FURNITURE DESIGN

PRACTICAL 6
Unit 1: Furniture Style
HISTORY OF FURNITURE DESIGN

The concept of furniture first developed as early as 3100-2500 B.C. The first items created for household
use were made of stone, as wood was not readily available during the Neolithic time period. Dressers,
cupboards and beds were amongst the first forms of furniture.

Neolithic Period – The Neolithic period, (approximately 5,500-2,500 B.C.), gave the world the first
documented instances of furniture being used in ancient times; Orkney, Scotland is where stone dressers
and cupboards originated for the purposes of storage.

The Classical World – From the 9th-8th Century B.C., in Ancient Egypt and Greece, the most popular forms
of furniture were beds found within tombs of Queens and Pharaohs to rest their deceased bodies upon,
as well as chairs and wooden headrests in lieu of pillows for common Ancient Egyptians.

Early Modern Europe – Furniture from 500-1500 A.D. (Or ‘Medieval furniture‘), was designed in
European. Chairs were popular for seating and were often made of heavy oak with exquisite artistic
designs.

19th Century – Between the years of 1801-1900, 19th Century furniture was very artistic and detailed.
Gothic styles were popular and chairs often had fancy cut-out designs. The intricate designed chairs were
often used by the wealthy at dinners.

Early North American – Early North American furniture dates to the early 20th century in America,
furniture was more basic and made of necessity versus fancy artistic and detailed designs; basic dressers
for storage and simplistic chairs and stools for sitting, were often made of woods such as cherry or walnut
as they were easily bent with a steaming process.

Modernism – In post-World War II (1945 & after), simple, sleek furniture designs were influenced by
artists and designers with roots in Germany (Marcel Breuer), France (Eileen Gray), Spain (Lilly Reich) and
Japan (Isamu Noguchi); chairs representing basic seating needs in combination with artistic designs
became very popular in this era.

Eco-design – Eco-design can be traced back to the 1920’s, in America, when people became somewhat
aware of the toll some materials can take on the environment though it‘s popularity did not blossom until
the 1960‘s; furniture in Eco-design is increasingly popular in modern days as it uses resources that are
quickly grown and replaced such as bamboo, bamboo tables (kitchen tables as well as simple coffee
tables) are popular examples of Eco-design furniture used for holding items, without draining Earth‘s
resources.
Contemporary – Contemporary furniture refers to all modern or recent furniture designs, (from the
1970’s onward), from all over the world, aluminum and iron furniture are popular materials used in sleek
and geometric contemporary designs; iron kitchen/dining room tables are amongst the most popular
styles.
1.1 Classic Style : (From the 9th-8th Century B.C)

 1 . 1 . 1 Ancient Egyptian Furniture ( 3000 - 2000 BC)

The hyperarid climatic conditions of Egypt since the third millennium BC are perfect for the preservation
of organic material. Thanks to these conditions Ancient Egyptian furniture has been excavated and various
sites and includes 3rd millennium BC beds, discovered at Tarkhan, a 2550 BC gilded bed and chairs from
the tomb of Queen Hetepheres, and boxes, beds and chairs from Thebes. There were two severe sides to
the furniture excavated, the intricate gold gilded ornate furniture found in the tombs of the Pharaohs and
the simple chairs, tables and baskets of the ordinary Egyptians.

 1.1.2 Ancient Greek Furniture (2000 - 300 BC)

Ancient Greek furniture design can be dated back to the 2nd millennium BC, including the famous klismos
chair. The furniture designs are preserved not only by the examples still in existance, but by images of
them depicted in Greek vases. In 1738 and 1748 excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii revealed
perfectly preserved Roman furniture. The ashes from the eruption at Mount Vesuvius preserved the
furniture from 79 A.D. right up its excavation in the eighteenth century. Characteristic of this early
furniture were highly influenced by the furniture of the ancient Egyptians with a stiff, rectangular, and
unflattering shape. In the 4th and 5th centuries, once the Greeks developed their own style, furniture
became less square and rigid and more curved and flowing.

