To properly share the history of the chifforobe we have to go back in time and ask ourselves, what did we do with clothing before closets were invented? Centuries ago humans had no need for storage dedicated to clothing since they possessed so little of it. As methods for producing clothing and desirable styles developed, the need for a storage solution was born. Some early solutions included woven baskets and wood chests. Roman soldiers used… History of the Chifforobe
It was writer and art historian Cara Greenberg who first coined the term “Mid-Century Modern” in the title of her 1984 book. She recalled a design movement that remains popular today for its simple, straightforward style. But before its neat proportions and bright pops of color hit the screen in shows like Mad Men, mid-century modern furniture found its footing starting in the 1940s. Origin Hitting the scene roughly in the middle of the 20th century,… History of Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Many of us hope to furnish our homes with pieces that reflect our unique values. However, reality often gets in the way. Factors like cost, amount of space, and availability, tend to take precedence over having furniture that reflects the way we live. For the Shakers, a religious sect dating back to the 18th century, creating Shaker furniture that reflected their values was of the utmost importance. Taking a look at the development of the influential… History of Shaker Style Furniture
Although Queen Anne reigned from 1702-1714, the style of formal furniture that would come to bear her royal name did not gain popularity in the Americas until the 1720s. Around that time, prosperity beckoned immigrants to the colonies, including a large number of British craftsmen. This made way for a major transition. The more ornate William and Mary style furniture was transformed. The result was Queen Anne style. The reign of William and Mary (1689-1702) heavily… History of Queen Anne Style Furniture
Joseph McHugh definitely peeked at AJ Forbes’ paper. In 1894, AJ Forbes made a solid wood chair for San Francisco’s Swedenborgian Church. This handcrafted chair featured a simple, straight-line construction, and was well-proportioned. It was also comfortable and durable. Forbes’ design was inspired by not only the Spanish Missions in California, but also the Arts and Crafts movement that sought to leave behind the overly ornate and artificial style of the Victorian era. Then Joseph… History of Mission Style Furniture
The hope chest has been referred to as many things, including a dowry chest, a trousseau chest, and a glory box. No matter what it’s called, this tried-and-true treasure has evolved to remain a favorite piece of furniture. How the Amish Helped Bring Hope Chests to America The hope chest dates back centuries, revealing a rich and fascinating history. It originated at a time when marriage included the exchange of property between families. The idea… History of the Hope Chest
For a good part of the 19th century, a very important piece of furniture sat in the middle of many kitchens — the pie safe. Also known as a pie cabinet, pie cupboard, pie chest, or kitchen safe, the pie safe helped to keep pesky insects, rodents, and dirt away from freshly baked goods. Origins It is believed that the pie safe was first introduced in the United States in the 1800s by German immigrants… History of the Pie Safe
“A place for everything and everything in its place” was the slogan that propelled the roll-top desk to popularity during the 19th century. A desk full of small drawers, hideaways, and perfectly sized compartments with a top that could be closed to conceal any clutter was a delight for many and became a popular choice for small to medium-sized offices. But first, it began with a king. The History of the Roll-Top Desk At the… History of the Roll-Top Desk
Thomas Lee had the chair pulled right out from under him, so to speak. The summer of 1903 found Lee vacationing with family at his summer home in Westport, NY. Located on Lake Champlain with the stunning views of the Adirondack mountains to entertain him, Lee encountered a problem. His search for comfortable outdoor furniture produced nothing suitable. Determined to solve this problem and enjoy all that the mountain views had to offer, Lee got… From Mountains to Many Homes: The History of the Adirondack Chair
Even though jelly is most often kept in the refrigerator these days, the jelly cabinet remains a favorite furnishing. One look at an Amish jelly cabinet and the reasons are clear. It’s both beautiful and useful for storage, even without the jelly. The First Jelly Cabinets The creation of the jelly cabinet grew out of need. During the 19th century, as pioneers perfected the practice of stewing fruit to create jams and preserves, they produced large… Modern Ways to Use a Jelly Cabinet
A special relationship exists between a boy and his dog, a teen and his first car, and of course, Dad and his favorite chair. The chair he jumps up from to cheer on his favorite team, the seat where he enjoys a fresh cigar after a long work day, and the only place just right for his Sunday afternoon nap is his sanctuary. What links Dad to that one special chair? The Construction Marcel Breuer… Dad’s Favorite Chair
A Brief History of the Windsor Chair Infographic and text, plus links below! Related Posts What Language do the Amish Speak? This post was originally published on July 25th, 2013. It was updated on January 30th, 2025. If you have spoken Read more The Amish of Pinecraft This blog post was updated on June 6, 2019. Pinecraft is a neighborhood of about 3000 Amish and Mennonites in Read more Cherry Wood Furniture-The Lowdown You Put… A Brief History of the Windsor Chair {Infographic}
