Different Types of Furniture Styles

Different Types of Furniture Styles
By Charlie
Gold Coast University
June, 13-06-2018
Abstract - There are plenty of different styles of furniture on the market, but with so many terms
getting thrown around it’s hard to know what is what! Here we have broken down the most commonly
used terms to give you a hand with choosing your ideal furniture style.
Read on to get tips on how to recognize the differences between furniture styles that are often confused:
1. Antique vs. Vintage
2. Traditional vs. Rustic
3. Art Deco vs. Retro
4. Shabby Chic vs. French provincial
5. Modern vs. Contemporary
1. Antique vs. Vintage
Antique furniture includes pieces from an earlier period. It is often crafted out of wood and its age,
condition, unique features and rarity determine how collectible the piece is and therefore, how high its
value. Genuine antiques are, by definition, at least 100 years old and often have to be purchased from
experienced dealers to guarantee authenticity.
Vintage furniture on the other hand is between twenty and one hundred years old and is easily
recognisable as belonging to a particular period within that time. Once you know what you’re looking for,
spotting it is easier than it sounds!
2. Traditional vs. Rustic
Traditional furniture is formal furniture from the Victorian period. It combines features from the Queen
Anne period – graceful and elaborately decorated, Chippendale style – artistic embellishment and

straightened out lines and Sheraton style – delicate pieces with tapered legs and contrasting inlays.
Together this creates a comfortable and warm environment with hand crafted, dark timber pieces, over
stuffed, plush sofas and elegant fabrics.
Rustic style furniture is influenced by many different styles coming together to create warm, natural and
honest interiors. If furniture is rustic it will often be made of a warm timber or a natural material like
animal hide, cotton or linen. It has a worn and homely appearance and is often more relaxed then formal.
Scandinavian and industrial furniture design are usually synonymous with being rustic.
3. Art Deco vs. Retro
Art Deco is an eclectic style that combines Machine Age imagery and materials with traditional crafts.
The style is characterized by geometric and angular shapes, materials like chrome, glass, shiny fabrics,
mirrors and mirror tiles as well as stylized images of aeroplanes, cars and skyscrapers. With the success
of The Great Gatsby movie and TV series like Boardwalk Empire, Art Deco is back in full force.
Retro furniture can be harder to define. When we think of Retro design we usually conjure up ideas of
mod, geometric shapes in teal, yellow and brown or flashbacks to the kitchen from the Brady Bunch with
its tulip table and orange splash back. Technically, retro furniture design is defined as aspects of modern
culture which imitate trends, modes and fashions of the recent past which had come to be unfashionable.
4. Shabby Chic vs. French provincial
French provincial furniture is exactly what its title depicts. Characterised by the styles popular in the
French provinces in the 17th and 18th century, this furniture style has a classic yet country feel to it.

Ladder back dining chairs with woven seats, simple scalloped carving, large armoires or French
sideboards with decorative moldings are all key features of this style.
Shabby Chic furniture, while similar, is more casual and often has a distressed appearance. The Furniture
is typically white with a feminine and romantic feel. Like French provincial, this style originated from
country houses but incorporates more up-cycling and salvaging of furniture.
5. Modern vs. Contemporary
Modern furniture originated under the modernist movement in the early 1900’s. It often combines leather,
vinyl, steel, moulded plywood and plastics with a monochromatic colour scheme to create sleek and
stylish interiors. Big name designers like Herman Miller, Hans Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames are the
faces for this design era and you’ll often find replicas of their modern furniture designs on the market
today. The Barcelona chair is a timeless example of modern design.
Modern furniture design is a defined style and will always refer to the modernist period of time,
contemporary furniture design however, refers to furniture that is popular and used now, in the present.
Furniture will often be described as “modern and contemporary”, which is where the confusion comes in
between these two styles.
Now you’ve got the difference between the various styles sorted, we’ve pulled
together some buying tips and additional information on each of the styles:
Antique furniture
Vintage furniture
Retro furniture
Art deco furniture

