Louwee Louwee, Oh Yes, me gotta buy

France only had 18 Kings named Louis, no wonder

for the confusion when you start talking styles of

furniture.

Two of my favorite are Louis XV and Louis XVI.

Could be due to the feminine influence and taste of

Madame Pompadour and Marie Antoinette..

Thanks ladies.

I also like the styles because they blend so well

with Rustic or the more sumptuous Romantic.

So which ever direction your heart strings

pull, you just can't make decorating blunders when

you include these pieces.

Both Kings reigned during the 18th century.

Louis XV (1715-1774) reigned during the

period that corresponds to Queen Anne and

Chippendale in America and Georgian in England.

Furniture designers at that time

worked at the Kings request and in an effort to keep

their livelihood, worked to create more beautiful

pieces. Enter Rococco. The term Rococco is

derived from the French word rocaille,

meaning rock and shell garden ornamentation.

The movement portrays motifs of romance,

shells, flowing vegetation, scrolls and curves.

The new freedom, informality, and desire for

comfort is perhaps best expressed in seating

furniture, including the armchair en cabriolet,

an upholstered chair with cabriole, or S-curved,

legs; the winged chair known as a bergère; and

the two- or three-part duchesse-brisée, or daybed.

Louis XVI (1774-1793) This style was inspired

by the rediscovery of Pompeii in Italy and the

return of neoclassicism.

Georgian was still the style in England and

in America the styles were Chippendale and

Federal.

Straight lines, simplicity and delicacy are trademarks.

Rectangular spaces with classic emblems adorned

and legs became straight and fluted.

The motifs of the time were rosettes, garlands,

festoons, and laurel leaves.

The demi-lune debuted during this period.

Many of the pastel painted pieces I find are Louis XVI.

There are more Louis you know, but for now

those two will do.

They also seem to be the most popular in

Country French Decor.

As for the types of wood, there are many.

One of my favorites is walnut (noyer) in French.

French oak (chene) is also nicer than American. The

grain is a bit finer and much of it came from

the Black Forest.

Many of the painted pieces are birch.

Whatever the wood, rest assured, that the French

made some of the finest furniture in the world.

If your looking for a Louis XV or XVI piece,

be sure to give us a call. We have a large selection

since it happens to be just one of my many

weak spots!

Have a Great 4th of July!