, England, and the United States.

The European styles came about in two ways: either the ruler of the country decided what their own preferences were and then

commissioned the cabinet makers to produce the designs OR a cabinetmaker themselves developed a particular style that others liked.

1840 Victorian- English 1810 Empire – French 1795 Directoire – French 1790 Sheraton - English 1780 Hepplewhite - English 1774 Neoclassic - French 1770 Adam - English 1760 Regency - English 1750 Federal - American 1750 Chippendale - English 1730 Georgian - American 1723 Rococo - French 1715 Regence - French 1702 Queen Anne - English 1690 Early American - American 1680 William & Mary - English 1660 Restoration - English 1660 Colonial - American 1643 Baroque - French 1643 Cromwellian - English 1603 Jacobean - English 1600 Late Renaissance - French 1580 Elizabethan - English 1553 Tudor - English

1500

-

190

0

Italian and Flemish influence such as bun feet; Henry IV and Louis XII; furniture was large and upright; walnut, oak, and ebony were preferred; marquetry was common (wooden inlays used to create patterns in furniture, sometimes cut into shapes such as geometric shapes or flowers or leaves, and sometimes used in a variety of woods in interesting grains and colors); tall, slender columns and spiral turnings.

Louis XIV; massive, rectangular, and proportionately heavy furniture; marble tabletops often placed on elaborately carved, square legs; upholstered chairs

and sofas covered in rich tapestries, brocades, and silks; the cabinetmaker Andre-Charles Boulle created boulle work which used pewter, brass,

semitransparent tortoiseshell and a lustrous gold allow of copper and zinc called ormolu for ornamentation

A transitional style between Baroque and Rococo; cabriole legs were introduced; lighter woods were

used

Louis XV; furniture scaled down to more human proportions; curves, flowing lines and symmetry; cabriole legs and scroll feet; ornamentation included

designs of shells, foliage, shepherd’s crooks, musical instruments, inlaying, and marquetry; marble and leather tops were common, as was gold-leafing;

Chinese lacquer and Oriental motifs were introduced

French Provincial was a term given to much of the furniture during the reigns of

Louis XIV through XVI. Some exposed wood was painted white with painted

enamel or omalu trim.

Sometimes called Classic Revival, this style returned to straighter lines; simpler motifs included roses, garlands, ribbons, and Cupid’s bows and

darts; some Greek & Roman influences

Just after the French Revolution, furniture production was disrupted; transition between Neoclassic and

Empire styles; motifs included military and agricultural forms such as arrows,

spears, drums, stars, and wheat; some Greek and Egyptian influences

Napoleon’s reign; masculine furniture with geometric shapes, absolute symmetry, and

heavy, solid proportions; less carving and what was used was very military in nature and

included chariots; highly polished veneers, brass and ormalu ornamentation such as brass

corner protectors

Henry VII & VIII, Edward VI, and Mary; native oak was most popular; simple carving and inlaying; Tudor rose, coat of arms and arabesques (scrolled leaf pattern generally symmetrical in design) motifs; overall appearance

was large and heavy

Tudor Rose

The bulbous form (melon shaped) was introduced; turned chairs had triangular seats with thick turnings for back, arms, and legs; wainscot chairs had rectangular seats with turned or column legs and carved or inlaid

wooden backs

James I and Charles I reigns; more slender bulbous forms; motifs of acanthus leaves

(large leaves used by Greeks in decoration), intertwined circles, palmettos (resembled a

small, fan-shaped palm branch), ionic capitals on columns, and romayne work

(caricatures of human heads); split balusters (short, turned pieces of wood like spindles split in half and often glued to surfaces);

upholstered chairs gained popularity

Civil War halted all furniture production; any pieces made were much plainer than

before and relatively undecorated

Walnut replaces oak as most popular wood; Charles II and James II reigned; carvings and spiral turnings till used;

marquetry and gilded metal gained popularity; oriental lacquers introduced in England at this time; scrolls and floral patterns were common; caned chairs;

elaborate cushions with fringes

Simpler, more elegant, and less ornate furniture; highly polished

woods; oriental lacquers and japanning (less expensive but

similar to lacquering); inlaid and marquetry; bun feet; some metal

decorations; x-stretchers

Strong oriental influence; gracefully curved lines; cabriole

leg; motifs included shells and lion mask; ball and claw foot;

spooned-back chairs; use of scrolls and finials was common on

top or bottom of pieces

Thomas Chippendale was a London cabinetmaker; lyre,

pretzel, ladder back, latticework chair backs;

mahogany; much Chinese influence

George Hepplewhite featured more slender lines and delicate proportions than Chippendale; straight, tapered legs with straight, spade, or thimble feet; chairs

had heart, caned, wheel, oval, and his characteristic shield backs; wheat, ribbons, fluting, and oval carvings; some painted motifs such as the 3-

feathered crest of the Prince of Wales and floral designs

Robert & James Adam were architects employing cabinetmakers to make furniture

to complement their architecture; symmetrical with Greek and Roman designs;

moved from mohagany to satinwood (a medium brown with less red tone)

