The Biedermeier concept of furniture originated in Germany and Austria in the early part of the 19^th century.  It is a style of cabinet making that was in part influenced by French Empire, English Regency and neo-classical architecture.

Following the Napoleonic wars after 1814, Biedermeier style furniture catered to the newly prosperous bourgeoisie in Austria, Germany and Northern Europe with clean, simple and understated furnishings as a sharp contrast to the opulence of traditional French interior decoration and furniture.

Scandinavian Biedermeier Furniture

Biedermeier furniture became vogue in Scandinavia in the 1820s and lasted to 1850s. The revival of Biedermeier styles took place in the 1860s and flourished until the late 19^th century. Finally in the first quarter of the 20^th century saw a brief revival of Biedermeier styles until the 1920s when European furniture was under the spell of French Art Deco . 

 Influenced by their German and Austrian peers, Scandinavian Biedermeier cabinet makers took the understated look a step further. Swedish and Danish Biedermeier furniture is striking in its simplicity and functionality.  Almost every piece has a true sense of skillful assembly, with gorgeous wood veneers and stately appeal.

The Scandinavians used birch veneers in their furniture simply because birch trees were indigenous to this region and is a n exquisite blonde and clean wood with sections of grain that seem to flare, or flame.  Biedermeier period cabinet makers used split veneer techniques as the main decorative element in their furnishings – creating tiger stripe patterns and unusual striking designs, often contrasted with ebonized edges. 

Scandinavian Art Deco

While Biedermeier furniture makers took their cue from Germany and Austria and rebelled against French styles, Art Deco cabinetmakers were influenced by France than any other region. By the mid 1920s, furniture manufacturers in Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities were quick to adopt the latest looks from Paris. Geometry, symmetry, clever function and contrasting woods were key in defining Art Deco design elements in furniture of that era.

At Greene Street Antiques, we believe the lightness of birch can add a lively and airy feel to your living space; it also allows for quite a bit of range for choosing stain colors when the furniture is refinished or restored in darker shades.