| The genre of furniture traditionally conceived as "Louis | | | | in part the 'gustavian' furniture style that draws heavily |
| XVI" is inspired by the pieces from the fertile reign of | | | | in part on the French louis xvi. |
| Louis XVI of france. The explosion of design that was | | | | The furniture style he inspired uses the same gilt wood |
| enabled by his court at Versailles created a new | | | | finishes and cane carving as the French originals but |
| phenomenon and so is seen as French in origin. | | | | are much more understated and less 'bling'. There are |
| It is utterly beautiful and highly stylized with intricate | | | | detailed carvings on the arms, rose carvings at the top, |
| carvings, upholstery and giltwork. The design | | | | deliciously fluted hand turned legs and dramatic silk |
| movement produced chairs, carver chairs, mirrors, | | | | upholstery. |
| tables, beds, chest of drawers and other types of | | | | Many pieces were not just gold gilt but white painted |
| furniture that has been much copied in the modern | | | | with red and gold detailings with horsehair stuffed |
| reproduction industry - the copies have lost the | | | | upholstery, flax webbing and wooden lugs in place of |
| elegance though of the original pieces as factory | | | | screws - this is one way to date 1800s furniture. |
| produced furniture can never match the innate beauty | | | | Chairs especially were held together by wooden lugs |
| in hand carved originals. | | | | and screws were not really used until the 1900's. |
| The Swedish 'Louis XVI' style of furniture on the other | | | | Sofas can be oval backed, square backed, with |
| hand draws inspiration from its French counterpart but | | | | straight or curved arms and can seat 2-6 people |
| has subtle differences with its infusion of Swedish | | | | depending on the size. They also can be found in a |
| culture and ethos. Sweden has always had a more | | | | range of complexity from very simple to extremely |
| relaxed and less 'in your face' approach to its design | | | | intricately carved. You will usually find them as part of |
| and this is reflected in the adaption of the louis xvi style | | | | a set including a pair of carver chairs, a pair of chairs |
| to the Swedish palette by Swedish craftsmen. | | | | and often a table. |
| The great Swedish King Carl Gustav spent time at | | | | The beauty of this Swedish louis xvi style is in its |
| Louis xvi court in Versailles before he ascended the | | | | elegance and visual appeal. The build quality is also |
| throne in the late 1700s - the period of his reign until | | | | excellent and they make very comfortable usable |
| 1800 is known as the 'Swedish age of enlightenment' | | | | furniture that can add a real twist to modern interior |
| for the cultural renaissance it produced. This spawned | | | | design especially when combined with unusual fabrics. |