Named after William III and Mary II the co-regents of England of this era. This is one of the first styles to be produced in the colonies. It is a variation on Anglo-Dutch style and is characteristic of Baroque with features such as elaborate turnings, severe curves, and case pieces with simple flat surfaces and architectural trim. Commonly constructed of walnut, oak, pine, and maple.

The Pennsylvania Dutch period was marked by heavy German influences. The pieces were simple and utilitarian, with the predominant decoration colorful hand-painted scenes. The furniture from this period features straight lines, simple turnings, and tapered legs made from walnut, oak, and pine.

This style blends elements from the proceeding William and Mary period. It is named after the English monarch who reigned from 1702 to 1714.  It is ornate and often characterized by the newly introduced cabriole leg, curving chair crests, and decorative scallop and shells, and volutes.

Queen Anne became popular in the United States due to the expanding wealth of colonist. Cities were expanding at the same time. With this came regional variations such as Newport, Rhode Island, and Philadelphia adaptations. Common woods include cherry and mahogany.

Chippendale furniture is named after English cabinet maker Tomas Chippendale and derived from his book The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director. This was first furniture style named after a cabinet maker and not a monarch. It is closely related to the Queen Anne style. Designs fall into three main styles: Gothic, Rococo , and Chinese.

Mainly characterized by the style of the legs and feet including the lion’s paw, ball and claw, Marlborough, club, and spade. Chair backs are often intricately pierced and carved with ribbon motifs. Pieces were normally made of dark woods indigenous to the area.

The Shaker period was named after a religious movement of the period that had guiding principles of simplicity, utility and honesty. Their furniture was a reflection of these principles. Ornamentation was replaced with asymmetrical drawer arrangements and multipurpose forms to add visual interest. The appearance was primarily straight lines, doors with flat panels, woven or cane seat material, basic turned wooden knobs, and visible locking joinery. These underlying principals continue to give inspiration to modern furniture makers.

The Arts and Craft period symbolized a minimalist period in furniture design. Started by William Morris, it was a revolt against furniture made during the Industrial Revolution. The Morris Chair is one iconic piece from this period. In America, Gustav Stickley, Elbert Hubbard, Charles Limbert, and Greene and Greene were well know makers of Mission-style furniture. 

Common materials included leather for upholstery and quarter sawn oak. The oak is fumed with ammonia for a distinctive brown color.