Lafayette: Classically Elegant...

Travel back to 19th century France,after the fall of Napoleon in 1815 and the end of a long period of turmoil following the French Revolution, when the buds of the Industrial Revolution began to bloom and a new renaissance was born. During this time,the French aristocracy rejected the Neo-Classical styles of the previous 50 years and turned to a more elegant and simple look for their furnishings. Much emphasis was placed on clean lines, soft curves, and symmetry in design.

This movement peaked under the leadership of King Louis Philippe – the “Citizen King”– who reigned from 1830 to 1848 and oversaw tremendous progress throughout France. Louis Philippe was a connoisseur of theatre and history and a major proponent of the fine arts of painting, sculpture,and especially architecture. His extensive renovations of Versailles, both architecturally and through commissioned furnishings,significantly influenced the great designers and cabinet makers of the day.

This exquisite collection of bedroom furniture captures the essence of this classic French style. We leave the court and journey to the many provinces in the south of France where local craftsmen used native woods and materials to emulate the industrial, machine made furnishings of the Aristocracy in Paris. The result is a classic look that combines beauty and charm with function. It is a delicate look but one of substance. It is pure craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The primary motif of Louis Philippe styling is the wide molding called “doucine”–that sits beneath the tops and along the base rail of each piece. We mirror the molding in the delicately carved feet that ground the cases. These elements soften the crispness of the inset drawers and pilasters adding movement and grace. The subtle fleur-de-lie shield and key bluff hardware blends perfectly with the simple elegance of the design. Our rich, warm finish perfectly accentuates the solid Cherry of the cabinets.

The Louis Philippe style transcends classification – living as both sophisticated traditional and casual contemporary–and will no doubt become a cherished heirloom for generations to come.