| Create a country cottage look in your home by | | | | result is a look that's clean and unfussy, but |
| following one of these guides, or mix and match the | | | | well-crafted. |
| styles to create a look entirely yours. There are no | | | | Mission Style/Arts and Crafts (1880-1910)-The Arts and |
| rules when it comes to these eclectic American | | | | Crafts style, also known as Mission style, played a |
| designs. | | | | hugely significant role in furniture design in the late 19th |
| Early American/Colonial (1640-1700)-The most | | | | and early 20th century. The Arts and Crafts |
| elementary time in American furniture, the Early | | | | movement focused on functionality and the belief |
| American style was utilitarian and manufactured from | | | | things were meant to be used. While the philosophy |
| local materials, including indigenous woods like maple, | | | | seems to set-up decades of fabulously boring furniture, |
| walnut and pine. English styles were either simplified in | | | | it was anything but. Rather, Arts and Crafts furniture |
| the colonies or brought from overseas to furnish | | | | was beautifully designed, with manufacturers relying on |
| homes of the period. However, some important | | | | exquisite craftsmanship and finishing techniques to add |
| American innovations, like the iconic rocking chair, were | | | | serene elegance to an item. Joints, such as the |
| developed during this time and would go on to become | | | | ubiquitous mortise and tenon joint of the time, were in |
| well-loved additions in country homes today. Other | | | | clear view and enhanced an otherwise simple |
| furniture pieces commonly found in the Early American | | | | appearance. Wood was often quarter-sawed for the |
| style home include trestle tables, canopy beds, | | | | lovely way it presented the wood grain, and nails were |
| cupboards, and chairs with ladder backs and rush or | | | | usually hammered in by hand, with gleaming nail heads |
| cane seats. Pennsylvania | | | | complementing upholstery. Wood slats, stretchers and |
| Dutch/Amish (1720-1830)-Infused with Germanic | | | | handcrafted hinges of pewter and copper further |
| influences, Pennsylvania Dutch furniture was simple | | | | embellished, without ostentation, these masterworks. |
| and practical. Colorful accents came from folk painting | | | | Southwestern-Rich colors of the Southwest landscape |
| applied to the case goods. | | | | provide warmth and joyful spirit to this style. Furniture is |
| Shaker (1820-1860)-Constructed by a religious group in | | | | more basic and naturalistic and makes frequent use of |
| the United States by the same name, Shaker furniture | | | | mortise and tenon joints. The look is enhanced by |
| exhibited a spare, straightforward design. The solid | | | | turquoise or silver accents. Full achievement of a |
| wood pieces were light in color with smooth and | | | | Southwestern look may require some Navajo rugs |
| tapered lines, woven chair seats, rounded wooden | | | | and other indigenous accents. |
| knobs, and proportioned for optimal functionality. The | | | | |