Today, the Biedermeier style furniture is increasingly popular

Today, the Biedermeier style is increasingly popular. The clean, simple lines and honest, functional form that characterize the style pair well with  modern home designs  styles. On your next project, consider Biedermeier style pieces to fulfill your desire for furniture that is both beautiful and functional. Vienna was the source of many typical designs, primarily because of the assured quality of workmanship from a city where apprentices were examined on use of material, construction, originality of design and quality of cabinetwork before being admitted to the league of approved master cabinetmakers.

Cavendish has more than just a professional interest in Biedermeier. Many of his favorite pieces adorn his west London home. Characteristic features include simple lines and blonde wood typical of the more northern European style."I started by loving Empire furniture more than anything else. But I found that I preferred [Biedermeier's] light blond woods and relative simplicity. I don't like clutter myself."A lady once bought a birch wood dining table in our shop and she said she felt like she could throw a bread roll over it. That is a remark I actually rather like because the light blond Biedermeier has a quality of informality."

A remarkable example of how furniture design can reflect great historical events is provided by the emergence of the Biedermeier style after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The mood of the people of Europe changed - and the style of the furniture altered dramatically to match this mood. As Napoleon had conquered most Europe, the pompous, magnificent Empire style with its grand, monumental mahogany furniture had become extremely fashionable, and palaces and houses were accordingly redecorated throughout the continent.But after Napoleon's final defeat, Europe settled down to a long period of peace. The middle classes, who were prospering, wanted a simpler style, which could be functional as well as beautiful. This style, later known as 'Biedermeier', is essentially Empire furniture shorn of its ormolu mounts, excessive gilding and aggressive self-importance. Its original geometric shape often leads it to being described as the forerunner of modern furniture.

In response to growing demand for the style, Cavendish has started making his own designs and reproductions -- prompted by a celebrity Biedermeier fan."The person who really got us going as a serious designer, was Elton John, because he bought a lot of antiques from us and then he said: 'I want to do the bedrooms in Biedermeier as well,'" said Cavendish."It is the first great functional style," he said. "Antiques before Biedermeier were made to go in a room, in a place in that room. It was a revolution therefore, that you could use it for anything you wanted, anywhere you want it."