the "directory style" of furniture is described here. It was especially popular in France:

Directory - style chair (end of XVIII C.).
After the French Revolution a new fashion took hold in Europe. It was characterized by simpler, purer forms and geometries and by the use of such woods, as elmewood, walnut and various fruit-tree woods.
http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/179493

Here is a French site with a picture of a "chaise directoire" which is given in English as "directory chair":
http://www.marjolet.com/produit.php?meuble=chaise-directoire...

Here is a description of a Paris hotel furnished with directory-style furniture:
SPLENDID LUXURY ART-DECO HOTEL DECORATED
WITH NAPOLEONIC AND DIRECTORY STYLE FURNITURE.
http://www.paris-hotels-stay.com/hotels/napoleon-hotel-didyb...


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Note added at 1 hr (2008-03-22 17:10:26 GMT)
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here is the French wikipedia entry about the "Style Directoire" (Directory Style):
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_Directoire

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Note added at 5 hrs (2008-03-22 20:41:39 GMT)
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hi, I checked out "directoire chair" and yes, it's correct because "directoire style" is used too in English, please see Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directoire
Directoire style describes a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design, concurrent with the post-Revolution French Directory (November 2, 1795 through November 10, 1799). The style is distinct for use of neoclassical architectural forms, minimal carving, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting.

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Note added at 17 hrs (2008-03-23 08:44:08 GMT)
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I found 989 hits for "directoire furniture" so it seems to be a pretty well-known term!
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p="directoire furniture"&fr=y...

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Note added at 17 hrs (2008-03-23 08:46:03 GMT)
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also 464 hits for "directoire chair" (and about the same number with "chairs" - plural):
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5V1GOZHFQYB5KhXNyoA...