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| Home Painting Basics Wallpaper Home & Domestic Interior Decorating Alyssa Davis |
Jacobean.Decorate Your Home with Jacobean Period Furniture PiecesDecorating a stylish home with period furniture can be a lot of fun.When one thinks of the bygone days of England, ornately designed palaces and grand castles likely come to mind.  This was particularly true of the reigns of King James I, King James II, and King Charles I. The time period that spans the biggest part of the 17th century from 1603 to 1688 saw furniture being produced in what is known as the Jacobean style. Early Jacobean pieces were not very ornately styled. In Colonial America, furniture makers copied those same styles as much as they could with their limited furniture making skills and tools. In the New World, they called these pieces early American. Jacobean pieces were crafted during the Jacobean era, which was a part of the Renaissance in England, and much of the design inspiration for this furniture was drawn from the Elizabethan era. While there is quite a bit of Jacobean furniture still in circulation today in the antique’s circuit, it is a “buy beware” market since much of what is available are quality reproductions. |
Hallmarks of Jacobean FurnitureJacobean furniture is best described as durable and long-lasting. This furniture was large, sturdy, and somewhat uncomfortable. Pine and oak were the most commonly used wood species that were used in making Jacobean furniture.The most readily made pieces were cupboards, chests, chairs, and trestle tables. Early Jacobean pieces had tell-tale straight lines and some limited carving detail. King Charles I was a bit more cultured than his predecessors. This was evident in his choices for interior décor and furniture. The gate-legged table was designed during his reign, and Jacobean furniture with padded upholstery came into existence. Upholstery choices included tapestry, silk, and linen. Furniture designs during the time of Charles I, while still classified as Jacobean, were more comfortable and a bit more ornate in their design than earlier pieces. For the antique collector, authentic Jacobean furniture is a true find, although it is not uncommon to find these authentic pieces at auction and some private sales. This is due to the sturdy build and the hardy woods that were used in Jacobean design. Many auctions in England have pieces from this period that date all the way back to King James I. And many of the Jacobean reproductions on the market are actually antiques themselves as they were replicated during the early half of the twentieth century. Jacobean Style on a BudgetIf you can’t find the Jacobean piece that is right for your room, you can invariably find many of the same styles used in this popular period as replicas on today’s market. Many modern furniture choices will reference the Jacobean era or draw its influence from the Jacobean period.This means that you can buy new furniture that has a Jacobean influence. Nearly any type of furniture imaginable can be found with an influence of the Jacobean period, from armchairs to buffets to stools and drop lid desks, you will find a plethora of choices for outfitting your space in this fabulous style.
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