Following the Interesting Turns of Early American Furniture

One of the best ways you have of understanding American furniture is to see the style involved as a reflection of America eclectic a blend of many different kinds of influences from around the world. Seeing American furniture as an invigorating and exciting mishmash of artistic talents, styles and influences from every corner of the world that immigrants have arrived in America from can make a lot of sense.

The American furniture style got its start when the Pilgrims first set foot on American soil in 1620 and brought a few sticks of furniture with them from the Old World. The furniture they brought took the solid and overly-serious style of the time. It was known as the Jacobean style, and it came from England. Later on, the Jacobean style became the first kind of American furniture. It was mostly oak and walnut, and you can recognize this kind of furniture today by the solidness of its build, it's simplicity of design and it's strong, squat and massive proportions.

A lot of American furniture in the Jacobean style was so thick and solid, it allowed its designers to opt for carving as opposed to inlay work. The carving was usually of geometric design. You can always instantly recognize a bed of the Jacobean style. These are intimidatingly massive four-poster beds that can be completely covered up in heavy material to keep the cold out.

But it wasn't all luxury for the Pilgrims at all. Antique furniture stores that specialize in American furniture today still keep truckle beds low, mean beds on wheels that were meant for servants or children. These were typically stored under the massive four-poster beds and pulled out when needed.

For the most part, austerity was the way life was lived in pre-Colonial America. Seating arrangements were mostly done with stools instead of chairs. Often, the stools of the time were used alternatively as tables and step stools too.

Most chairs of the early 17th century era were extremely spartan affairs. What they called armchairs for instance, offered no cushioning whatsoever. In fact, they were just side chairs with wooden arms stuck on as an afterthought. Their chairs generally came in solid back and slatted-back designs. One of the finer designs in chairs of the time, the banister back chair that was built with wide upright slats, and there was rich carving on the crest.

As conditions began to improve towards the end of the 17th century, the Restoration Period in furniture design in England began. Designs that followed these influences shortly began to show up in America. This furniture was less ponderous, lighter and a lot more richly decorated.

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