9. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis Philippe
Louis Philippe reigned from 1830 to 1848. He had fled France during the French Revolution of 1789 when his father, Louis XVI, was beheaded. Louis Philippe lived in exile for 21 years, during which he travelled through Europe and North-America. He supposedly never stayed somewhere for more than 48 hours. Louis Philippe’s regime, known as the July Monarchy, was a liberal constitutional monarchy and he was referred to as Le Roi Citoyen, King of the People. After the French Revolution of 1848, he fled Paris in disguise, calling himself Mr. Smith. He lived in a mansion in Surrey, England, until his death in 1850. Louis Philippe survived seven assassination attempts.
Furniture style: Louis Philippe
The bourgeois Louis-Philippe style gives rise to very comfortable and sturdy pieces with a sober decorative aspect. Craftsmen create a style adapted to the middle-class. The first machines appear: mechanic sawing is one of these novelties, and glue is used more often. The style is very sober and focuses on comfort and sturdiness. It favours mahogany veneering and woods like walnut and cherry. The carving disappears almost completely. The tables and seat legs are usually moulded. The umbrella foot is a novelty.
The Louis Philippe style, marks a transition from the more formal and ornate styles of the preceding eras to a simpler, more approachable aesthetic. Furniture tends to be straightforward and is less embellished. The goal was to achieve harmony in design without excessive ornamentation.
Louis Philippe furniture often included practical storage solutions. Dressers, armoires, and cabinets were designed with functional drawers and compartments to meet the needs of the growing middle class.
Furniture was typically finished in warm wood tones, contributing to a welcoming and homey atmosphere. Chairs and sofas featured padded seats and backs, providing a level of comfort that appealed to a broader audience.
Mirror Frames
Mirrors in the Louis Philippe style often had simple wooden frames without elaborate detailing. The emphasis was on functionality rather than ornate decoration.
The Louis Philippe Furniture style reflects a period of social and economic change, with an emphasis on practicality, simplicity, and a departure from the excesses of earlier styles. It gained popularity due to its affordability and accessibility. It catered to a broader audience, including the rising middle class, making stylish furniture more attainable.
