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Guide to Furniture Styles for Today's Décors
Throughout the history of wood furniture making, craftsmen in every era have been producing new designs which will define a
the period. Any attempt to cover them all would be a daunting task. People have devoted their lives and entire books have been written to cover this subject. The
goal of The Craftsman's Woodshop is to provide a summary of the main periods from yesteryear and provide insight to those which are currently available
that define today's styles.
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Today's Furniture Styles
Traditional Furniture
Traditional
furniture is typically used to create a rich formal
atmosphere. Generally, furnishings of this style are
made of mahogany or cherry and exhibit a deep brown tone
stain and gloss finish. As with most any style, the
traditional style has evolved from styles of the past such
as the Chippendale, Queen Anne and Victorian periods.
Leather and fabrics can be used to accentuate these pieces
as well in order to provide a classic feel to any décor.
Contemporary Furniture
The
style of Contemporary furniture is a broad category that has
many nuances. This style is used to categorize designs
influenced by the retro designs of the 50’s and 60’s decades
in addition to urban and casual contemporary décors.
The designs generally follow the “form follows function”
mentality. This is portrayed in its clean lines and lack of
embellishment. Because of its simplistic feel,
Contemporary furniture can be mixed with various Mission or
Shaker styles to complete the décor of any space. The
color tones of this style are normally dark to medium brown
tones which can be mixed with lighter toned accessories to
create a vibrant contrast.
Country Furniture
The
Country style of today are based upon the theme country
style living. This style is influences by the works of
the early American’s and Europeans. This style can
exhibit traits from the days of the old west, a north woods
cabin, or a lakeside cottage. The furniture is usually
mid-toned wood such as ash, maple, oak and birch with any
tone of stain or may be painted. To add character,
pieces created today may be distressed or given additional
finishing touches to provide an aged quality. Vintage
fabrics containing floral patterns, stripes or calicoes
provide a down to earth feel that is warm and inviting.
The furniture has crisp clean lines has a hand made quality
and is of sturdy construction is casual by nature
Modern Furniture
Sharp
and linear, clean and crisp, the Modern style goes one or
more steps beyond Contemporary and may even include retro or
Art Deco elements. Wood, chrome, steel and glass may all
play a role in the decor of the Modern home. Upholstery
fabrics are mostly simple but may be textured or tightly
woven. Splashes of bold color work or blacks and grays work
well with the Modern style, as does the timeless look of
leather.
Eclectic Design
Interiors
that mix compatible or complementary styles in order to achieve
a unique and individual look are said to be Eclectic – in that
they strive to use the best of what may be several styles.
Eclectic décor often includes collectors’ items from across the
globe or unique works of art and pottery. Furniture woods and
upholstery fabrics may run the full range of available choices,
textures and colors. In fact, color is often used to create
harmony in the design of a room.