The real re - awakening of learning and appreciation of Classical forms, both Roman and Greek was marked by Renaissance, born in Italy. Its influence was visible in all form of arts. From architecture to the furniture. That influence spread trough Europe, causing breakaway from Gothic tradition. Many discoveries and developments in different trades did raise them to a higher level. There is growing interest in furniture making and increasing number of new manufactures. The new tool - a saw for making veneers is developed in half of 16th century and adopted in woodworking shops.
In the projects of Renaissance furniture, fantasy is replaced with tendency to realism. Gothic designs are abandoned and ancient (Roman Emporium) are coming back. Pieces from that period were much more decorated and presentable, than Gothic. Mysterious carving, intarsia and inlays applied to almost every possible plain surface. Characteristic pieces from that time are: secretary - desk, four door wardrobe - which was allowing to hang dresses instead of folding them on the shelves, built - in wardrobes. Main attention was focused on the overall appearance and detail, but some of the good construction details from Gothic were overlooked, and generally based on the antique designs. The early Tudor period marked transition from a Gothic style. Majority of pieces was made of oak, decorated with chip carving and inlay work. The carving took the form of low relief work, or panels - portraits, medallions, the Tudor Rose,
flowers birds, fruits and human forms. During this period, the Linen fold panel was introduced to England. It represents fabric folded over on itself and carved in elaborate fashions.
Elizabethan period is marked with design improvements. Draw -leaf table with a large turned legs, a massive court cupboard, which became storing space, rather than cup - board. Inlay has been use more extensively. Contrasting woods, such as holly and bog oak were used.
During the Jacobean period, covering reigns of James I and Charles I, rich decorations and heavy turnings gave way to split turning, geometrical shapes and drawer fronts paneled with diamond, or lozenge shapes, often used as applied decoration, which gave the effect of high relief work. Punched leather was used for chairs.
In France, well balanced Renaissance design was overcome by elegance of Baroque ( Louis XIV ) style characterized generally by oval lines. Furniture from that period are pieces of art, excessively decorated, gilded, carved. Rich marquetry is often covering every free space. The best known furniture maker during Louis XIV period - Andre Charles Boulle- founder of first furniture makers school- created many new types, beautifully decorated with marquetry and bronze ornaments.
Cromwellian ( Commonwealth), puritan regime wasn't mark by any significant changes, except further simplifying and applied decorations.
Restoration - reign of Charles II and James II, return of Charles II from exhale and restoration of throne, called for new style and designs. Influences from Dutch, Flemish, French, Spanish and Italian can be noticed. Walnut wood become popular in a form of veneers and solid. Oak construction was abandoned and replaced by refined dovetail joints. Gate leg table made its appearance. Upholstery was used more widely. Dutch marquetry -birds flowers, foliage, high back, carved chairs, and Flemish scroll is typical in that period.
During William and Mary period, many foreign craftsmen brought with them new trends and ideas. Flat stretcher rails and frames on chairs and tables,the first cabriole leg, resembling an animal leg with hoof and club foot appeared. New pieces associated with a tea drinking, card tables and bureaux were introduced. Grinling Gibbons with his wood carving - can be seen at St Paul's Cathedral - should be mentioned here.
Queen Anne style is marked with a few developments. Furniture was more luxuriously designed and finished. Walnut became a wood for quality work, however oak was still used for standard furnishing of common use. Upholstery often covered most of the woodwork and that craft has become firmly established. Tall boys, chest of drawers, bookcases and chair with a fiddle shaped splat are examples of that period. Cabriole leg was commonly used with the " shell" pattern, ball and claw - also known as " lions paw" foot carved on. A newly introduced pieces were also: upholstered easy chair, sofas and stools. There is less tendency towards marquetry, instead matched veneers ornamented with cross banding are becoming more popular. Country style - Windsor chair is making its appearance, but precise date is unknown.
With the abolition of the import tax on exotic woods ( 1733 ), mahogany become widely use and quickly recognized as a prime lumber. Its been introduced before, by Sir Walter Raleigh, but high price and small quantity brought from Spain reduced its use to a finest pieces. Mahogany furniture at first followed the styles used in walnut but gradually there forms become more elaborated, pierced, carved and in forms of beutifully matched veneers. Often, that period is called The Age of Mahogany and the Golden Age of Cabinet Making. Changes in furniture making of that period are marked by Georgian style, Thomas Chippendale, Robert Adam, George Heppelwhite, Louis XV 
period in France with Jean Francois Oeben and Jean Henri Riesener -great furniture makers and Thomas Sheraton.
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