French provincial style furniture
Modern furniture
Contemporary furniture
Antique furniture
Whether you’re a collector, bargain hunter or mere browser, antique shopping can prove a treasure trove
for quirky, unique and collectible items. Keep your eyes peeled and you could find a Georgian mahogany
chest of drawers for the same price as a flat-pack equivalent from a certain Scandinavian megastore. Out
with the new, in with the old, we say! Don’t know where to start? Use this 10-point guide to steer you in
the right direction.
1. Trust your gut and your eye
Buy what you love, not what you think will make you money. Avoid slavishly following trends and
second-guessing the market, as you may have to live with the item for a long time. If you happen to be
like me, drawn to fascinating yet fairly useless objects like taxidermieshares and mismatched cut-crystal
glasses, then so be it. There’s a fine line between ugly and amazing.
2. Get out of town
Everyone knows antique centres and vintage bazaars get better the further you get out of any major city.
Victory Theatre Antique Centre in Blackheath, Antiques & Collectables on Darby in Cooks Hill and
Newcastle’s Centenary Antique and Rare Find Country Antiques are just a few of our favourites, with a
pick-n-mix of pieces crammed into every inch of space, much like your nana’s living room. We also have
a hit list for regional Victoria. And don’t limit it to brick-and-mortar stores. If you happen to be there on a
weekend, you can usually get a good deal with an amateur dealer at a car boot sale or jumble sale.
3. Be wary of certain words
If something is described as Louis XV “style” or “inspired”, you’re not buying a mid-18th-century
French original, but a shabby chic rococo rip-off. “Limited edition” is another phrase that has been
overused to the point of meaninglessness. The piece could easily have been “limited” to a million. Be
sure to clarify before laying down any cash.
4. Play the singles game
Looking for chairs? Steering clear of sets can save you hundreds, even thousands. Dealers don’t know
what to do with single chairs so often sell them for cheap. Over time, you can create a harmonious
harlequin set, selecting items from the same time period for an eclectic yet customised look when placed
around the dining table.
5. Ask key questions
Beyond “Do you love it?”, ask things like: “How rare is this particular item?”, “Is it a good example of its
type?”, “Is it in good condition?”, “Is it by a notable maker or designer?”, “Are there any unexplained
bolts, screws, stains or signs of repair?” Get in there and really examine it from every angle. Also, asking
a lot of questions can get the seller into a frame of mind that makes them want to close the deal while
they’re doing a lot of explaining.
6. Barter smarter

The people who deal in antique wares are usually addicts. That is to say, they’re keen to sell what they
have and make room for more antiques. Haggling is a worthy pursuit, but don’t short-circuit the
negotiation by going too low. If an item’s priced at $200, for example, go in with $150 and they’ll
probably counteroffer $175. A 10 per cent reduction is almost always expected. If in doubt, ask them to
put the item on hold. If you’re willing to pay a few hundred (or thousand) dollars for it, chances are
they’ll be willing to wait.
7. Trust your dealer
A good antiques dealer will know the history behind an item, take their time to explain any imperfections
and should be happy to take it back if you get it home and aren’t 100 per cent happy. Their job requires
them to be a bit of a teacher, historian and storyteller.
8. Auctions for beginners
If you buy antiques at auction, keep in mind that the estimate price in the catalogue does not include the
buyer’s premium, which is usually in the region of 20 per cent. Also, make a plan for transportation
before you decide on an object. The auction house will usually only hold it for a few days.
9. Do your homework
Learn about what you’re buying. Visit collections and dealers, attend auctions, read up, talk to experts,
and even go to museums to get a sense of period pieces. Know as much as you can about a particular field
so you can make an informed decision as to items and price. There are also online valuation services and
iPhone apps such as this one making it quicker and easier to find out how much something’s worth.
10. Enjoy them
Collect what is beautiful and precious, but also useable. Quality and liveability should go hand in hand, so
use every piece as it was intended. Their mere existence proves they were built to last.
Vintage furniture
There’s something very appealing about buying vintage fabric or a preloved piece of furniture – it’s often
cheaper than buying them new, and pieces that are aged with time and marked by the hands of those who
cherished them before us can give our homes added personality. However, buying vintage homewares
can be daunting, especially if you’re not the type who enjoys scouring dusty op-shops in search of elusive
treasure, then taking the risk that it will fit in with your decor – or even last the journey home.
The good news is that the traditional approach to buying vintage furniture and accessories is changing.
Gone are the poky corner shops and the ‘take it as it comes’ mentality. Many companies now showcase
their wares in inspiring settings, and will also restore and modify furniture, accessories and soft
furnishings to create a perfect fit for your home. To further ease the transition, many vintage pieces can
be given a contemporary makeover to suit your interior style.
Rescued treasures
It takes a certain kind of person to get excited about doors, but Brooke Crowle and Tim McGuigan’s
unbridled passion for salvaged objects, decorative doors and architectural hardware is good news for

enovators. Based in Gold Coast’s Leichhardt, their sprawling warehouse and showroom, Architectural &
Antique Elements, is filled with exquisite antique and vintage doors, shuttered windows, grilles and
fireplaces from around the world.
Keen travellers, the pair picks up items on trips around Australia and during visits to France, India and
South America. “We came back from a holiday in France to find that our photos consisted solely of
pictures of doors,” laughs Brooke.
The shop is a renovator’s paradise – and is particularly popular in light of the current trend for infusing
contemporary interiors with unusual vintage pieces. Here you’ll find huge decorative doors from a French
chateau, stunning Venetian windows and imposing cast-iron fireplaces. But what takes the shop from the
fantastical to the practical is a comprehensive restoration and modification service, which takes place in
the on-site workshop or is outsourced to a network of specialist craftspeople. Doors and grilles can be
levelled and trimmed to size, re-finished and re-painted using traditional methods, and refitted with new
handles and hinges that match the originals. Tables and cabinets can be modified with new tops, shelves
and drawers, you can bring in your old mirrors to be re-gilded, or even have a front door or fireplace fully
restored.
The process of incorporating older fittings and furniture into a contemporary setting is not always
straightforward, and as Tim admits, “There’s a fine line between rubbish and a beautifully aged piece.”
But it’s certain that this team will continue to be driven by their enthusiasm, and to search for seductive
items that will stand the test of time.
Updating design
When David Page studied industrial design in London, he couldn’t picture himself “designing washing
machines and colostomy bags”. It was his love of antique and classical furniture that led him to his true
vocation – redesigning classic pieces with a contemporary twist – and so davidmetnicole (named after his
Australian-born wife and business partner, Nicole) was born.
The two met while working at a chain of antiques stores in London, and brought their design concept –
and list of contacts from the Notting Hill antiques mecca, Portobello Road – to Sydney in 1992. Most of
their pieces are sourced in the UK, and they still can’t contain their delight when a container of furniture,
fabrics and accessories arrives on our shores. “It’s just like Christmas morning,” says Nicole.
Fans of David and Nicole’s imaginative designs flock to their Surry Hills shop for desirables such as
1930s wing chairs backed with Union Jack flags, mid-century cabinets lined with vintage wallpaper and
maps, and imaginative lighting. While reconditioned vintage pieces account for a significant part of the
stock, David also produces contemporary versions of classic designs, such as traditional leather armchairs
and Chesterfield sofas. “Chairs invariably come in leather or cream,” he says, “but to us, they can be as
exciting as a fabulous coat.” To prove the point, newer pieces can be upholstered in everything from
tweed and pinstriped suiting fabrics to textured linens.
Many items can be tweaked to suit your scheme, whether it’s by way of colour, decoration or material. “I
want people to fall in love with my designs,” says David, “and still love them in fifty years’ time.”
Soft style
In every interior designer’s address book there are a few secrets they’d rather not divulge, and Decorating
Recycled is one of them. This one-stop decorating shop run by Jill Casey offers used soft furnishings
from all the big names – Jane Churchill, Colefax and Fowler, and Warner Fabrics, to name a few – at a

fraction of the original price. Better still, an on-site alteration service allows you to customise curtains,
upholstery fabrics and bedheads.
Jill left an office job to pursue her passion for vintage furnishings seven years ago and was joined by
business partner Prue Gardiner two years later. Prue focused on the decorating side, offering advice on
styling homes, and has recently set up her own business – PG Interiors.
While Decorating Recycled is best known for its vintage curtains and upholstery fabrics, an eclectic mix
of second-hand furniture and accessories is also available. Lighting is another key area, as Decorating
Recycled can fit old and new lamps with custom-made shades.
The double-fronted shop in Gold Coast’s Rose Bay has a relaxed atmosphere and you can easily spend
hours picking your way through an interesting mix of vintage finds. The business is run on a consignment
basis, so whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Decorating Recycled is one address worth holding on to.
Retro furniture
Retro furniture can very quickly be confused with art deco furniture or even vintage furniture, and it
would seem that the jury is largely out when it comes to defining distinguishing features. Indeed, it may
appear that some retro furniture items could be classified as vintage, or art deco and vice versa.
Another way you may wish to define retro furniture is to consider it as reviving the goldies from the
oldies! Perhaps think of retro furniture as being anything that was created since your grandparents’
heyday and might have undergone a bit of a revival to find its cool once more.
When we think of retro, we think of that ageing vinyl sofa down the back of the second- hand shop; it’s
something that just needs a bit of a spruce-up, some TLC, and it’s revived. It’s retro. It’s back in.
As the saying goes, everything that was old is new again, and we love that about retro furniture!
Art deco furniture
With Art Deco making a come back on TV shows like The Block and in renovations like Gold Coast’s
The Oaks Hotel, one of a kind antique pieces are hot property. But, where do you start if you want to
build your own collection?
Expert and dealer, Dianne Pickett from Artedeco is showcasing her furniture from the era at the Gold
Coast Antiques and Art Fair this weekend.
"Art Deco has been a popular style for a long time", Dianne says. "Films like the Great Gatsby and TV
shows like Mad Men have made it more popular as everyone loves the glamour of this era.
"I have always been interested in Art Deco", she says. "I collected pieces from the 1920s to the '60s and
then, 15 years ago, I made the decision to become a dealer."
Here are her top tips from buying Art Deco like a pro...
Look for pieces that work anywhere

"Large statement pieces such as sideboards and cocktail bars are very popular at the moment. Also
standout quirky pieces which can fit into any interior such as coffee tables, sofas and movable bar
cabinets."
Snap up something you won't find online
"Pieces from the 1920's through to the '60's represent individual design and quality that you won't find in
your everyday homeware store. Whether it be a piece of jewellery from the 1920's, a vintage handbag or
dress, a lamp or piece of furniture, you want something that stands out and is meaningful to you."
Fall in love with what you buy
"You need to choose something you really love to take home with you. Remember: all the pieces are
individual, so if you see something you like then this may be your only opportunity to purchase it."
Choose a statement piece
"Art Deco is often quite geometric, so use it as feature piece for a space with other modern pieces around
it. Lighting and decorative objects like statues are a great way to add accents to the room."
French provincial style furniture
The reason why French country décor experienced such a revival in the twentieth century and why it
continues to be popular today is quite simple: This type of home décor is achievable, practical, beautiful
and still elegant. French country style is based on the lifestyle of the South of France. Inspired by rustic
country life, domestic farming and farmhouses, country French décor uses rich details like stone floors,
plastered walls and soft colour palettes.
The influence of French country decorating ideas has a long pedigree. During the reign of Louis XIV,
Marie Antoinette had a country cottage and manor houses built at Versailles. Even with all the ornate
décor of the palace at her disposal, she chose the rustic simplicity of country life during her leisure time.
In the early 1800s, there was a renewed interest in Gothic and picturesque artwork, which included
weathered country landscapes. Today, popular Cape Cod and Hampton styles are influenced by the
symmetrical and pastoral simplicity of French provincial design.
Understanding Provincial French Style Decorating
What are some of the hallmarks of French country décor? This style is all about a few key features.
Warm and Inviting
There’s cosiness to this style. There is no aloofness or pretentiousness; instead, there is a focus on usable,
everyday finery.
Personal
French country homes were lived in, and today’s homes inspired by the same aesthetic are meant to
reflect the personality and the history of the owner. French style usually incorporates history and family –
heirlooms and personal mementoes on display create an authenticity & connection with the past.

All about opposites
French country décor is pastoral, elegant, luxurious and charming. Even though it’s heavily rooted in an
agricultural lifestyle, there is a strong sense of elegance and luxury, quality and simplicity.
Cohesive
A true provincial-style home is one with French country touches throughout. There are not a lot of
different influences incorporated into the décor or any eclectic fashion.
Choosing the Right Materials
When decorating in the French-country style, use the right materials. Most should be natural materials in
a raw or natural state. For example:
Untreated or weathered wood and timbers
Porcelain
Stone
Ceramic
Linen
Wicker
Stay away from plastics and man-made materials. Minimalist and very glossy styles don’t translate to
French-country chic, and neither do busy patterns. Something like ceramic floor tiles are far more
appropriate than linoleum, for instance. The idea is to embrace natural, quality and long-lasting products.
Fabrics are also very important when it comes to French-country style furniture. Decorating with window
treatments, linens and rugs creates a softer look. It’s also very aligned with 17th and 18th century French
country life, when thicker fabrics were used generously in winter months for warmth.
Again, look for natural and less-treated fabrics. Thick cottons and linen, especially in soft white, rich
blue, grey or neutral colours looks wonderful. Fine embroidery and texturized fabrics work well, and
woven or nubby wools look great with this décor, too. In general, stay away from very bright colours and
busy fabrics; they don’t reflect the simplicity and strong sense of style present in French manors in the
countryside.
French Provincial Décor Motifs: What To Look For
Small details are what take your home from merely “country” to the refined elegance of French-country
style. What are these small details that make a big difference? Embroidery and metallic or coppery
finishes (especially in the kitchen) add a country feel while still maintaining that sophisticated edge
separating French-country from most rustic styles. For example, copper pots in a pastoral kitchen are a
great touch. Fine white-on-white or blue-on-white embroidery on linen bedspreads in the bedroom add
beautiful French chic to your home as well.
French country furniture and décor also uses some traditional patterns and motifs, including:
The Fleur de Lis
Vines
Olives
Lavender

