Bienvenue and Welcome: Let’s Learn About French Restoration Décor

For some antique furniture lovers, the only thing more exciting about coming across a great find is learning about its history! If this sounds like you, we’ve got two words for you: French Restoration.

Well-known amongst avid antique furniture collectors and vendors, French Restoration furniture is one of the most consistently sought-after design eras around. But why? What makes these desks, chairs, and tables so special? Discover the answers to all these questions and more with this deep dive into one of the most fascinating historical periods in France.

When Was the French Restoration Period?

The French Restoration, also known as the Bourbon Restoration, began when Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated the throne and the Bourbon monarchs returned to power. Historians agree that this era falls between April 1814 and January 1830. During this time, Louis XVIII (with a brief interruption by Napoleon’s Hundred Days battle) and Charles X ruled France until growing tensions led to a massive revolution.  

What Led to the French Restoration Period?

The French monarchy was restored to the throne after Napoleon’s defeat for one reason and one reason alone: to restore stability and balance the power in Europe. His rule had been one of authoritarianism, and when the Allied powers from around the continent met at the Congress of Vienna to discuss how to continue, they decided that bringing back the Bourbon family was the only way to prevent further revolutions. There was just one problem—the people of France had very little say in the matter.

This intended return to harmony was reflected in the furniture and design styles at the time. Napoleon’s Empire was famously extravagant and over the top, but as Louis XVIII took over, styles returned to the more subtle, elegant designs popular in previous periods. Suddenly, palaces and homes were moving away from pomp and circumstance and towards a combination of the best elements from these three different eras:

• Neoclassicism: known for geometric lines and perfect symmetry

• Louis XIV era: praised for rich ornamentation and opulence

• Renaissance: recognized by its use of classic motifs and lively colors

Are French Restoration Collectibles Valuable?

When it comes to collecting and identifying any antique furniture, everyone has one question on the brain: Is that design valuable? For French Restoration pieces, the answer is easy: yes!

If authenticated, antique furniture from this era can command anywhere from a few hundred dollars to upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. However, age isn’t the only factor at play: value is determined by an item’s condition, types of materials, provenance, and its maker’s prestige.

Before you make such a large Highland antique mall purchase, you’ll want reassurance that the design was, in fact, made in the French Restoration period. If they know what kind of treasure they have on hand, any vendor worth their salt will be able to provide the necessary paperwork to prove its authenticity. If you come across a piece of antique furniture in the wild and have a hunch of what era it was designed in, you can always take a chance and send it in for an appraisal on your own dime.

What Design Elements Define the French Restoration Era?

When you’re walking around a busy Melbourne antique mall, being surrounded by so many different vintage and antique furniture pieces can feel overwhelming. How are you supposed to be able to spot a French Restoration design in a sea of different eras? Keep an eye out for these distinctive elements as you shop:

Lighter Colored Woods

In the French Restoration years, designers were desperate to move away from the heavy and dark styles made popular in the Empire period. This departure resulted in lighter, paler woods being the preferred material for most antique furniture at the time.

If a darker wood was used, it was used in tandem with lighter boards to provide an interesting contrast. When you take a closer look at furniture from this time, such as cabinets or desks, you’ll find they’re made of:

• Ash

• Maple

• Lemonwood

• Elm

• Acacia

Refined and Delicate Ornamentation

In previous periods, gilded bronze was the preferred method for decorating designs. But as the monarchy made efforts to forget Napoleon’s reign ever happened, they decided to lighten and refine the ornamentation, opposing the over-the-top styles and leaning more towards subtlety.

As a response, inlay (also known as marquetry) soon became a favored decorative technique with antique furniture artisans. Setting floral and geometric patterns into lightly carved woods created a beautiful, almost romantic, aesthetic favored by the upper class in the French Restoration.

Motifs Commonly Used in French Restoration Antique Furniture:

• Flowers

• Musical instruments

• Wreaths

• Classical urns

• Cornucopias

Amazing Polychromic Techniques

Just because the French Restoration wasn’t as decadent as the years prior doesn’t mean it was bland! Many antique furniture pieces and interior designers from this era used polychromy, a method where the artisan applies multiple bright colors to a piece to liven it up. This was accomplished with paint, colored stone, or even stained glass, depending on the design at hand.

Smaller and More Portable Designs

Antique furniture from the French Restoration was designed to be more lightweight, resulting in smaller pieces and thinner frames becoming the norm. This change is most evident in the slim profiles of the chairs and tables you’ll find at the Illinois antique furniture store.  

Pro tip: Since these designs are a bit more delicate, it’s important to bring any damaged pieces to restoration experts rather than attempting to fix structural issues on your own.

Masterful and Skilled Craftsmanship

The majority of collectibles from this era were crafted by highly skilled artisans trained within a strict guild system—and it shows! The antique furniture from the French Restoration era was built to last. When you purchase a desk or armoire from this period, you can rest assured that you’ve made a valuable investment worthy of being passed down from generation to generation.  

Prominent Names to Know to Collect French Restoration Designs

As you dive deeper into research on the French Restoration, you’ll find yourself coming across the same names over and over. Whether they inspired a trend at the time or have their work on display in a museum, these people are worth learning about:      

• François Baudry was known best at the time for his innovative work in cabinetry, but his iconic, curved, basket-shaped bed has become his legacy.

