Question 1

What was in fashion in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

Bold, head-turning looks were in fashion during the 1980s. It was the decade of bright electric neon colors as well as suits, jackets, tops and dresses with shoulder pads. The aerobics and fitness craze of the ’80s spilled over into fashion, with people sporting leg warmers, headbands and leggings as everyday apparel. Punk culture also influenced style, with leather jackets, fishnet stockings and chunky metal jewelry being favored by some. Denim looks of the time were often baggy and flaunted acid washes. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage apparel and accessories from the 1980s.

Question 2

Was plaid popular in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, plaid was popular in the 1980s. Interestingly, it was a signature feature of two very different styles that trended during the decade. Plaid appeared on pleated skirts and blazers, common among the preppy set. In addition, many in the punk subculture sported plaid pants and dresses. Find a wide variety of 1980s apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.

Question 3

Was Versace popular in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although Versace remains one of the top fashion houses of today, the 1980s are considered the heyday of Versace. Campaigns included top supermodels of the time, including Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer, and were shot by the top photographers Richard Avedon and Bruce Weber. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Versace apparel and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What dress was popular in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

One of the most popular types of dresses during the 1980s was a tight-fitting sheath with oversized shoulder pads. Peplum accents were also common as were large puffy sleeves. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 1980s vintage dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is French furniture called?

Accepted Answer

French furniture is usually just called French furniture in English. In French, someone might say "les meubles français," which translates directly to "French furniture." However, there are names for furniture styles inspired by the furniture produced in France. French Provincial is the name for pieces made in or inspired by craftsmen from the Loire Valley or in Lyon. Furniture produced in this style often shows off scalloped carvings and curving cabriole legs. French royal furniture is the general term for furnishings made for the monarchs of France or inspired by these pieces. An example is Louis XVI furniture, which often includes clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. Find a wide variety of French furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What are some French furniture styles?

Accepted Answer

Some popular French furniture styles of the 19th century include Directoire, Empire and Restoration. The Regency style popular from 1715 to 1730 is also well known. Many styles share their names with the monarchs who ruled during the period. Examples include the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of French furniture.

Question 7

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 8

What do you call furniture from the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 9

What is 1950s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.

Question 10

What is 1970s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1970s furniture is called varies. Generally, you may see pieces produced during the decade classified as "vintage" or "retro" furniture. During the 1970s, some makers continued to produce furniture that boasted the characteristics of mid-century modern works. The disco era yielded furnishings with organic, often rounded shapes, unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and a mix of materials. The showy leather furniture of the 1970s, which was both sexy and comfortable, is seeing a resurgence in today’s homes. Shop a wide variety of vintage 1970s furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 11

What is ’70s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.

Question 12

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 13

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 14

How do I know if my French furniture is provincial?

Accepted Answer

To know if your French furniture is provincial, examine its decorative flourishes. Provincial furniture often showed off a white painted finish with gold gilt accents. Many pieces feature carvings depicting mythological subjects or floral motifs. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted French provincial furniture.

Question 15

What is the 1950s furniture style called?

Accepted Answer

The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 16

What is 1960s-style furniture called?

Accepted Answer

Generally, 1960s-style furniture is called mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Some of the most notable furniture designers of the time include Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Hans J. Wegner. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 17

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

Accepted Answer

In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.

1980s French Furniture

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Contemporary Art

Set of Four Vintage Christian Dior Colorful Silk Scarves, France, 1980s

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

"Panicaut des Alpes" French resin paperweight by Pierre Bodin - 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Wall Lights and Sconces

Wall light CP-1 by Charlotte Perriand, 1980s, France

Vintage 1980s French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Jean Claude Mahey Post-Modern Cocktail Table, 1980s France, Signed

Vintage 1980s French Paintings

Monique Beucher (1934), French artist. Oil on canvas. Abstract composition 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Paintings

Monique Beucher, French artist. Oil on canvas. Abstract composition. From 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Empire Console Tables

20th century French Empire Style Marbre and Cherrywood Console Table, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Minimalist Wall Lights and Sconces

White French Minimalist Wall Sconce By Pierre Disderot, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks

Saint-Louis Manufacture, Tutti Frutti Crystal Candle Holder, France 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern End Tables

Sculptural black wood side table, France 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Hollywood Regency Console Tables

Vintage Lacquer Console with Mirror, 1980s, France

Vintage 1980s European Table Lamps

Limestone Table Lamp, France, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Glass

20th century French set of Six Biot Blown glasses, 1980s

20th Century French Post-Modern Table Lamps

Postmodern French Glass Table Lamp from Trait D Union, 1980s

20th Century French Glass

Set of 14 Vintage Martini Glasses Pink Luminarc Champagne Bowls France, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Vases

Baccarat Hand-Blown Tapered Crystal Vase, Art Deco, France, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Pair of Brass Agate Fish Lamps by Henri Fernandez, France, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vases

French Pierre Cardin Pink Flower Glass Vase, Signed, 1980s

Late 20th Century Floor Lamps

1980s French Metallic Standing Lamp

Vintage 1980s French Modern Contemporary Art

1980 s Kerry Hallam Amalfi Coast Mediterranean Limited Edition Signed Serigraph

Vintage 1980s French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French modern hexagonal white wooden coffee tables by Roche Bobois, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Lounge Chairs

Hermes Inspired Saddle Stitched Brown Green Leather Lounge Chairs, 1980s, France

Late 20th Century French Armchairs

1980s Pair of French Red Upholstered Armchairs

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Center Tables

Jeanne Pierre Picheny inspired Pop Art Blue Jeans Coffee Table, France 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Modern Candelabras

Serge Mansau, Set of Two Gradual Candelabras / Soliflor vases, France 1980s

20th Century French Jars

Vintage French Glass Carafe Jug by Jean-Pierre Umbdenstock, 1980s

Late 20th Century French Collectible Jewelry

French red and gold tone ear clips by Nina Ricci, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Modern Animal Sculptures

French modern white ceramic greyhound dog sculpture by Roche Bobois, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Floor Lamp attr. to Jacques Grange for Yves Saint Laurent – France 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Wine Coolers

20th century French Louis Roederer Silver Plated Champagne Cooler, 1980s

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Busts

1980s French Glazed White Ceramic Bust

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Mid-Century Blonde Oak Side Table, France 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern End Tables

Pair of Elm Bedside Tables, Edition Prestige Ameublement, France, C. 1980s

Vintage 1980s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Wicker Pine Needle Table and Stools, 1980s France

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Maison le dauphin table lamp , 1980s France

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Modern Desk Lamp by André Mounique for Jumo - France, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

French 1980s Space Age Wall Lamps

Vintage 1980s Vases

Lead Crystal Vase, France, 1980s

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Stools

A striking set Modernist curved metal stools from France, dating to the 1980s.

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Stools