Wheat
Bees
Inspired by the landscape in the South of France, these themes look great in your home when mixed with
the other elements of French style. Wallpaper with a vine pattern or tiles with a tasteful Fleur de Lis
design place your décor firmly in French provincial style without being overwhelming. Since the
provincial style is homey but well-designed, avoid using very bold prints or too many patterns. Subtle
designs used occasionally go a long way.
You might not have picked the architecture of your home, but you can add cornices or skirting boards to
various areas if you want the traditional moulding look that’s common in older rural French manors.
Select The Right Colours for French-Style Decorating
The base colours of most country homes in the South of France are soft and natural. They are generally
used to reflect the surrounding landscape.
Look for colours such as:
Whites
Creams
Earth tones (taupe greys, olive, sage)
Weathered Metallic hues
Many provincial wallpapers or wall colours embrace this softer palette. French country furniture, linens
and curtains should all be from this range of colours as well.
However, contrast is a big part of French style, so many country manors in France made use of stronger
colours such as cobalt blue, russet red, raspberry or maroon to add some excitement to the palette. Use
pillows, trims and French country homewares in these contrasting shades to add a pop of excitement and
break up the more subdued colours.
Modern furniture
Modern furniture is furniture produced from the late 19th century on wards, under the influence of the
Modernist movement. It is distinctive and highly prized- and very collectible.
When this furniture was first produced, it was a shock to furniture fans. It was a big departure from more
traditional furniture forms - now Antique forms - that used heavy, dark wood and ornate carving.
The designers of the Classic Modernist movement used new materials- steel, molded plywood and even
plastic to create furniture that was dramatically different. A chair suddenly mimicked the curves of the
human body. A coffee table might now have one elegant curving central leg rather than the traditional
four legs. A dining table might now be made from glass with a mirror-like chrome frame. A couch or sofa
was suddenly angular, and covered in leather.
These radical changes heralded an entirely new period of design that still appears fresh and bold today.
Today, the majority of Modern furniture pieces on the market are reproductions. These can be very close

to the originals and can be hard to spot. The major difference here is price. You’ll easily figure out if what
you’re being offered is genuine - if it sounds too good to be too, it probably is.
Despite that if you’re comfortable with a reproduction and the originals are out of your reach - and you’re
comfortable with the ethics of purchasing a knock-off design- you can always fake it till you make it!
Otherwise you might want to start with purchasing low-end originals, or smaller fixtures like a lamp or
clock, while you save up for that original modernist piece.
Contemporary furniture
Contemporary style furniture can be really difficult to define, apart from saying it is furniture designed
and made in recent times, and by that might mean anything from the late 20th century up until today! The
level of creativity and the variety of materials available mean that contemporary furniture, which might
also be referred to as modern furniture, is unlikely to be pigeon holed. Despite this, it is probably fair to
say that contemporary or modern furniture often looks ‘clean’ – lines are simple, uncomplicated, and the
overall appearance tends to be fresh. For this reason, contemporary and modern furniture can lend itself
beautifully to other interior design periods; it tends not to overpower rooms and can look equally at home
in retro surrounds as it might alongside art deco furnishings, for example.
A significant benefit of contemporary furniture, apart from its ability to blend with and complement an
array of other periods, is its widespread appeal. If for example, you intend to furnish an investment
property, then it would be advisable to err on the side of caution and seek out contemporary or modern
furniture. It is a similar logic to that of painting the inside of an investment property white; it’s more of a
blank canvas that has a stronger chance of appealing to a greater cross section of the population.
Conclusion
All different types of woods have unique signature marks that can help in easy identification of the type.
Both hardwoods and softwoods are used in furniture manufacturing, and each have their own specific
uses. Most commonly, quality furniture is made out of hardwood which is made from oak, maple,
mahogany, teak, walnut, cherry and birch. Highest quality wood will have been air dried to rid it of its
moisture.
References
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