Antique Louis Philippe commode

Until the mid-19th century, the standard chest had either four long, or three long and two short drawers. Rarely were there any exceptions to this rule. A chest with three drawers, or a series of small upper drawers, purporting to be Georgian, will probably have been converted from a chest-on-chest or tallboy. It is true that the 18th century commode often contain two long deep drawers, but this was a much grander and more decorative piece altogether, intended for drawing rooms, not bedrooms, and in any case was usually made to stand on legs. The standard chest more... of drawers continued to be made throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries (some Edwardian pine chests even had bracket feet), but variations were introduced during the mid-Victorian period, with some chests having seven or more drawers usually a deep hat drawer and smaller glove compartments. Chests with barley-sugar twist or split bobbin-turned supports date from the mid-19th century. less...

The Louis Philippe style of furniture and decorative arts was popular in France during the reign of King Louis Philippe I, which lasted from 1830 to 1848. It is characterized by its simple, understated design, which was a departure from the more ornate styles that had been popular in previous periods.

In furniture, the Louis Philippe style is often identified by its clean lines, soft curves, and use of dark, rich woods such as mahogany, walnut, and cherry. Upholstered pieces often feature simple, plain fabrics in neutral colours like beige, grey, or brown.

In decorative arts, the Louis Philippe style more... is marked by its emphasis on natural materials and muted colours. Porcelain, glass, and metal objects were popular, as were textiles like linen and cotton. Decorative motifs were often inspired by nature, with themes such as leaves, flowers, and animals.

In summary, the Louis Philippe style is known for its elegance, simplicity, and emphasis on craftsmanship over showiness. less...