What Does Colonial Furniture Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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: furniture made in the American colonies before the end of the Revolution and largely influenced by contemporary European styles (as the Queen Anne and Georgian) but having some indigenous features (as greater variety in woods and more extensive use of turnings)

What does colonial style furniture look like?

The Colonial style combines characteristics of William and Mary, Queen Anne, and Chippendale. Colonial furniture tended to be more conservative and less ornate than English and European furniture of the same style period. Graceful and Refined – Elegant Appearance . Outward Flare – Arms have slight outward curve.

What is colonial style furniture?

Colonial American furniture style is graceful, refined, and full of purpose . Colonial American furniture style evolved and grew throughout the period around 1700 to 1780. It started as furniture made just for practical purposes, and the materials used were whatever was available at the time.

What is colonial decorating style?

Colonial interiors are characterized by grand entrance halls, polished wood floors, simplified paint and wallpaper palettes, and light approach to millwork and wainscoting . ... High wainscoting, which might have been polished oak in a similar house, is here painted colonial white.

What styles are included in American colonial furniture?

Colonial furniture styles include Jacobean, Early American, William and Mary, Queen Anne and Chippendale . The furniture ranges from casual, country-style furnishings to very formal, traditional pieces.

What is the difference between colonial and early American?

Colonial -style decorating reflects the styles of that era, varying from rustic to refined. Early American furniture was sturdy yet simple, but it evolved into the distinctive, formal style of furniture of designers such as Chippendale and Hepplewhite.

What was colonial furniture made of?

With the idea for simple, moveable and functional design, Colonial furniture developed specific identifying characteristics. Numerous woods were used, however, oak and pine were most common . Makers kept the wood in its natural finish or applied clear finishes such as varnish or wax.

What made British Colonial?

British Colonial style took the heavy and formal designs of the Victorian era and modified them with fresh, bold prints inspired by local flora and fauna like tropical birds, palms and ferns. Traditional soft chintz designs gave way to exotic textiles in prints depicting local scenes.

Where did colonial furniture get its inspiration?

“People often believe that colonial furniture dates back to the British, but it was introduced to India by the Portuguese in the mid-1500s . So it includes furniture by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British.”

What is a colonial chair?

The Colonial range includes a two-seater sofa, armchair, footstool and coffee table . The seating elements feature a solid wood frame with a cotton webbing base that supports loose cushions made from a downmix. A well-crafted lounge chair with a simple and refined expression. ... The seat is made of handwoven cane.

What is the most common colonial style?

1. British Colonial Styles . The most common type of colonial architecture in the USA is British colonial architecture which makes since given the US was a British Colony for approximately 200 years. There are several sub-styles that quality as British colonial architecture.

What makes a house a colonial style?

Colonial-style houses usually have two or three stories, fireplaces, and brick or wood facades . The classic Colonial-style house floor plan has the kitchen and family room on the first floor and the bedrooms on the second floor. Colonial homes are easy to add on to at the side or the back.

How do you decorate a colonial living room?

Accessorize a colonial living room with a few well-chosen pieces with refined and elegant lines and little ornamentation. Antiques and rustic, handmade items such as wood bowls , stoneware pottery, glass vases, tin plates, hand-woven baskets, pewter tea sets and brass candlesticks are good choices.

What does early American furniture look like?

Furniture from this period is known for features like ornamental carvings, raised panels, finials, and woodturnings . Common materials included wood like pine, birch, maple, cherry, and oak. Because many of the colonists were still somewhat unsettled, chests were in high demand due to their portability.

What color is early American furniture?

There were a variety of reds and browns : Spanish red, ruddle, vermilion, Indian red, red-brown and umber. The palette included a few yellows ( chrome yellow, straw yellow and yellow ocher), black, white and one or two greens. Blue pigments were rare and expensive.

What is French rococo furniture?

Rococo furniture refers to interior design pieces from inspired by the extravagantly decorated Rococo period in 18th century France . Noted for its extensive decoration, Rococo furniture is sumptuous and extreme in design, and often employs many different types of material and ornamentation in a single piece.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.