Aubusson-Style Rugs:
Aubusson rugs take their name from the small, picturesque French town by the same name. Although rugs have not been produced here for over 100 years, the town was at one time the epicenter of Europe's rug manufacturing industry. Original Aubusson designs were influenced by Turkish motifs, however, in the mid-17th century, Aubusson designs changed to reflect another popular style of French carpet: Savonnerie.
Bombe Furniture:
The bombe chest dates back to the French Regency period. French craftsmen and furniture makers strayed from the classical Louis XIV forms and created more casual styles. Furniture shapes became more bowed and round. The signature form of this period was the bombe commode, a stylish chest with a belly-outward curve. Favored by Louis XV and his famous mistress, Madame de Pompadour, the bombe chest became all the rage in 1750's Paris.
Cheval Mirrors:
The cheval mirror was first made in the 1700s. Originally known as a dressing mirror, it was created for use in bedrooms and dressing rooms, as the adjustable angle allowed one to see one's dress from head to toe. By the end of the 18th century, the cheval mirror was very popular. Cheval mirrors are not only useful, but also are great pieces of decor!
Cuckoo Clocks:
Cuckoo clocks are generally available in two different mechanical movements. An 8-day movement will need to be wound about once a week. A 1-day movement will need to be wound around every 30 hours. To ensure the movement runs its full course, make sure you hang the clock high enough so the weights extend to their full length - usually about 6-1/2 feet high.
Hand-Tufted Rugs:
Hand-tufted wool rugs require a high level of craftsmanship to accurately portray intricate designs. These rugs are created by pushing wool yarn through a backing, creating a looped 'tuft'. The tops of the looped tufts are sheared off to create the pile, or plush surface texture of the rug. Although handmade, the tufting method creates a beautiful rug with an accurate design that is durable enough to use and enjoy daily.
Parson-Style Chairs:
The parson chair was created in the 1930s. Its design is simple with clean linear lines. The idea behind the design was to have a functional yet comfortable chair that stripped away excess ornamentation and other historical influences of the time. At first, the chairs were primarily designed as a set, mostly paired with a table in the dining areas of the home. However, the chairs were quickly added to other areas because of their comfort and design. The parson chair is still a favorite today and it has become very popular to mix them with other chair styles and designs.
Persian-Style Rugs:
Persian-style rugs are made up of a layout and a design which generally includes one or a number of motifs. One basic design may serve the entire field or the surface may be covered by a pattern of repeating figures. For more elaborate designs, the patterns are carefully drawn to scale in the proper colors on graph paper allowing for an accurate rendition of even the most complex designs.
Tapestries:
The art of tapestry-making dates back centuries. Before the introduction of central heating, this craft was used to help heat homes. People would hang large clothes over the walls and eventually started to use them as decorative pieces, depicting stories and designs.
Windchimes:
Windchimes date back to prehistoric times. Their greatest and most elegant development was in East and South Asia, from Bali to Tibet to Japan. Buddhists attached thousands of elegantly decorated cast or carved windchimes and windbells to the eaves of sacred religious structures to create an almost deafening sound in the wind. In Asia and the ancient Mediterranean, windchimes were used to attract benevolent spirits. In China and Japan they became decorative art in private homes as well as on sacred structures. In the 19th and 20th centuries, their popular use spread more widely among western countries. Today, they are widely used around the world and many people consider windchimes to be good luck.