Glossary of terms that you may find useful
Furniture periods
Georgian 1795 to 1837
Regency 1811 to 1820
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Edwardian 1901 to 1910
Art Nouveau 1880 to 1914
Arts & Crafts 1880 to 1910
Woods
Pine is the term used to describe light wood furniture, known in the building trade as deal. Most old light wood furniture is made from Fir, Spruce, Larch, Cedar or one of many varieties of pine.
Elm was extensively used for making chair seats and coffins as it was renown for not splitting.
Pitch Pine is a tree from the southern United States, it is very grainy and has a high resin content leading to its extensive use in shipbuilding/building and furniture, particularly in churches.
Beech is mostly used for chair/table legs.
Ash is also used for chair and furniture manufacture, prized for its ability to be steamed and then bent as in a Windsor chair.
Other terms
Pembroke Table is a table with two flaps which can be opened to enlarge the top, first appearing in the 18th Century.
Lloyd Loom The original Lloyd Loom furniture was manufactured between 1922 and 1952, both here in the UK and in the USA. Although producing many different items they are best known for their chairs, which are now enjoying a revival.
Shaker Furniture is rural North American using local timber in a simple style, it was sometimes painted.