Where should I place a fauteuil?

These open-armed chairs suit drawing rooms, bedrooms, and reading corners where their decorative carved frames remain visible from all angles. Their relatively lightweight proportions allow them to function as occasional seating rather than heavy lounge chairs. Pair them with complementary side tables or position them symmetrically as a matched pair.

How do I date an antique armchair?

Dating relies on timber selection, carving styles, and construction methods visible beneath the frame. Eighteenth-century models display different joinery and timber patination compared to nineteenth-century revival pieces. Revival pieces often adopt earlier Louis styles while utilising nineteenth-century machinery marks and secondary woods.

Are these chairs comfortable for daily use?

Period fauteuils offer upright seating support rather than deep, soft lounging. The open arms and firm squab cushions reflect the formal posture of historic interiors. Interior padding density varies depending on whether the upholstery is original or historically restored.