Category: Furniture History

The History of the Daybed

Beth Rice 20/10/2022

While the exact origins of the daybed are not clear, the history of the daybed can be traced throughout ancient cultures. The ancient Egyptians and Romans liked to lounge lazily while socializing and eating. The Egyptians made daybeds from palm sticks bound together to build a unit they both sat on and slept on. Other materials used for early daybeds included stone, marble and cloth. Early daybed styles in ancient Rome featured piles of plush… The History of the Daybed

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The History of the Living Room

Beth Rice 21/04/2022

How did the living room come to be? Why is it called a living room? Is a family room really a living room? How do they differ? Who knew the room we rely on each day for some relaxation could generate so many questions? Living room design really does have history behind it. Here’s how it goes. Before the Living Room While Louis the XIV lived in luxury, he didn’t necessarily live in comfort, and… The History of the Living Room

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The History of the Rocking Horse

Beth Rice 03/12/2020

In its prime, the rocking horse raced past other toys to become an envied playroom piece of its time. It was enhanced, improved and made safer over time, with its popularity skyrocketing. Then the rocking horse all but faded away, until waves of nostalgia and a longing for this old fashioned favorite once again took root. Rocking Horse History Toy animals have long been celebrated, and it has been said that the ancient Greek and… The History of the Rocking Horse

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The History of the Parsons Chair

Beth Rice 16/07/2020

The Parsons chair has got it all. It’s comfy and cool, sleek and versatile, classic and modern all at the same time. Armless without apology, upholstery that allows colors and patterns to enhance the room, and high backed with long clean lines, Parsons chairs have staying power. So where did the Parsons chair originate and why? How does it keep moving forward from its original debut in the 1930s? Let’s take a look at the… The History of the Parsons Chair

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History of the Lazy Susan

Beth Rice 08/11/2018

What Is a Lazy Susan? A Lazy Susan is a rotating tray that’s used on a table or counter to share food. It can be made of wood, glass or plastic, and it is normally round. American Made Tabletop Lazy Susan The Invention of the Lazy Susan The Lazy Susan descends from the dumbwaiter and the original inventor is hard to determine. The path to the creation of the Lazy Susan is unclear, and its… History of the Lazy Susan

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The History of French Country Furniture

Beth Rice 04/10/2018

The Birth of French Country Furniture During the 1600s, King Louis the XIV of France was on a mission. He was determined that France would become a style leader revered by all and embarked on renovating the Palace of Versailles. Only the best were employed to create, design and build for what was to be the most luxurious palace ever seen. As time went by, the masses fell in love with the lavish stylings of… The History of French Country Furniture

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The Windsor Chair Series Part III: The Undying Appeal

Beth Rice 30/08/2018

While the Windsor chair will always be associated with colonial times and country style furniture, the truth is, Windsor chairs have the “it factor.” A chair that is still beloved and sought after since 1710 has got something special going on, which brings us to the third and final part of our Windsor Chair series where we explore the question, What contributes to the undying appeal of the Windsor chair? THEY’RE LIGHTWEIGHT When they were… The Windsor Chair Series Part III: The Undying Appeal

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The Windsor Chair Series Part II: Features

Beth Rice 26/07/2018

The features of a Windsor chair contribute to its comfort, strength and style. We’re taking an up-close look at the features that make Windsor chairs look, feel and perform the way they do. What’s the basic breakdown of the Windsor form? A popular fit for country style furniture, the Windsor chair consists of spindles attached to a solid wood seat. Windsor chairs are light, durable and contoured to fit the human body. The Amish Wilton… The Windsor Chair Series Part II: Features

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The Windsor Chair Series: The Types, The Features and the Undying Appeal

Beth Rice 28/06/2018

Since 1710 the Windsor chair has been charming us. Originally used as an outdoor garden seat, the comfort and form of the Windsor chair endures. The spindles, the seat and the unique features all contribute to our fascination with Windsor furniture. Fitting in with colonial, cottage and country furniture, the Windsor’s got staying power. In this three-part Windsor Chair Series, we’re examining Windsor styles, the features that make them great and the undying appeal that… The Windsor Chair Series: The Types, The Features and the Undying Appeal

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Out of the Box: The History of Bread Box

Milca Rivera 18/01/2018

Bread. Let’s all take a moment and daydream about our favorite kind… Now I forgot what I was going to say… Just kidding! But, there is just nothing like a freshly baked, crunchy-crusted, squishy-centered, moist, easy-to-break-apart loaf of bread. However, and especially since I live in humid Florida, it’s difficult to keep bread fresh and mold-free for more than a few days. At my house, we store it in the freezer. While this helps it… Out of the Box: The History of Bread Box

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A Chat with the Windsors

Beth Rice 30/11/2017

A comfortable and functional seat, the story of the Windsor chair dates back to the start of the 18th century. To tell the tale accurately, our content writer and FAQ video host Beth Rice asked three members of the Windsor family to share a little bit of their history. Beth Rice: I’d like to welcome Bow Back Windsor, Fanback Windsor, and Comb-Back Windsor, three variations of the original Windsor chair, to our panel today. The… A Chat with the Windsors

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History of Industrial Style Furniture

Beth Rice 10/08/2017

Industrial style furniture was named after its original purpose, to support the manufacturing industry. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in 1760 and eventually spread to other parts of the world. During this time, the invention of new machines lead to the creation of factories and mass production. Workers shifted from using hand tools to operating machines, and started to need pieces like drafting tables, stools, and material handling carts. Industrial furniture was simple, practical, easy to… History of Industrial Style Furniture

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History of the Vanity Table

Beth Rice 19/07/2017

The vanity table has been dubbed many titles throughout its history including: toilet table, dressing stand, dressing table, and vanity. Early dressing stands included a folding top, cistern, and a basin drawer for light bathing and removal of cosmetics. Their widespread use was normally reserved for society’s elite. Both men and women enjoyed vanity tables. Men stored hair powders, razors, oils, and combs in them, while women used them to store cosmetics, perfumes, and hair… History of the Vanity Table

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History of the Chifforobe

Beth Rice 06/06/2017

To properly share the history of the chifforobe we have to go back in time and ask ourselves, what did we do with clothing before closets were invented? Centuries ago humans had no need for storage dedicated to clothing since they possessed so little of it. As methods for producing clothing and desirable styles developed, the need for a storage solution was born. Some early solutions included woven baskets and wood chests. Roman soldiers used… History of the Chifforobe

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History of Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Leah Meldman 18/05/2017

It was writer and art historian Cara Greenberg who first coined the term “Mid-Century Modern” in the title of her 1984 book. She recalled a design movement that remains popular today for its simple, straightforward style. But before its neat proportions and bright pops of color hit the screen in shows like Mad Men, mid-century modern furniture found its footing starting in the 1940s. Origin Hitting the scene roughly in the middle of the 20th century,… History of Mid-Century Modern Furniture

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