Thomas Sheraton designed furniture but left construction to others; straight lines; rectangular chair backs; legs

and feet like Hepplewhite; motifs included urns, swags, leaves; porcelain plaques used for decoration; splayed

legs; incorporated mechanical devices for disappearing drawers folding tables, and secret compartments

Less originality; reused ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian designs

such as the concave legs on chairs and symmetrical leaf designs

Queen Victoria reigned; designs borrowed from several earlier styles such as Renaissance, gothic (the middle ages artwork and architecture) and Rococo (so sometimes called the eclectic style); mass produced, but

elaborately ornamented objects such as rose carvings; characteristic deep greens and burgundy velvet and brocades; rosewood

Homes were small and survival was an issue rather than furniture, so home furnishings were few and

basic; low trunks doubled as seats and slanted-top bible boxes served as lap desks; trestle tables had bench seats; drop-leaf table and chair seats were

popular; chairs had slatbacks and cane seats.

Slatback chairs were replaced by ladder backs for more comfort; split spindles, turnings, and bun feet; low relief carvings, if any; painted and

stenciled designs often replace carvings; corner hutches; pine, beech, and ash woods were popular because they were plentiful.

Boston, Newport, New York, and Philadelphia

emerged as design centers, each with their own distinct styles or

modifications on traditional European

styles; chairs became contoured; couches

and upholstered pieces were popular including

the wing chair; The Windsor chair from

England was introduced as a rocker in Boston;

secretary pieces became popular; highboys and

lowboys were introduced to replace

chests; brass hardware

Little change during the American Revolution, but resumed later; ornamentation was patriotic and included eagles, cornucopias, fruit, flowers,

lyres, and spiral turnings; designer Duncan Phyfe used concave legs and ornate mirrors; Pennsylvania Dutch liked cheerful designs

including colorful stencils of tulips, hearts, birds, and leaves; animal and human motifs used by

American Scandinavians; Shakers valued clean lines and frugality

20th Century styles of furniture are those that originated after the 1900’s. They were inspired by specific designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, popular trends such as Art Nouveau or Contemporary, or the influence of preferences from specific countries such as Scandinavia.

Today’s manufacturers still create the traditional styles

of furniture, but do not adhere to strict rules of

design. They “modify” the designs to suit their

client’s preferences or method of manufacturing.

Interior designers do not select all one style of

furniture for any one room either. They may mix &

match them in an appealing manner. This is described

by the term “eclectic”.

As early as 1902, there was a rebellion against ornamentation called Art Nouveau; designed to work well with mechanization; based on flowing,

natural lines ending in a curve similar to the bud of a plant; beautiful for it’s artistic merit rather than it’s cost; inexpensive woods

Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built homes and furniture with an emphasis on nature, in a manner like he designed his

sprawling ranch style homes in keeping with the sprawling prairies. He integrated furniture into the structure whenever

possible… these referred to as “built-ins”; geometric shapes, slats, and flat surfaces with no ornamentation; often

regarded as architectural sculpture

1867-1959

Walter Gropius founded a school known as The Bauhaus in Germany in 1919 where the guiding principle was to simplify the design of objects, and mechanization; tubular steel, canvas, and

leather straps; Bauhaus design focused only on function

In Scandinavian design from 1930-1970 the wood was curved by applying heat and steam

to many veneers (same principle used in making skis); white birch often used; clean,

sleek lines; upholstered pieces still had exposed wood arms and legs

Latest furniture designs, not yet classified or experimental; wood, metals, plastics, and glass are used; designs inspired from abstract art to everyday objects; some created simply for the artistic pleasure of the designer, but

most for the middle-class market; mobile society wants lightweight, affordable, adaptable furniture; modular pieces; folding metal or canvas

chairs, waterbeds, bean bag chairs, etc.

Name: _____________________

Due Date: __________________

You have already been assigned a drafting project…to draw a ranch style house floor plan.

Then you were asked to choose one room of that floor plan, and render it as a shaded, perspective drawing. Now, we’re ready for furniture selection.

1. On your ranch style floor plan, choose two rooms that you wish to show furnishings for. Choose two different types of rooms; a living room and a bedroom perhaps, not two bedrooms.

2. Using magazines or catalogs, find a picture of an individual furniture item OR a whole room full of furniture, to illustrate the style of furniture you want in each room. The two rooms cannot have identical furniture styles.

3. Cut out the pictures, and set them aside for now. They will be added to your final project later on. Identify the furniture styles, and be prepared to label those later as well.