As it makes sense, the Louis XVI sofa has its origin in the style of furniture that prevailed during the reign of the famous King of France and Navarre between 1774 and 1792, although it was later beheaded with a guillotine.
The forms of the Louis XVI style are distinguished from those of the Louis XV style by their simplicity and sobriety; they find the rigorous character of the geometric and straight forms inherited from the classical structure: in particular, the rectangle, the square, the circle and the oval.
Louis XVI-style living room furniture
The spectacular style of earlier eras is transformed to give way to the intimacy and creativity of the Louis XIV style; woodworking, carving and of course gilding; silks dethrone velvet but also brocades. Delicate and soft shades are preferred, such as cream tone, pale pink and pastel blue, which become the favourites.
The armchairs, dressers, beds, chairs, sofas, all adopt the new wave of discreet colors and rich vaporous and light fabrics.
The carpeting also acquires a greater sobriety, removing all excessive elements. It is pale and pastel colours that are present.
Louis XVI-style sofas for the living room are distinguished by their space and comfort, with gold leaf finishes common. The curved shapes, so in vogue during the previous reign, gradually fade to give way to straight lines, leaving the sculpted ornaments, rather discreet, help to emphasize the sober character of the whole. Classicism comes first, but comfort is given priority, with a full seat and support cushions for the thick, padded back.
Where to buy a used Louis XVI sofa?
Buying a Louis XVI sofa is something we could all think of at some point.
Often, the ignorance of not knowing where to buy a Louis XVI sofa or thinking that it will involve excessive effort or that the price can be very high, can discourage us from buying it. However, below are the sources where you can buy one so you can decide which one is best for you.
Chinar in flea markets
Second-hand products are a traditional option to consider. They are organized every week or every month and there will certainly be one soon and close to you. It is more difficult to find some that focus solely on furniture, but in any market that sells all kinds of second-hand goods, there will certainly be a small furniture stall where you can find a sofa, an armchair, a dresser, a chair and all colors including black or white... and in a sober or baroque style. In addition, fabrics and marquetry can be of exclusive design.
At the flea markets, the first arrivals are the professionals of the collections, they are the first on site so that no one precedes them in search of the article that would be useful to them in their hobby. Those who come at the last minute do so with the intention of getting their hands on the items at the lowest possible price. Perhaps one day you will meet Mr. Starck in person, snooping through all the products on offer.
The advantage of this option is that you can put the price you want, find the model you like, change style for a Louis XV sofa, if the opportunity arises. The downside is that you will need to have a van or similar vehicle to be able to carry the furniture you buy. In addition, you will probably have to pay a fee to park the vehicle for at least 4 hours.
Empty attics in villages
The empty attics of the villages are not only picturesque but also allow to find real treasures or opportunity, a Louis XVI armchair without stains, without bad smells, without cat scratches, yes it is possible.
Villages are often inhabited by people with houses or several generations have lived there, hence the possibility of being able to find period furniture. It is even possible that you can find a whole collection of furniture, chairs or wooden sofas with beautiful marquee.
With a little luck, you may be able to get your hands on kartell brand products, which are usually made of white or black polycarbonate.
As with other major purchases, it is important to research the subject before you buy, so it's a good idea to research antiquities in advance. This can include visiting antique shops, dealers and auction houses, talking to reputable collectors and dealers, and reading price guides, auction catalogues, magazines and books specializing in the items you want to buy. The more you know, the less likely you are to buy a product that is not what you planned or to pay too much.
Sale deposits
To be clear, a sales depot sells second-hand products, either by buying them or by simply being an intermediary and collecting a percentage.
Used stores are companies that offer great opportunities, where success depends mainly on the products sold, where the most expensive are those that leave the most percentages of profit. In France, the most profitable niche is clothing and collectibles (old phones, paintings, vinyl records, etc.).
Benefits of sale deposits
While it is true that the experience of buying or depositing for sale will not be the same in all stores, certain points are usually present in each of them. Anyway, and to avoid misunderstandings, let's list the main benefits and benefits of buying or selling in one of them.
