Restoration Style

Louis XVIII was an intelligent man and a lover of culture. He embraced the Enlightenment and was a great supporter of the French Revolution. He ascended the throne in 1814 when France was occupied by the Allies who supported the restoration of the Bourbons. Louis XVIII managed to recover the state from the economic crisis thanks to a policy of moderation and appeasement. Unfortunately, however, over the years the people began to see the Bourbons as enemies. The people had forgotten all the damage caused by the empire, remembering only the splendour. They saw the monarchy as an emblem of defeat. Thus, Louis XVIII died by guillotine in 1824. During this era, the Restoration style developed.

Louis XVIII style furniture

The bourgeoisie played a key role in the creation of this style as it was the main buyer. Being a new social class, it also had new needs that changed the characteristics of period furniture . The restoration-style furniture reflects the desire to return to order after years of war. For this reason they have a gentle and comfortable style. They are built on the basis of Empire style furniture but lose their majesty by becoming light and rounded. Light woods are used for most of the antique furnishings , but dark wood is also used for the carvings. The lines are always geometric but slightly rounded and with spherical elements.

Among the Louis XVIII furniture the most common is the chest of drawers which loses the bronze ornaments but maintains locks and handles of that same gilded material. The tables are light, the secrétaires are linear in structure, the ministerial desks are very large, the bed is still a canopy, the chairs are small and light and the armchairs are very comfortable. If you are looking for restoration-style furniture to enrich your home with unique pieces that speak of history, Di Mano in Mano offers you a fine selection of original furniture. We have been operating in this sector for over 20 years and, for this reason, we can offer you all our professionalism and guarantee maximum attention to your needs. What are you waiting for?

To find out more about this style, we offer you in-depth articles written by our industry experts:

- The "return to the past" in the Restoration period.