Arts And Crafts Oak Linen Presses

Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.

The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.

American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.

Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.

Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.

A vintage, new or antique linen press is a great way to prevent wrinkles while storing linens in a space that will remain dry.

Linen presses are a type of storage cabinet used to store domestic linens such as bedsheets, napkins and tablecloths. Early models had storage space as well as a pressing device, with some also having features that aired the linens. The purpose of these linen presses was to protect and care for valuable textiles.

These cupboards were popular from the 17th century to the 19th century in Europe and the United States, after which more modern options, like wardrobes and ironing boards, were widely adopted.

Early linen presses were often very simple, but over the years they became more complex and ornate with carved wooden details. As they frequently borrow elements from cupboards and wardrobes, linen presses are perfect for adding storage space to a home. Some can display decorative objects like dinnerware while storing sheets and other linen essentials in drawers.

While they have a practical purpose, linen presses can set the tone for a room especially because their large size makes them a focal point. Some have rustic looks, others have polished wood surfaces that reflect light, making a room seem brighter.

On 1stDibs, a range of vintage, new and antique linen presses can be found for anyone in need of a storage solution. They range from mid-century modern linen presses with angular lines, practical features and symmetrical shapes to Rococo pieces with soft lines, carved elements and delicate details.