Colonial

This architecture style is a simple and enduring. It didn't offer the wild designs of the Gothic Revival or Victorian styles, rather focusing on a simple design. True colonial architecture is usually recognized by a a symmetrical house design, with a centered front door, windows centered on either side of the house and a centrally located chimney. There was usually a staircase centered in the house to emphasize the symmetry. Differing greatly from the extravagance of the Victorian styles which focused on elaborate designs. 

Colonial houses were built to accommodate growing families, and designers were looking more closely at the idea of basic living areas. As a result, two story homes became relatively normal, which the bedrooms (usually 4) located in the upper level and living spaces on the lower level. The kitchen was usually located at the back of the house, in order to prevent heat from moving into the living spaces. 

Each cultured has influenced the Colonial Colonial style and individualized it:

• English Colonial homes were built using techniques brought by settlers from England. The basic designs were the Saltbox style and the Cape Cod style.
• Dutch Colonial homes added steeply pitched gambrel roofs, split doors or batten doors and chimneys on either side of the house.
• French Colonial homes reflected the artistic French culture, with tall, narrow windows and doors, hipped or gabled roofs and shutters.
• Spanish Colonial homes are generally made of stucco with smooth adobe walls and chimneys and red-tiled roofs.
• Georgian Colonial homes added paneled doors with intricately carved crowns and columns, supported by hipped roofs and adorned with double-hung windows, crisscrossed into 9 to 12 small panes of glass

http://www.life123.com/arts-culture/architecture-2/colonial-architecture/colonial-architecture.shtml

Chair, owned by Governor Lachlan Macquarie

1820-1821

Rose Mahogany (Dysozylon fraseranum), Casuarina, Australia red cedar (Toona ciliata), Modern upholstery of eastern grey wallaby fur.

Height: 1310mm, Width: 725mm, Depth 584mm

John Webster (Carver)

William Temple (Cabinet maker)

New South Wales, Australia

H6862 (registration number)

This particular chair is currently in the Powerhouse collection and is one of the most important examples of early colonial furniture. It was made for Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales 1810-1822. It was crafter by convicts in 1820-21. 

Made from Australian rose mahogany, which was a NSW timber used extensively during this period, and with replacement wallaby fur upholstery. The chair bears the Macquarie crest of a raised dagger as its central finial. 

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=246808

Sideboard table c. 1815

Scrub beefood, cedar, pine, eucalypt sp., metal

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Attributed to the workshop of Lawrence Butler

Height: 760mm, Width: 1750mm, Depth 678mm

1810-1820 (Production date)

88/882 (Registration number)

Designed by Lawrence Butler

Used by John Reid

This is a rare example of high quality, early colonial cabinet making. It is also one of the earliest pieces of Australian furniture in the Powerhouse museum's collection, which presents a fine example of the transportation of the late 18th century English (Sheraton) style to Australia.
http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=89063#ixzz2w5mi8WJ4 

* Colonial replica furniture can be purchased here.