A patio dining set is the ultimate summer accessory and, like a piece of clothing, it can convey many styles. Some are modern, some are old-fashioned, and are made of many different materials, including wicker, resin, and wood. The Queen Anne style of design is often used in traditional Amish woodwork, and is actually an offshoot of the William and Mary style, but also closely resembles the traditional Oriental aesthetic.
Referencing Queen Anne, ruler of England from 1702-1714, it embodies a refined and elegant look.
In general, the characteristics of a terrace set and other Queen Anne furniture are as follows: a violin-shaped backrest, handles in the shape of bat wings (on dressers, cabinets, etc.) and cabriole legs that end in the shape of a claw or block . The resulting look is one of old world elegance and luxury.
Legs and feet
The cabriolet-style legs of these seats are carved in elaborate detail, with a curved knee and ending in those old-fashioned-looking feet often seen on vintage bathtubs. Among the carvings are the motifs of acanthus leaves and seashells. The foot itself takes various forms. The ball and claw is a carved claw foot that grips a ball; the block is flat surfaced; the bun is rounded but flatter than a ball; the Drake is a simply carved animal paw; finally, the pad is a simple carved foot.
framework
The seat of a Queen Anne chair is rounded or horseshoe-shaped, with a curved or serpentine front.
The arms of these chairs are slightly curved outward, while the violin-shaped back with a central flare is left plain or upholstered. For outdoor use, what you think of upholstery would actually be removable waterproof cushions, less fancy, but much more practical for care and cleaning.
fabric cushion
For use indoors, or even in a sunroom, you can choose the delicate and beautiful fabrics for which the Queen Anne style is best known. These include chintz, velvet, damask, tapestry, needlepoint, and crewel. Again, for outdoor use, any of these materials are not suitable for the job. Cushions for a patio dining set should be made of durable, waterproof materials like Sunbrella, which is resistant to tearing, fading, and staining.
Wood
The Queen Anne style is made almost exclusively of wood, as it originally was. The woods used were many and varied depending on the region and use. They included the following: ash, cherry, black walnut, maple, and elm. Although some of these can be used outdoors, many of the softer woods are not strong enough to withstand the elements. Look for sturdier hardwoods like teak, cedar, and cypress to use for your patio dining set. Whatever the wood, make sure it is covered with a lacquer, oil varnish, or wax. In addition to regular cleaning, the wood will most likely need to be re-oiled every couple of years.
Hardware
As for the joints that hold the wooden pieces together, these are usually made of a matching wood, which has the advantage that it does not rust, but it is not as resistant as the alternative, metal fittings. Although the original pieces used brass hardware, outdoor furniture requires a rust-resistant, coated metal such as zinc.
The unions of these pieces are dovetailed, with straight lines or cimacuros.
Originally intended solely for indoor use, the Queen Anne style can be adapted like so many other styles for use in outdoor furniture. With a few design and construction modifications, your patio dining set can retain the elegance of this vintage style but still last through the years.