How do I style a marquetry nightstands pair?

These matching cabinets work best flanking a bed where their symmetrical wood patterns can balance the room's proportions. Keep surface objects minimal to allow the floral or geometric veneer work to remain the visual focal point.

Are marble tops original to these cabinets?

Many French bedside cabinets from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were built specifically to carry fitted marble slabs on top. These stone surfaces provided a durable, wipe-clean shelf for bedside water jugs and lighting.

How do I distinguish Louis XV style from Louis XVI?

Louis XV pieces typically display flowing curves, serpentine fronts, and elaborate rococo floral marquetry motifs. Louis XVI revival pieces introduce straighter lines, neoclassical symmetry, and geometric parquetry patterns.

What is the difference between marquetry and parquetry?

Marquetry involves arranging various coloured wood veneers into pictorial designs such as floral sprays or landscapes. Parquetry uses geometric pieces of timber to create repeating patterns like cubes, chequers, or herringbone.