Sandy Kay Slawson (The Homemaker/Writer): My First Novel's Inspirations~The Conclusion/Furni...

Sandy Kay Slawson (The Homemaker/Writer): My First Novel's Inspirations~The Conclusion/Furni...: Hello! So glad you could make it for my last installment in my series My First Novel's Inspirations . I have enjoyed this series, but it...

My First Novel's Inspirations~The Conclusion/Furniture

Hello! So glad you could make it for my last installment in my series My First Novel's Inspirations. I have enjoyed this series, but it's time to move on. Before I get into the meat of my post, I want to direct you to my website. I hope you will subscribe while you're there. I plan to have a newsletter sent out by the end of this week. I have plenty to share with you about my writing journey, my trip to the ACFW Conference last week, as well as other changes coming. BUT, only my subscribers will receive my newsletter, so don't miss out. It's free and I won't overrun your email with spam. Thank you for being here! 

In my novel, Hope for Charity, I have the task (I'm still editing.) of balancing my story with descriptions of the places, people and things in my novel. I want to give you glimpses of these things, without making it read like a catalog description. In today's publishing world, there are guidelines. A writer is to keep their manuscripts between about 75,000 to 95,000 words. Here are some well known books from the past and their word count.

Ayn Rand-Atlas Shrugged 561,996

Charles Dickens-A Tale of Two Cities 135,420

Daniel Defoe-Moll Flanders 138,087

Emily Bronte-Wuthering Heights 107,945

Fyodor Dostoyevsky-Crime and Punishment 211,591

George Eliot-Middlemarch 316,059

Harriet Beecher Stowe-Uncle Tom’s Cabin 166,622
Henry David Thoreau-Walden 114,634

James Fenimore Cooper-Last of the Mohicans145,469

John Steinback-The Grapes of Wrath 169,481

John Steinback-East of Eden 225,395

Leo Tolstoy-War and Peace 587,287

Mark Twain-The Adventures of Huck Finn 109,571

Mark Twain-Life on the Mississippi 127,776

These books are memorable. These books make a mark on their readers. Why? I personally think it's because the authors weren't limited. They were allowed to tell their stories to their fullest. Able to describe their "worlds" in ways that made the readers feel like they were a part of the story. We're told today's readers are different. They supposedly need the fast food equivalent in books. What do you think?

 I'll write to the best of my ability within the confines of the guidelines, even though I would love to describe every piece of furniture, every clothing item, every person, etc., it just isn't feasible. So, dust off those imaginations people, I'll give you a taste and then it's up to you.

I do hope this series helps. When or if you read my story you will have an idea of the styles and environment of the times to give you a head start. I'd love to know if you have any favorites.

Alright, let's finish this series up with Georgian Era furniture. With me it's a love/hate relationship! What do you think?

Kitchen/Dining Room

Modest Oak Table with Benches and Chairs

Kitchen Wash Stand

Hearth (Oven & Stove)

"The Georgian style became lighter throughout the one-hundred-and-twenty-three-year period, with regard to decoration, colours and design. Earlier Georgian style veered towards burgundy’s, greens and grey’s, however colours became muted over time, with soft dusky pinks and Wedgwood blues gaining in popularity. There was a chinoiserie feel to the décor, with soft furnishings such as cotton fabrics featuring small, delicate sprigs of flowers; often upper class Georgian homes had matching curtains and upholstery.

Earlier Georgian furniture was sturdy and heavy, however as time passed symmetry, light and space determined the delicate furniture that was later made." 

Dining Room Table with Chairs/Mahogany

Sideboard

Sitting Area

"Georgian pieces are likely to be made from oak or mahogany; prior to 1730 walnut was the wood of preference. However when mahogany was imported, firstly from Cuba then Honduras, it was used to make the large majority of formal furniture produced during the time, as it was more durable.

Key pieces of furniture from this period include sideboards, kneehole desks, cabinets, chaise longues, four-poster beds and washstands. Furniture was often very delicate, winged chairs were a very popular choice." 

I love the embroidery on this couch.

Canepé a Oreilles

This gorgeous fabric is made even better with the contrast of the dark wood.

Baroque Style Chair

An Italian Rococo Giltwood Open Armchair mid-18th century, probably Venetian

I saw a chair like this recently on Facebook Marketplace. I know of a couple places in my home a chair like this would be useful. 😀

Corner Chair

This blue sofa is beautiful!

18th Century French Rococo Sofa

French Louis XVI Pedestal table in Mahogany

Bedroom

18th Century Canopy Bed

French Louis XV Giltwood Console Table with Marble Top (I pictured something like this for a bedside table.)

One of the bedrooms in my novel looks much like this small room.

Twin Beds

Small Table with Chairs

Office

18th Century George III Mahogany Pedestal Desk

18th Century Queen Anne Walnut Wing Chair With Tapestry 

"In particular, we think that the Georgian period produced some of the finest examples of furniture design. What makes Georgian furniture interesting, is the immense variety of styles that emerge throughout the period. From the years 1714 to 1830, over a century, we see outstanding craftsmanship from the likes of William Kent, Thomas Chippendale, Robert Adam and Thomas Hope." 

Georgian era furniture can definitely be on the ornate side. Some of it can be absolutely gaudy, but there are also many beautiful pieces. I hope you enjoyed looking at some of the pieces that inspired me.

Remember to subscribe to my website so you don't miss out on my newsletter. Have a great week and may the Lord God bless you and your family with Faith, Hope and Love in Jesus' Name.

In Christ,

Sandy

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