| French design is one of the most popular elements in | | | | reflect the magnitude of his ego. Large, showy |
| the world of antique furniture. By the mid-1960s, | | | | pieces were produced, with the design changing |
| these characteristics had traveled to North America, | | | | significantly from that of Louis XIV and XV. Furniture |
| influencing the French Canadian furniture scene. | | | | created during this time became known as the |
| There, the earliest furniture makers were skilled in | | | | Empire style. Empire pieces do not contain any |
| carpentry but were not considered cabinetmakers, | | | | carvings but, instead, feature wood veneers and |
| producing some of the finest pieces of furniture in | | | | metal accents. A popular addition to Empire furniture |
| history. | | | | was the use of metal decorations - often inspired by |
| Many furniture styles followed the examples set by | | | | Egyptian history - called ormolus. |
| the original French pieces of the Louis periods. | | | | As time progressed, many woodworkers returned to |
| Although Louis XV is considered one of the worst | | | | the time-honoured Louis styles. French Canadian |
| kings in the history of France, his reign changed the | | | | designers were no exception. As the 19th Century |
| world of furniture design. Some of the most | | | | approached, the most common woods used in |
| intricately detailed furniture resulted from this time | | | | French Canadian furniture construction were pine, |
| frame and many pieces are quite valuable. | | | | birch and butternut. Although maple trees were |
| Louis XV furniture features graceful, curvaceous lines. | | | | plentiful, the wood was too hard to be used in |
| It represents a very free style that is romantic and | | | | regular furniture and was better-suited to tool |
| sensual, almost feminine. With extensive hand-carved | | | | handles and firewood. Designs and styles soon |
| detailing and hand-painted craftsmanship, Louis XV | | | | changed with the times and other types of wood |
| pieces are quite different from Louis XIV styles. | | | | were introduced with richer qualities, such as |
| Although Louis XIV designs influenced subsequent | | | | mahogany and cherry. |
| woodworkers as well, its style was not quite as | | | | Before glue and nails became main components of |
| classical in nature. It relied on straight lines and angles, | | | | furniture building, wooden pins were used. Each piece |
| producing bulkier furniture. These pieces were also | | | | was constructed with the assistance of a joiner, a |
| machine painted and cut. The Louis designs also | | | | woodworker whose skill level sat somewhere |
| became known for patterns, such as diamonds, | | | | between a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and a turner, |
| flowers and vines. | | | | who offered advice on the construction method and |
| In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of | | | | type of wood. |
| France and shortly thereafter, the furniture began to | | | | |