How to Identify the Style of a Dining Table

Decorating your home can be a joyous activity that allows you to express your own personal style. You may choose to completely decorate each room individually or you may select an overall particular decorating style. Various decorating styles such as Colonial or Victorian have distinguishing looks and materials that are associated with them. If you need to identify the style of a dining room table for your home, you can do so with some observation. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Examine the wood used in the table. Colonial tables are usually made of black walnut, ash, hickory, maple or mahogany. Victorian tables often are made of maple, rosewood or oak and tend to be heavier. Scandinavian tables can be made of any of these as well but also sometimes use elm and teak; this is not typical of many other styles.

2

Check the feet of the table. Colonial furniture may have a "drake," which is a simple animal paw carved into the wood. Victorian tables can use something similar, though it is more common for Victorian tables to have the foot carved into a claw that is gripping a ball. Victorian designs also may keep the foot as a continuation of the leg, as do Scandinavian tables.

3

Examine any hardware on the table. Colonial tables frequently utilize brass, leather, and iron. Victorian furniture sometimes use glass tabletops. Scandinavian tables don't generally use additional hardware options outside of wood.

4

Look at the table's finish. Colonial tables typically utilize wax, paint or oil varnish as finishes. Victorian style features oil varnish almost exclusively. Scandinavian tables also use stain along with wax or oil varnish.

5

Check for any ornamentation or carving. Carving or stenciling are common with colonial tables. Victorian tables utilize cutting or chipping designs in the wood. Scandinavian designs prefer clear finishes to show off the wood grain.