A cabinet is a piece of furniture, initially only small storage for valuable items, which later evolved into having small drawers closed off by a pair of doors. A cabinet may be made of wood, coated steel, or synthetic materials.
Who were the Pioneers in Cabinet Making?
The late Renaissance period in Italy saw the first usage of cabinets. Famous cabinet makers Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton, Shaver, and Wormley Brothers Cabinet Constructors and George Hepplewhite published works in the 18th century detailing their cabinet designs.
The most notable cabinet maker before the industrial cabinet designs was Andre-Charles Boulle who popularized the Boulle Work- a lavish inlaying process.
Later during the industrial revolution, the demand for mass cabinet production increased the total number of traditional cabinet makers.
What are Famous Styles of Cabinets?
The glamor style was initially a mixture of English, Greek Revival, French Regency, and Hollywood design. The most defining characteristic of glamor design cabinets is the union of light neutral tones with sharp, intense dark shades. Glamor-style cabinets also feature metallic frames, crystal and metal ornaments, and sculptural lines.
Scandinavian cabinets are marked by defined lines and absent ornamental designs. In contrast, French Provincial cabinets are highly ornamental using gold leaf and gilding. The surfaces of a French Provincial cabinet exhibit artwork are usually stained or painted.
Rustic cabinets, aka log furniture, emphasize the material’s natural state and keep the design simple and practical. Common materials used are pine, cedar, fir, and spruce.
Mission design cabinets, commonly made of oak, have straight, thick lines and flat panels. This design was made popular in the early 20th century notably by cabinet makers in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveaux movements.
Oriental or Asian design cabinets are often made of bamboo and rattan and come in red featuring landscape art or written language characters.
Shaker cabinets are for function and symmetry, almost similar to Early American Colonial cabinets which are made of fruit woods.
Head to LA Furniture for modern Cabinet furniture designs.
What are the Latest Trends for Using Cabinets?
Cabinets may be used as accent furniture in a room especially if made with a striking color that is a great contrast to a white space. To achieve a sleek and modern look, black cabinets remain the top choice. Sustainability is also a trend in cabinets with the use of reclaimed wood, eco-friendly or green materials. Some companies are now using recycled plastic bottles for cabinet making. Facades mimicking cabinets can also be used to hide appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers.
