The Directoire Style was a transitional style between Louis XVI and Empire Style.
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directoire_style#/media/File:Couven_Directoire-Zimmer_1.jpg
History of This Style
The Directoire style was introduced by the architects and designers Charles Percier and Pier François Léonard Fontaine. In its employment of Neoclassical architectural forms and decorative patterns, the style was the predecessor of the more complicated Empire style, which was introduced after Napoleon established the First French Empire.
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/188b0440-4e64-4890-a013-fcaf3a98b925 by corno.fulgur75
Directoire Style Characteristics
The Directoire style reflected the values of republican Rome. Revolutionary emblems could be found on furnishings, decorations, and textiles. The furniture was meant to be a copy of relics discovered in the excavations of Pompeii, or be inspired by representations of antiquity in general. Furniture and ornaments were less used, simple lines were important in this style. Mahogany was a key element.
Interior Designers
Charles Percier, for example, was a French architect, and designer, who worked closely with Pierre François Léonard Fontaine. They invented and strongly promoted the Directoire style. In 1799 Napoleon wanted them to redecorate Malmaison. After that, they worked to decorate Saint Could, the Tuileries, the Louvre, and other apartments of important buildings in France.
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/e3c08c14-959a-4ec7-9dad-c9fa5aa14527
Clothing and Fashion
It was a classical style, based on an idealization of ancient Greek and Roman dress with narrow skirts. In this period the willingness to expose the breast started to affect fashion. The style was appropriate for a pregnant or nursing woman as the breasts were exposed and their availability was improved. Maternity became fashionable and it was common for women to walk around with their breasts exposed. White was considered the perfect color for the neoclassical style of clothing.
Info source: https://www.britannica.com/art/Directoire-style