1.2 C o l o n i a l F u r n i t u r e : ( 1 5 0 0 - 1 7 5 4 )

Across the water in the United States, during the early Colonial period, most furniture arrived along with
the first immigrants. They brought furniture pieces typical of the Jacobean and Carolean periods in Britain
with them, and then later made their own furniture in a similar style. These pieces were generally sturdy
and heavily carved, many with turned legs and bun feet. In the harsher environment of some of the
Colonies these pieces were simpler representatives of their parent styles, befitting the more
straightforward and utilitarian life of the settlers.

Other settlers also brought their influences with them to the colonies, most notably the Dutch and French
in the North east, and the Spanish in the South west. Although recognizably different from the British
inspired designs, the Dutch pieces are essentially in the same tradition. However the different climate and
different wood available to Spanish colonists led to a distinctly different style known as Mission or South
western.
 The earliest American-made piece of furniture is a chest made by Nicholas Disbrowe around 1660.
 Uncompromisingly rectangular, its distinctively carved frame-and-panel construction, although
very reminiscent of earlier British Age of Oak pieces, is already recognizable as a distinct American
style.
 Many other early Colonial era pieces, such as wainscot chairs and heavy joint-tables, are similarly
in the Age of Oak tradition.

1.3 Art Nouveau :( 1880-1910)

Art Nouveau or “New Art” was born in Europe out of the Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic art movements.
 A naturalistic style characterized by intricately detailed patterns and curving lines.
 Exploded onto the design scene in Paris and London
 Based on the rebellion against the ornamentation of the Victorian style.
 Little to no ornamentation was used, inexpensive woods replaced mahogany and satinwood.
 The goal was to create beautiful furniture for its artistic, merit, not its cost.
 Furniture was designed to work with mechanization, not against it. Furniture was based on
flowing natural lines ending in a curve.
  Most furniture was based around the greatly influential designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He
was known for his extremely high-backed chairs in a glossy black lacquer.
 Art Nouveau style furniture in the United States was considered the height of luxury in the early
20th century and considered a decorative art style.

Famous Designers of the Art Nouveau Style

 Charles Rennie Mackintosh– architect and designer of furniture and jewellery

 Louis Comfort Tiffany- lighting
 René Lalique- glass and jewellery
 Emile Galle- ceramics, glass and furniture
 Victor Horta – Architect
 Alphonse Mucha – posters

1.4 Art Deco Style :( 1908 – 1935)

Art Deco began in Europe, particularly Paris, in the early years of the 20th century but took off after World
War I. Unlike many design movements, mass production meant it wasn’t just for the elite. Art Deco
rejected many traditional classical influences in favor of more streamlined, geometric forms, making use
of modern techniques and materials.

Art Deco Style

 The style was geometric and angular shapes, bold outlines and ziz-zag forms.
  As travel was popular in the period, many pieces of foreign design began to appear in the home.
African safaris were popular and animal skins, ivory, tortoiseshell and mother of pearl began to
appear in the home.
 Egyptian motifs such as sphinxes and pyramids were also popular.
 Materials were chrome, glass, shiny fabrics, mirrors and mirror tiles. Theatrical contrasts were
also prevalent, mixing highly polished wood and black lacquer with satin and furs.

Art Deco Furniture

 The essential elements of Art Deco furniture were bold geometric shapes based on traditional
forms. Materials were Pine or Maple for less expensive lacquered or painted pieces; Mahogany,
Walnut, or more exotic woods for finer examples. Sometimes metal or glass.
 A thirties-style leather club chair, a streamlined Birdseye maple bedroom set, or a black lacquered
cocktail cabinet are all examples of classic Art Deco furniture.
 Shapes were strong and streamlined, and furniture was better as single pieces rather than
coordinating suites.

Art Deco Color

 Period colors were fantastic, contrasting combinations: black, chrome and white, yellow, red for
hallways and living areas. Bedrooms favored cream, beige, pale green.
 Painting design often included in strong geometric shapes. For best effect, this was paired with
geometric-pattered rugs, faux leopard skin, and polished floors.
 Motifs were kept natural- shells, sunrises and flowers were popular. Fabrics were best in a plain
or geometric design, and highlights added with cushions in solid blocks of color.

Art Deco Influences

 Art Deco’s biggest influence was Art Nouveau. It kept the organic motifs, but discarded the
flowing shapes and pastel shades for bolder materials and colors.
 The glamour of early Hollywood was also drawn into Art Deco design. Shining fabrics, careful
lighting, mirrors, cocktail cabinets and smoking paraphernalia were very fashionable.

