Louis Philippe Style ( 1830 - 1848 )

The very popular Louis Philippe Style took its name from the French king who reigned from 1830 to 1848.

Lady Liberty, a woman with exposed breasts, holding the French flag leads soldiers to victory. — Liberty Leading the People (1830) by Eugène Delacroix

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/d38d2307-8533-4710-a09b-1dc330e5aa42 by archer10 (Dennis)

Who was Louis Philippe?

Louis Philippe reigned in France from 1830 to 1848, until he was exiled during the Revolution. Under Louis Philippe, there was a fast development and improvement of manufacturing. Additionally, his reign continued until the revolution of 1848 when the revolutionists forced Louis Philippe into exile.

Chateau de Versailles – Gallery of French History – Statue of Louis Philippe
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/70323761@N00/1533264216 by wallyg

About the Style

The Louis-Philippe style took interest in comfort and economy. Further, it tried to satisfy those who were looking for comfort, giving them a feeling of being socially legitimate. However, it was less concerned with originality than it was with new methods of creation. Moreover, lines present in this style are massive.

A pale yellow sofa with a maple wood base. Additionally, it is adorned with bronze flourishes. — Louis Philippe style sofa (1824–1887) by Léon Marcotte

Image source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/7588?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Louis+Philippe+sofa&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=3

Impact on housing decoration

The Louis Philippe style can be seen in all rooms of the house, most notably within the bedroom and living room.

The signature piece of bedroom furniture in this style is the sleigh bed. Often, the headboard is higher than the footboard, with the curvy lines of a sleigh. It is usually made of dark woods, and some contemporary beds are also available in blonde woods or steel.

Louis Philippe style sleigh bed in a dark wood. Moreover, there are two dressers and a bedside table that also match the sleigh bed. — Louis Philippe furniture bedroom, Best Queen Bedroom Sets

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/f11aef57-2240-4d7b-9a9a-e1b2ca0756fa by fictures

Most of the iconic furniture from this time are living room pieces, including:

Armchair: Featured with a straight shape, some models had a pierced purchase, which allowed them to move easily. Often, they had carved flowers or volute decorations.

Belgian Royal collection Faulteuil in the Louis Philippe style. With an old Beauvais tapestry, these pieces were given as a wedding present by French king Louis Philippe to his son-in-law. — Belgian Royal collection Faulteuil, Empire-Furniture, with old Beauvais tapestry

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/e87fb92f-6a8c-45ba-9c3a-a2bb4048966c by User:Carolus

Dark wood armchair carved rosewood with leather and silk from Paris, France. — Armchair, Chair frame by the firm of Joseph-Pierre- François Jeanselme (1824–1860)

Image source:https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/208209?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Louis+Philippe+Style+(1830-1848)&offset=100&rpp=20&pos=104

Commode: Often, these pieces were rectangular with few drawers. The top shelf was usually of gray, black, or white marble. Further, dark woods, such as mahogany, ebony and walnut, were important to this style.