If you are passionate about antiques and art objects, the restoration style is for you. This article will help you identify restoration furnishings. The restoration style appeared at the beginning of the 19th century with the arrival of King Louis XVIII in power. During his reign Louis XVIII created his own personality to move away from the Empire style, so he made a change on the restoration furnishings.
The restoration style: always in vogue
Furniture is mainly built by exotic and dark woods such as mahogany, but craftsmen also use local species such as maple, cherry, elm, ash or walnut. The furniture has a particular style that gradually emerges from the straight lines. The restoration seats have a back in an arc, frog leg-shaped legs that has become a symbol of the restoration style. The cabinetmakers have put all his know-how to have quality and chic buildings.
The catering chair: stylish fabric upholstery furniture
There are several models, others are adorned with lotus leaves and others illustrate by wolves. We have a wide choice on the back side, the chair can have a gondola back, rounded or even flat. It has lacrosse and winding accotoirs. But there are also the accotoirs padded by fabrics sometimes surrounded by a leather strap, can also be found in the shape of a console. The front feet of the chair have a frog leg appearance while the hind feet have a straight shape.
The empire-era armchair: furniture with a diverse tapestry
Empire armchairs are real works of art with these sculptures that decorate them, accotoirs adorned with mules, dolphins, swan or lion's head. The more elegant model is distinguished by bronze sphinges or cariatids. It is also designed by mahogany woods, thick in shape often colored in gold or simply brushed. The feet of the front chair is oriented in sheath is finished in the form of claw or hoof. The back feet remain simple. The backs are always rectangular and crushed. this type of seat is also known Napoleon III armchair which is often the same seat. An old chair can sell for several thousand euros, buying a copy can be a good choice.
The executive-era chair
Another old-style interior decoration very trendy in the years 1785 to 1803. Today it is still in fashion. The chair and executive chair has a special shape and a very remarkable design. The executive chair is also made from exotic woods. The back of the chair can be square, baluster, butt... the feet can have different styles like baluster feet, shank yelegs and the posterior remains tense. The baluster-shaped accotoirs, inverted cavet... they are often decorated with antique sculptures. It is often found in large events.
The Voltaire chair: nice to relax
The Voltaire chair was in vogue in the 19th century, the name Voltaire came from the name of a French philosopher writer. According to history, the philosopher's favourite chair for relaxing is similar to the Voltaire chair. It is a very convenient chair, because it is well padded, with extended accotoirs, inverted top back, deep seat, and spring seating. At first it is intended for the sick and the elderly. The chair is a bit simple with dark-coloured flower adornments, but very comfortable.
The dining sofa: luxurious and comfortable
Furniture inspired from the armchair, there are different models of sofa restoration in the back can be arched or in the shape of a sword. The feet always in the shape of a frog's leg that highlights the restoration style. He can be six to eight feet, depending on his measurement. The accotoirs keep the style as a crosser. To bring out its charm, the craftsmen put sculptures of swans in flight or dolphins a little discreet in some models.
The restoration style is directly inspired by the Empire era, so the lounges have seats that are often mistaken for Empire sofas.
How to recognize a piece of furniture from the restoration era?
Not all furniture that has an old style is necessarily authentic. You have to look carefully and gather more information about the characteristic of an old piece of furniture before you buy it. For example, pegs, mortaises, or studs are used to join restoration furniture. If you find a studded or screwed assembly then, the furniture is a simple reproduction, or already renovate. Our reproductions are of great quality with assemblages of studs and mortaises as before. You can easily tell the difference with a louis XV armchair, this one has curves and mouldings on its structure, while the Louis Philippe model has a sober line without sculptures or ornaments.
If you need furniture restorations to decorate the living room, your restaurant, or even put it in a club, or in the bar, I advise you to buy from antique shops. But sometimes the furniture needs to be restored, repairing the tapestry or even the seat.