• Pierre-Gaston Brion was commissioned to create Charles X’s elaborate bedframe, garnering a reputation amongst royals for bringing elegant pieces to life.

• Louis Hippolyte Leroy, a prominent fashion designer, was praised for removing Napoleonic symbols from his shop and was known for creating haute couture designs for society.

The Most Popular Antique Furniture Designs from the French Restoration

For furniture designers, the French Restoration was a period of returning to classicism and relearning to appreciate craftsmanship. The artisans at the time put their creativity to the test, redesigning pieces from decades past as well as creating completely new furniture forms. If you browse a Floridian antique furniture store, you’ll likely spot these iconic designs:  

The Gondola Chair

The first gondola chair was designed by François Baudry and was met with so much success that Charles X gave him an award. The chair gets its namesake from its overall shape, with the open back curving down to the armrests, resembling a gondola boat. Made for comfort and style, the chair had generously padded seats, short flared front legs, and saber-shaped, outward curved back legs.   

The Bergère Chair

Aptly named after the French word for shepherdess, the bergère chair gives you all the relaxed, cottagecore vibes you could dream of. The fully upholstered chair has closed, cushioned sides, a separate seat cushion, and a visible wooden frame. Nowadays, there are countless modern replicas of this antique furniture design—but nothing beats the real deal.

The Cathedrale Chair

Inspired by the Gothic Revival movement, the Cathedrale chair was made to mimic the form of stained glass windows most often seen in Catholic churches. With a tall, arched backrest, lancet arched motifs, and elaborate floral designs, this style of antique furniture is the perfect example of how many past design periods influenced the French Restoration.

The Bateau Bed

Made to resemble a boat, as the name implies, the bateau bed features identical backrests and footrests and curved wooden sides. In most cases, the homeowner would add a canopy above, adding an elegant and cozy touch. Though it was first popularized in the Empire period, it continued to be a preferred style item in the French Restoration.

The Tables de Toilette

Nowadays we have vanities—back then, they had tables de toilettes! The small hinged top dressing tables were designed for personal grooming and featured multiple compartments and drawers to maximize storage. When the lid is lifted, it typically reveals a mirror in the central section.

The Cheval Mirror

With a single pane, light wood frame, and adjustable mechanism, the cheval mirror became a staple piece of antique furniture in bedrooms and dressing rooms during the Restoration. The mirror is propped up by a four-legged stand (hence the name, which is French for “horse”) and can be tilted to view someone’s full-length reflection.

Fill Your Home with French Restoration Era Décor

If antique furniture isn’t your jam, but you still want to sprinkle in elements of the French Restoration into your home, you’re in luck—there are plenty of trinkets, art pieces, and décor from this era just waiting to be found. The next time you’re at an Indiana vendor mall, ask if they have any of these designs:

Add an Elaborate Clock to Your Living Room

Tell the time in vintage style with an antique clock! Clockmaking during the Restoration continued the preceding Empire styles, with most designs made in collaboration between master artisans. Adding one of these clocks to your family or living room will provide the space with a timeless (pun intended) sophistication:

• Mantel clocks: made small enough to fit on your mantle or shelf, these decorative designs feature elaborate structural elements and high-quality materials, such as porcelain, gilt bronze, or inlaid wood.

• Carriage clocks: designed for traveling, these small, spring-driven timepieces have a rectangular case and carrying handle.

• Garniture sets: made up of a central clock and two matching decorative objects, often candlesticks or vases.

Feature a Decorative Plaque on Your Gallery Wall

Nothing ties a room together like a gallery wall—especially when you’re featuring pieces from multiple different eras. When you’re putting up your favorite prints and cherished family photos, consider adding a decorative plaque from the French Restoration period. These pieces tend to feature iconic motifs, like the fleur de lis, winged cherubs, or lion paws, and can be made from enamel or cast iron.

Showcase an Antique Vase in Your China Cabinet

If you’re lucky enough to come across a vase from the French Restoration, be prepared to pay a pretty penny. Most porcelain vases from this era were made by Sèvres, a royal factory located on the outskirts of Paris, and featured soft, pastel hues. With large forms, elaborate hands, and nature-inspired patterns, these vases are the perfect way to introduce a little history to your home.  

Where’s the Best Place to Shop for French Restoration Antique Furniture?

While hunting down pieces through online auction sites certainly gives you a thrill, we recommend buying the majority of your antique furniture in person at your local Algonquin antique mall. If you buy any type of antique online, you’re putting a lot of trust in the vendor. When you shop in real life, you’ll get the chance to examine each piece with your own eyes and certify that it’s in proper condition before you spend a dime.

Not to mention how vast the selection of antique furniture is at antique malls near Chicago! With hundreds of vendors selling under one roof, each visit is its own adventure. Each of our locations is stocked full of different furniture pieces from various eras—French Restoration included.

Nothing brings elegance to your home quite like authentic antique furniture! With a deeper understanding of the inspirations and designs from the era, you’re well on your way to becoming a French Restoration pro! As you sort through the ugly Christmas sweaters and vintage tchotchkes at America’s Antique Mall, keep your eyes peeled—we can’t wait to see what you discover.