Louis XV, the grandson of Louis XIV, reigned during the period that corresponds to Queen Anne and Chippendale. In fact, Queen Anne furniture was heavily influenced by the French designers, however it was more restrained. As a King, Louis XV was interested in a lavish lifestyle, comfort and making a lasting impression. The architects and furniture designers at the time worked at his request and needed to please him to maintain their livelihood. They strove to develop richer, more creative designs. The style of this period was knows as the Rococo Style, which means "shell and rock" carving. Carvings, were natural, the shell was prevalent, and for the first time designs were asymmetrical. This was one of the few periods that is asymmetrical, to the extent that even architectural elements were informally balanced. Rococo chairs were comfortable, with open, welcoming arms and carved cabriole legs. While the colors of the Queen Anne period were red, blue, green and gold, Rococo colors were more complicated and subtle.
Chippendale 1740-1779
The most famous English furniture designer was Thomas Chippendale. He was influenced by the classical motifs prevalent in England through Palladian architecture, the French Rococo style and Chinese motifs that were being imported to England through trade. The similarities in his designs and the Queen Anne period were the cabriole leg and a central splat on chair backs. The differences were that Chippendale's splats were pierced, the top rail of his chair is shaped like a bow, and they have ball and claw feet. Carvings and piercing use classical motifs. The French influences on Chippendale can be seen in a riband back chair and in a softer, subtler color palette. However, Chippendale worked in mahogany while French furniture was gilded. Colors were rose, silvery green, and gray blues. Much of the carving became Rococo. Chinese Chippendale, on the other hand, uses oriental motifs in carving and piercing and legs were straight. Oriental fretwork can be seen on the interior corner between legs and rails on both chairs and tables. Comfort was as important in England at this time as it was in France and Chippendale is credited with the camelback sofa and larger wingchairs.
Neoclassicism swept Europe and England after the ruins of Pompeii were uncovered. Three important Late Georgian Furniture designers influenced by classical motifs are Hepplewhite, Sheraton, and Adams.
HEPPLEWHITE 1770-1786
Hepplewhite's chairs have a shield back. His pieces have legs that are tapered and end in spade feet. While mahogany is the predominant woods other woods are used.
SHERATON 1780-1806
Sheraton designs were even more restrained in their classicism. His legs were cylindrical and reeded. His chair backs are square and the design is kept near the top rail with open space below. Like most neo-classical designs his upholstery fabrics were very often done in vertical stripes of very light, cool colors.
ADAMS 1760-1792
The Adams brothers were architects as well as furniture designers and were the most strictly classical of the three. The influence of French furniture can be seen, in fact some of his furniture was gilded. Straight lines are evident in chair backs, legs are slender and sometimes reeded
LOUIS XVI
Very strict Neoclassicism is evident in France because it is closer to Italy and the site of Pompeii. In France this became evident in the return to straight lines, vertical emphasis in fluting and the tops of legs and feet that look like capitols on columns. There was a return to strict symmetry and ornamentation was classical. Laurel leaves, acanthus leaves, and egg and dart carving was used. Many case pieces had designs in marquetry and inlays. Gold and gilding was evident and fabrics were gold and white striped. While mahogany was used much of the gilding was on ebony.

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