| The design and development of furniture over the | | | | became an exponent of the Regency style of |
| centuries had been steady and predictable. It was | | | | decorative arts. Like his predecessors before him, |
| largely influenced by the availability of materials, | | | | he published a book of designs in 1807 called |
| and the changing fashions of the eras. Armoires | | | | 'Household Furniture and Interior Decoration'. |
| were designed for suits of armour, but later | | | | William Morris (1834-1896) |
| became wardrobes for clothing. Chairs lost their | | | | Morris is a well-known name today for his legacy |
| arms to accommodate wide skirts, and became | | | | of poetry writing and textiles. He introduced |
| upholstered and comfortable to fit in with the | | | | heavy floral patterns to the drawing rooms of the |
| drawing rooms of fashionable ladies. | | | | day, in glass, wallpaper, textiles, and also in |
| To quote William Cowper: Necessity invented | | | | furniture. He was associated with the Arts and |
| stools, convenience next suggested elbow-chairs, | | | | Crafts movement of that time, and his |
| and luxury the accomplish'd Sofa last. | | | | decorative arts firm produced "The Green |
| The 18th century had been dominated by fine | | | | Drawing Room" which is on display today in the |
| cabinetmakers such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite | | | | Victoria and Albert Museum. |
| and Sheraton, and their craftsmanship and designs | | | | Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) |
| are still loved and admired today. However, more | | | | Stickley began his working life as a furniture |
| change was on the horizon in the later part of the | | | | maker and architect. He was an active member |
| 19th century, with the Arts and Crafts | | | | of the American Craftsman Movement, similar to |
| movement, as it became known, which integrated | | | | the British Arts and Crafts movement. His house |
| craft traditions with mass production techniques | | | | designs were innovative, with open floor plans, |
| aimed at the growing mass markets. | | | | fitted bookcases and benches and large windows |
| Thomas Hope (1769-1831) | | | | for natural light. He created his own style of |
| Hope was born in Amsterdam, Holland, and was | | | | furniture in the 'Mission Oak Style' which was |
| descended from a Scottish family of successful | | | | made of American oak. He made simple, useful |
| London merchants. At the age of 18 he began a | | | | furniture. Sadly the popularity of his designs was |
| tour of Europe, Asia and Africa which greatly | | | | short-lived and he declared himself bankrupt. |
| affected his later artistic designs. His furniture was | | | | Perversely, his styles are now in vogue, with his |
| in the style of 'English Empire' which was defined | | | | simple mission-style furniture reaching high prices |
| by extravagant and heavy designs, and he | | | | at auction today. |