Famous Designers of the Art Deco Style

 Eileen Gray– furniture
 Raymond Templier- jewellery
 Clarice Cliff- china
1.5 Modern Furniture :( 1900- 1945)

Modern furniture refers to a specific style: the Modernist movement that began in the early
1900s with the Bauhaus school of design. These designs were a rebellion against the ornate
designs that preceded them. Think of art deco designs, and all of their flourishes and
ornamentations.
 Modernist principles embrace a simple, clean look. Its main principles include:
 Minimalist design
 Smooth surfaces
 Clean, straight lines
 Warm neutral colors, accented by vivid hues
 Materials that include both woods and metals
  This movement would remain popular during the 1950s and 1960s through the mid-century
modern design movement.
 In modern furniture the dark gilded, carved wood and richly patterned fabrics gave way to the
glittering simplicity and geometry of polished metal.
 The forms of modern furniture sought newness, originality, technical innovation, and ultimately
conveyed the present and the future, rather than what had gone before it as revival styles had
done.
 This interest in new and innovative materials and methods produced a certain blending of the
disciplines of technology and art.
 The use of new materials, such as steel in its many forms; molded plywood and plastics, were
formative in the creation of these new designs.

1.6 Minimal furniture style:

It’s characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with color used as an
accent. It usually combines an open floor plan, lots of light, and functional furniture, and it focuses
on the shape, color and texture of just a handful of essential elements.

Elements of minimalist design

 The minimalist approach uses only the essential elements: light, form and beautiful materials,
usually in an open plan layout, to create a sense of freedom and relaxation.
 There is no excessive ornamentation and decoration.
  Few details that are used are uncomplicated and blend harmoniously into the setting.
 This might be in the form of a single artwork adorning a living room wall, or a beautiful vase on
top of the dining room table.
 Minimalist furniture and accessories focus on functionality and practicality.
 Flat, smooth surfaces and strong, clean lines create bold statements that emphasize the
essential nature of each item.
 Won’t find highly patterned furnishings and accessories or highly detailed ornamentation.
 Focus is on the purity and simplicity of the shape and form.

1.7 Contemporary Style: (1980-2000)

Contemporary furniture refers to all modern or recent furniture designs, from all over the world,
aluminum and iron furniture are popular materials used in sleek and geometric contemporary designs;
iron kitchen/dining room tables are amongst the most popular styles.
Contemporary interior design takes its cues from whatever is popular at the current time. It is a dynamic
design style that changes with the current trends, so contemporary design today may look very different
from contemporary design 50 years from now.

 It incorporates features from a variety of styles and eras, blending them with the overall
minimalist look. At the current time, Mid-Century Modern design is trendy, so contemporary
furniture looks similar to modern style.
 Start with a neutral color palette. Beiges and white dominate contemporary interior design with
furniture extending the neutral tones.
 Look for sleek lines and smooth textures. Contemporary furniture borrows its emphasis on
functionality from the modern style. Comfort without fussiness characterizes contemporary
furniture.
 Straight, clean lines, boxy chairs, and couches intermingled with an occasional sensuous curve
give a contemporary family room an uncluttered inviting appeal. Tables are often made of
lacquer, highly-finished wood, or chrome and glass. Chairs, sofas, and tables are raised off the
floor on lean legs for a light and airy look.
  High-gloss, smooth surfaces are the perfect complement to contemporary furniture in your family
room. Tables that gleam, simple display areas that shine, and largely unadorned walls keep the
look clean and sleek.
 Let the light shine in. The contemporary design relies on lots of natural light to illuminate all of
the gleaming surfaces.
 Go easy on the accessories. Keep the room uncluttered with a few simple accessories that might
add a pop of color or break up the linearity of the furniture. A few uniquely shaped sculptures,
vases, or accent chairs will stand out among your contemporary furniture. Consider one piece of
large-scale art to create a focal point for the room.

Reference:
Furniture Design Timeline | OnlineDesignTeacher

Furniture Design History | OnlineDesignTeacher

A Complete Guide To All The Types Of Furniture Styles (bassettfurniture.com)

What is minimalist interior design style? | Tarkett

Furniture Style Timeline | Sutori