AN EASY GUIDE TO FURNITURE STYLES
Choosing the right furniture for your home can be overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the designer world jargon. The style you select and how you decorate your home characterizes who you are and what is important to you. Below are a few descriptions of popular furniture styles. Get ready for a brief history lesson so you can arm yourself with the vocabulary you need to help you furniture shop.
TRADITIONAL
The Traditional furniture style encompasses a range of subcategories. Most notably this furniture is characterized by detailed carvings of leaf or scroll motifs, often has ornate moldings. Usually, the traditional style furniture are created from darker woods and stained with deep finishes.
Traditional Furniture was created with by the social customs and of the past. The names of some sub categories include Queen Anne, Louis Philippe, Colonial, Victorian, French Provincial.
The Traditional style tends to have heavier, more sumptuous furniture pieces.This style creates a dramatic stately feel for the home. The traditional look is all about balance and everything piece has the look that it goes together.
ARTS & CRAFTS
The Arts and Crafts Movement was a reformist movement that was at its height between 1880–1920. The Arts and Crafts was the backlash against the finicky, elaborateness style of the Victorian era. Arts & Crafts furniture advocated traditional craftsmanship using simple methods. Any hardware is made of wood or simple metal shapes.
The names of some sub categories include Mission, Craftsman, Stickley, and Amish.
In Arts & Crafts style the single most important element is wood. The overall design can be folksy or romantic. Simplicity is the key. What this style may lack in ornate cravings, the design gives attention to the natural materials and crafted details to shine.
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary style encompasses a range of styles developed in the latter half of the 20th century. Fundamentally, simplicity, subtle sophistication, texture and clean lines help to define contemporary style decorating. Interiors showcase space rather than things. By focusing on color, space, and shape, contemporary interiors are sleek and fresh.
Helpful hint: Modern and Contemporary in interior design are not the same style, as many people might think. Modern design refers to a period of time that a particular style was created from the 1920′s to the 1950′s to be exact. Contemporary style includes many sub groups such as the Art Deco, Modern, Retro, Scandinavian and Urban. To drive the point home, one could say Modern design is Contemporary, however the reverse is not correct. Not all Contemporary style is Modern design.
The Contemporary style is all about simple sophisticated pieces with clean, smooth surfaces, and an uncluttered appearance. Think fuss-free and open space.
TRANSITIONAL
Transitional style takes and uses the best of the design elements of Traditional and Contemporary styles, merging them together. This creates a for a formal look with contemporary simplicity, to create a comfortable furniture piece. Upholstered pieces such as dining chairs or bedroom benches tend to be overstuffed.
Sub categories of this style include Casual and Eclectic.
The emphasis with Transitional style tends to be simple but sophisticated. As shown by the use of straight lines with tapered legs, transitional furnishings make use of functionality and comfort. To sum up this style nicely, Transitional style furniture is restful yet graceful.
RUSTIC
Rustic furniture style is known for natural or distressed finishes and time-worn accents. Furniture often brings out textures and natural elements. The color palate is inviting earthy hues and is paired with oversized cozy upholstery. Materials from Barnwood, Hickory and Cedar Logs to create beautiful and natural looking spaces.
Sub categories of this style include Lodge and Southwestern.
Rustic furniture combines well with other design styles. Rustic style furniture gives the comfortable feeling of worn familiarity with an enchanting story behind each piece.
COASTAL
Coastal style furniture is inspired by weathered furniture and nautical accents found in traditional coastal homes. Whether you are thinking tropical Caribbean or the maritime beaches of Maine - Coastal style design is sophisticated furniture with a relaxed casual feel. Picture driftwood, worn smooth and bleached out dappled with colorful accents. Furniture pieces are often made of rattan, wicker, or wood.
Coastal Style can be broken into sub categories such as transitional coastal, coastal cottage, and contemporary coastal.
The all categories of Coastal design style focuses on a natural sunlight, and furniture made of natural fibers and textures. In short, Coastal is like visiting a beach house.
White Furniture is here to help you find furniture that fits your style. We have been serving Southeast Michigan for more than 70 years. If we do not have it in stock, we can special order it just for you. Don't forget to ask us about how to qualify for free delivery to your home.