- The price, of course. Any used product will always be cheaper than a new product, with the resulting savings.
2. Consuming intelligently and responsibly, as the reuse of products is always much more recommendable and beneficial to the environment than recycling or buying new products.
3. We have concentrated in one "site" all the used products we may need. Most used stores have a high and varied stock, so it will not be necessary to visit different stores in search of what you want to buy.
This system, which consists of selling in deposits, allows the owner or store manager to avoid the risk of excess inventory. The person in charge of buying the delivery person chooses what he or she will sell in his establishment, but he will pay for it when he sells it. If he does not sell it, he will return it to the delivery man without having to pay him anything in principle.
Like all purchase or sale systems, the deposit purchasing system has its advantages and disadvantages depending on which side you are in.
The classifieds on the web
There are many websites and apps that allow you to sell used items between individuals. Furniture is generally of great importance, from those that could be considered antiques to new ones.
If you are looking to make money by selling used furniture, this is the best solution. Publishing your ad is free, you touch a lot of people, you can set the price you want and everything you get goes straight into your pocket.
You will find the best alternative to buying and selling second-hand furniture on the Internet, in the form of second-hand shops and vitange.
Buying second-hand furniture on the Internet doesn't necessarily mean giving up top-quality furniture.
Furniture usually comes from individuals, wills, terminations, etc. They receive the parts, dismantle them, repair them (if necessary) and make them available in their vast catalogues. Don't miss the opportunity to find real estate market treasures in second-hand furniture stores.
How to restore a used Louis XVI sofa?
1. The first thing to evaluate is whether you are going to have enough time to take care of the restoration. Depending on which room you're going to work on, you'll need space at home and time.
2. One of the keys to successful furniture restoration is to choose the right piece of furniture. Don't be in a hurry and do as much research as possible. You should look for a Louis XVI sofa that is within your reach and which you think you can finish within a reasonable time.
3. Try to set a budget, just for the sake of consistency. Spend money, but spend it wisely. The wood, the padding, the branding all this is quite expensive.
4. Try to visualize how you want your project to unfold. You may have access to the look of your furniture when it was new, in a catalogue or in an old photo.
Visiting museums can inspire you to carry out a restoration in the rules of the art, so at the Palace of Versailles, you can admire the sofa in the living room of the games room of Louis XVI directed by Jacob, in this room mixes with taste other furniture. The heritage of the state is very rich in many administrative buildings you can admire these works, such as this living room set of 5 convertible armchairs accompanied by its sofa.
How to clean a Louis XVI salon?
1. With vinegar and baking soda
The first option to clean a cloth sofa at home is to use vinegar and baking soda. First of all, we have to make a mixture of these two elements, but not just any way. First, fill a container with a litre of hot water, add a glass of vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Then dissolve the products and with the mixture, moisten a cloth. Then we can already use this cloth to clean the sofa, but in a specific way: with circular movements, especially in the dirtiest or stained areas. Once the solution is implemented, we must let it work. It eliminates odours and leaves no stains or haloes. Once dry, you have to vacuum.
2. With Marseille soap
In this case, take shavings of Marseille soap, the juice of a lemon and a little salt, add hot water and dissolve everything very well. Then, with a clean cloth, we rub the elaborate liquid on the stains. Finally, apply plenty of water to remove the mixture and let it dry. This formula is very effective, especially when we find grease stains, animal odors, old haloes or dull colors.
Which Chair Louis XVI choose with his sofa?
This is one of the pieces of furniture we enjoy the most because we associate it with moments of relaxation and fun, but there are so many options that we often don't know how to choose an armchair for our home or what aspects we need to consider. It is important to consider certain issues in order to make the right decision and avoid frustrations. Looking for your sofa, you may have the chance to find a pair of used shepherd chairs of the same color.
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To match your Louis XVI sofa, it is important that it is of the same style and color in terms of marquetry. The padding should be of the same color range, although it may be lighter or darker.