When commissioning a piece of furniture, there are so many styles to consider. I highly recommend that you check out some of the furniture exhibits happening around New England for inspiration.

One style that I would like to touch on is neoclassical furniture, which was very popular throughout the world during the mid-1700s and 1800s. In England, this style was often referred to as Late Georgian, and in France they called it Louis XVI style. Here in the United States, it’s sometimes referred to as Federal or Empire style.

Source: Thom Ortiz via Pinterest

Neoclassic style furniture is best described as orderly, with cleaner lines and very few swirls and curves. Despite the tidy lines that this style boasts, neoclassic furniture typically has ornate detail through delicate painting and precise carving. Much of the materials used in neoclassic furniture were new, coming from world trade, discoveries, and advances in manufacturing processes.

To learn a little more about the neoclassical look, I recommend looking to some of the most influential craftsman during the 1700s. George Hepplewhite was a prominent English cabinetmaker in the height of the popularity of neoclassical furniture. While you won’t be able to find any of his original pieces, his name is still synonymous to this day with neoclassical furniture, and a number of his designs are still being reproduced. Hepplewhite is famous for his shield-shaped chair backs.

Another influential neoclassical furniture craftsman from the 1700s in England is Thomas Chippendale. He was actually the first to publish a book that included his own designs. Other styles that Chippendale embraced included gothic and rococo.

To learn more about the neoclassical style and how you can give your custom piece this look, contact me, Richard Oedel, Fine Furniture Master.