It's almost impossible to discuss a specific furniture or architecture

style in just one post.  Eastlake is one such movement.

Possibly begun as a backlash to more ornate Victorian designs, Eastlake might be one of the least known furniture movements of the last 200 years.

Introduced by British architect and furniture designer Charles Locke Eastlake (1836-1906), the intricate designs quickly caught on with Americans in the 1870s.  Eastlake's work had a profound influence on our Empire furniture designs of the Craftsman style in the early 1900s.

A traditional Victorian dresser . . . . 

. . . . . compared to an Eastlake dresser:

     

Although there aren't many photos available of Eastlake projects, today's

Before and After Friday is devoted to this unique and charming style.

The intricate carving is much more pronounced
after the wood was stripped and cleaned.
Before                                               After

Maxwell Fabrics

Before                             After

Home Workshop
As fresh as this update is I have a hard
time with painting such beautiful wood.


I'm just not sure I'm on board with painting this majestic bed:
Before

After:

Blue Roof Cabin
I definitely love the fabric, though.




Call me a traditionalist but I prefer the 'before':
Before                                              After

The Eastlake rocker, below, was restored to it's former beauty:
Before                                                          After
    
Simply Chic Treasures



The Victorians favored velvet but the reupholstered
fabric, below, seems more appropriate:

Jolene Smith Interiors


Although I don't have the before photo for this
chair, the new fabric just doesn't seem right:





Which of these fabrics do you prefer?
Before                                                    After
     
Stitch a Wish Design



An Eastlake divan was painted and reupholstered:

Source




An upholsterer/furniture refinisher experimented with an Eastlake settee,
showing how two different fabrics and stains would look on the same piece: 

Brand Launcher
Which side do you like?



Original velvet on the left, contemporary fabric on the right:

Christa Pirl Furniture



Though not classically Eastlake, this antique
rocker retains some of the period's influence:
Before                               After
     
Alchemy Fine Living

Here's another rocker going through the upholstery process: 

Rowlands Upholstery


As photography became more affordable in the late 1800s,
you'll find examples of Eastlake furniture used as props.




Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend!