The influence of Edwardian furniture on modern design
Edwardian furniture is not only regarded as being a strong influence on modern design, but also a strong indication of the shift in English culture.
King Edward VII reigned from 1901 to 1910, a period that is historically known as a period that moved away from the dark, rigid, and restrictive Victorian era that had come previously. England became a more mobile, multifaceted and eclectic society, and these changes are arguably reflected in the furniture of the period.
Victorian furniture was dark, extremely ornate, and heavy, while the new Edwardian furniture adopted a much lighter, less formidable aesthetic. Popular materials included mahogany and wicker.
Wicker in particular has stood the test of time, and is still used in many modern designs thanks to its ability to form unique and interesting. The fact that this furniture seems to suit conservatories so well is arguably no coincidence, as the influence on conservatories is arguably one of the biggest legacies of the Edwardian era.
The Edwardian conservatory is one that is in a square or rectangular shape. The idea is to maximise the view of the exteriors of the house by placing little detail on the windows themselves, as opposed to Victorian conservatories, which feature ornamental panels on parts of the glass.
The main advantage of the Edwardian conservatory is that because of their shape, there is very little wasted space to speak of. In fact it can even create the illusion of more space, making them very popular for modern homeowners. Many homeowners are keen on the fact that an Edwardian conservatory lets in more light due to its pitched glass roof, giving it an airy and spacious feel. The lack of ornate glass panels also gives the feeling of being outdoors, something which many people find desirable.
It is because of the positive influence of Edwardian conservatories that has given rise to designers using traditional Edwardian types of furniture made from materials such as wicker.
It is possible to purchase modern wicker, rattan, and cane furniture, but some prefer to buy Edwardian antique pieces of furniture in order give their conservatory a real traditional feel. However, when buying period pieces, you should look out for any evidence of woodworm and weaknesses in the structure of the piece.
Colour is another consideration that conservatory owners must consider. Many use pastel colours to preserve the lightness of the conservatory, thus utilising the traditional Edwardian style, which favoured such colour schemes.