Federal House styles have been revered for centuries for their elegance and beauty. Of course, with a formal federal house, you often see beautiful moldings, high ceilings, symmetry and gracious rooms.
Of course, to enhance these types of Federal houses, people opt to purchase beautiful reproduction furniture from high end furniture makers.
Federal Style Furniture
Federal style furniture reproduces the design of early Federal antiques. So, you will often see beautiful inlaid designs. Additionally, you will find fine woods like mahogany and cherry. Finally, you often see Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Chippendale styles in Federal furniture. These designs have unique characteristics that make them especially lovely in proportion and design.
With that in mind, there are furniture brands that captured the spirit and beauty of the Federal period better than others. These are our top brands to look for when you wish to decorate your home in the Federal style.
1.Hickory Chair
Hickory Chair has been known as a premier American Furniture Company for more than one hundred years. And for good reason. This quality North Carolina Brand focuses mostly on upholstered goods, but also has an extensive range of case goods.
With Hickory Chair sofas, chairs and settees, you will find top notch frames with quality construction. Obviously that means eight way tied springs, high quality foam and excellent, high durability fabrics.
As far as style goes, Hickory Chair living room furniture typically follows the classic styles. So, Federal style legs often peek out from their elegant sofas and Hickory Chair wing back chairs. Also, you can find Chippendale legs with ball and claw feet on several of their vintage sofas and chairs.
Certain modifications on size, depth and of course the use of modern foams make Hickory Chair sofas and upholstered goods incredibly comfortable, too. Some even have down cushions for a great look and extra cloud-like softness!
Indeed, Hickory Chair is a go-to brand for a Federal house or Federal Style living room.
2.Stickley Furniture
Many people know Stickley Furniture for their Arts and Crafts or Mission style furniture. However, the brand has an extensive selection of beautiful Federal Style furniture as well.
Indeed, Stickley Federal style furniture comes with the well known dedication to quality. You will find incredible Stickley Federal pieces have:
- Real inlaid woods, like Satinwood and rosewood.
- Prime Mahogany with incredible grain patterns.
- Dovetailing and Pin and Mortise Construction.
- A Beautiful Lusturous sheen and quality hand-rubbed finish.
For these reasons, Stickley Federal reproductions can have a higher price tag than other brands. However, we definitely think used Stickley furniture is worth the investment for a fine Federal house.
3.Baker Furniture
Baker Furniture Company is a great choice for any Federal house or Federal leaning home. Baker’s fine reproductions mimic authentic antiques from the Federal period with exceptional finishes and detail.
Indeed, two lines by Baker really fit the bill when it comes to furnishing Federal houses: “The Charleston Collection” and the “Stately Homes Collection.”
Both feature incredible, timeless styles that fit the classic architecture and proportions of Federal style homes. Of course, they also feature the bells and whistles of Federal style antiques. You will find beautiful inlay, solid brass hardware, glazed glass doors and really incredible cabinets and tables by Baker.
Like Stickley Furniture, Baker does have a reputation for expense. So, make sure you really consider the budget when selecting choice Baker pieces. For instance, you may opt for a few statement pieces, such as a Baker china cabinet, or a Baker Furniture Sideboard.
4.Kittinger Furniture
It would be a shame not to mention the most famous Federal house in America– The White House and its beautiful Kittinger furniture.
Indeed, most of the White House is furnished with reproductions by Buffalo, New York Company, Kittinger Furniture. Their incredible mahogany conference tables, high quality upholstered arm chairs and beautiful desks and sideboards all decorate the offices and halls of the White House.
Likewise, Colonial Williamsburg had a licensed line of furniture with Kittinger for several decades. So, CW marked Kittinger Furniture also really works well in the rooms with Federal architecture.
So, clearly, Kittinger offers an excellent choice when you are looking to furnish a Federal style home.
5. Councill Craftsman
Councill Craftsman cannot be left off this list! Federal houses can be incredibly enhanced with pieces by this high quality furniture maker.
Unlike other brands on this list, Councill Craftsman is relatively young as a furniture company. They opened in 1976 and have developed a great reputation since.
Today, the brand Kindel Furniture has acquired Councill and continues to offer fine Federal furniture to the masses. Their exquisite mahogany and walnut wood case furniture shows great attention to detail and craftsmanship.
However, if you really want to embrace the Federal look, you may have better luck shopping for vintage Councill Furniture on places like eBay and Chairish.
Indeed, in the 1980s through the early 2000s, Councill made a huge impact with their fine reproduction of Federal furniture. So, while you may have to live with subtle flaws, vintage Councill Craftsmen Furniture offers a great and affordable option for furnishing your grand manor!
6. Harden Furniture
Harden Furniture sadly closed in late 2018. However, fine vintage furniture by Harden no doubt will carry Federal and Colonial Homes for many more decades to come.
Fine furniture by Harden features mostly cherry woods, harvested near their New York State factories. However, some mahogany features in select models of furniture by Harden.
Harden strove to offer great quality reproduction and adaptations of American furniture from the early 18th through late 18th century. So, Harden Furniture looks incredibly compatible in old and newer homes that have classic features.
Of course, you will find that Harden Federal pieces, like Harden highboys and sideboards tend to cost a pretty penny. However, most vintage Harden furniture can be acquired for less than some of the brands on this list. Indeed, you can often find Federal reproductions by Harden at great prices.
7. Statton Furniture
Statton Furniture from Hagerstown, Maryland has been out of business for several years now. However, vintage Statton Furniture really can help bring a tony look to a Federal decorating scheme.
Statton Poster Beds, often with carved Federal style motifs, can really carry a master bedroom. So, look for designs like Pineapple poster beds, carved rice and wheat motifs on Statton vintage beds. No doubt these fine cherry and mahogany Statton pieces can bring the fine look of the Federal period into your home.
Additionally, Federal pieces by Statton can range from simpler country home styles with lines like Trutype by Statton. Or you can opt for fancier and darker finishes commonly found on Statton’s Private Collection line.
Either way, Statton offers a great choice to enhance the early American architecture of your home.
Federal House Decorating
Federal House Decorating takes some time and some experience. But, if you stick with the best furniture brands mentioned above, you will have a beautiful Federal style house you can be proud of.
Opting for these select brands will no doubt give you a regal and elegant look in your old or new home. And, if you opt for gently used Federal furniture, you can really save some money, too. So, do not forget your local antique furniture store online near you, or online vendors for the best deals.