Ornate Feet and Legs

Hi, I’m Susi, a writer for Design Shuffle, a social media site that brings together designers and design lovers in one place to showcase their interior designs and find inspiration. I love visiting the blogs of interior designers like Ciao Interiors as a guest blogger. I get so much inspiration from seeing designers’ portfolios. My guest post today is about details, specifically ornate feet and legs on furniture. Good design definitely lives in the details. Enjoy!

This French style sofa is a great example of ornate feet and legs. The curving cabriole legs end in scrolled toes; both are decorated with carved acanthus leaves for extra decorative detail.

These Napoleon III side chairs from 1870 have turned legs that end in casters (wheels) with brass fittings. The turned legs are typical of this era and have a sculptural quality.

The legs on this chair are highlighted with gilding, which draws attention their carved and turned decoration. The type of carving on the leg is carved fluting. You’ll see this chair often online–in dining room design ideas.

Scrolled toes are highlighted by the gold paint on black on these French armchairs. Cabriole legs typically end in scrolled toes with the ornate scrolling varying from elaborate to subtle.

Acanthus leaves on the “knees” or tops of these cabriole legs are typical of Chippendale style furniture. Ball and claw or without the ball, paw, feet are typical of English and American antiques.

This console table has incredibly sculptural legs called lion’s head legs that end in paw feet. Typical of Empire style, these and the human version, called caryatids, are influenced by ancient designs. Console tables like this one are often seen as the focal point in the interior design of a formal foyer.

Paw feet, sometimes called lion’s claw, can be stylized or realistic, as seen on this 19th century table. The realism can even extend to include fur and is then called a hairy claw foot.

Perhaps the most ornate legs and feet belong to Rococo style furniture like this console table and matching mirror. Scrolls, acanthus leaves, even dolphin heads can be found on Rococo style legs and feet.
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It’s all in the details! To find more detailed inspiration, head on over to Design Shuffle where you can learn about the history of interior design and find spectacular inspiration and more!