Federal Style Furniture Characteristics

Federal style furniture is timeless elegant and classic and can work with many different interior design styles.

Federal style furniture characteristics.

Characteristics of federal furniture. This kind of furniture takes its inspiration from period european designs but is also distinctly american. Federal furniture was at its peak between 1780 1820 in american society and it derived its main inspiration from the neoclassical style that was simultaneously the trend in europe. We can picture our luciana pedestal table holding court in any of these homes.

The name federal remained due to the period in which it was popular but the furniture has british origins. Pieces in this style are characterized by their sharply. During those subsequent decades when america was in its infancy the country was not only defining its government but also its way of life. Named after london designer and cabinetmaker george hepplewhite 1768 whose the cabinet maker and upholsterers guide was published posthumously by his wife alice in 1788 hepplewhite furniture dates from about 1780 1810.

The pedestal base and curving saber legs were popular features on large dining tables during the federal period. Some federal styled homes have been made larger modified with projecting wings attached dependencies or even both. Notable furniture makers who worked in the federal style included duncan phyfe and charles honoré lannuier it was influenced by the georgian and adam styles and was superseded by the american empire style. The federal furniture style is known as such only in america.

Federal style flourished in the homes of affluent families in the large port cities such as new york boston philadelphia charleston and baltimore. Typically a federal style house is a simple square or rectangular box two or three stories high and two rooms deep. Outside of its borders it is known as neoclassical since it shares very similar characteristics with european neoclassical furniture. It is characterized by graceful straight lines light construction tapered legs inlay and contrasting veneers.

The term federal references the period following the revolutionary war rather than one specific style of furniture. This was the federal style. Federal style furniture remains an influential style for modern furniture designers. Its distinct characteristics make it a firm favorite even today.

Federal furniture refers to american furniture produced in the federal period which lasted from approximately 1789 to 1823.