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antique, antiqued, cherry, contemporary, eclecticism, Edwardian, elegance, English, Europe, formal, French, furniture, industry, Italian, lavish, Louis, ornament, ornamentation, provincial, Queen Anne, Spanish, style, styles, traditional, upholstery, Victorian, vintage, William and Mary, XIV, XV, XVI
Furniture industry terms often sound alike or similar in a way that can be confusing to shoppers. Formal and traditional are two such words that frequently need clarification. To understand the difference between the two, you should consider three styles: Traditional Formal, Provincial Formal, and Formal Contemporary.
In general, “formal” refers to a style of furniture that values form over function; aesthetics and exquisite ornamentation reign supreme here. Designers of formal spaces endeavor to represent opulence and luxury in a grandiose manner. Formal rooms are usually breathtaking, seeking to set a specific tone or mood within the beholder.
Classical French Red and Gold Upholstered Sofa
Traditional Formal
These furniture styles hail directly from art history: Queen Anne, Federal, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, etc. Traditional styles are often named after the royalty for whom they were designed: Edwardian, William and Mary, Victorian, Louis XVI, etc. These styles are rich in European design traditions of the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries, especially English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
Traditional Formal style is often exquisitely detailed and ornate with dark hardwoods and high-gloss finishes. Pieces range from extremely tall to incredibly long as antiques were usually built for large rooms. Elegant fabrics like silk, velvet, and brocade are common in this style, as are tassels, fringe, pleats, and buttons. Traditional Formal lines are curvy, elegant, and lavish.
Antiqued Cherry William and Mary Dresser Chest
Provincial Formal
Provincial style is usually simple, formal furniture that was regularly constructed in Europe. The style evolved through mimicry of the royal styles of Traditional Formal fame; however, Provincial Formal is more rustic (shabby chic) than Traditional Formal styles. The name implies quality and solid Old World construction with hand carving and dovetail joinery.
Wood materials and the resulting furniture pieces are usually dark with ornate carvings and Gothic characteristics: claw feet, cabriole legs (animal shaped), carved animal heads, as well as ornate marble and hardware. Upholstery and fabric designs include satin, tapestries, flora, and stripes.
Solid Mahogany Provincial Console Table
Formal Contemporary
Bauhaus (“School of Building”) was a modernist artistic movement originating in 1919 Germany. Walter Gropius helped develop a modern art school by combining visual arts, architecture, sculpture, and decorative arts. The idea was to bring all forms of art together.
Bauhaus was so influential in the 20th Century that the Nazis closed it down in 1933. Many Bauhaus teachers and students immigrated to the States for sanctuary, spreading ideals of Formal Contemporary style. Look for sleek, straight lines. Wood materials are generally light in color, but artisans often employ metal, stone, glass, and laminated finishes.