Lillian August: Transitional Furniture and Accents
Lillian August blends traditional form with contemporary influence across tables, chests, and mirrors that hold their own in rooms where personality drives the scheme. Sutter & Vale carries the full range, and the pieces mix across styles without demanding a dedicated period setting. Browse the complete Lillian August collection to see what is currently available.
What Makes Lillian August Furniture Transitional?
Transitional furniture takes structured silhouettes from classical precedent and finishes them with materials that read as current rather than period-specific. Lillian August does exactly that. The shapes are disciplined. The hardware, glass panels, and surface treatments keep them from feeling stiff or strictly formal. The result is furniture that works in a room with a confident design point of view, and that holds its ground when mixed with pieces from other makers.
How Do the Essex Chests Fit Into a Room?
The Essex Chest is storage with a clear material identity, not a neutral box. Two versions share the same footprint: 36 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 32 inches tall. Each is built on an acacia wood case, fully paneled in reverse painted glass, framed in steel with an aged brass finish, and fitted with three drawers.
| Version | Glass Surface | Frame Finish | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Chest, tinted | Reverse painted, tinted | Steel, aged brass | 36W x 18D x 32H |
| Essex Chest, white | Reverse painted, white | Steel, aged brass | 36W x 18D x 32H |
The choice between the two comes down to surface tone and room mood, not fit. At 32 inches tall, either version sits low enough to place art or a mirror above without the composition feeling compressed. At 18 inches deep, the chest works in a hallway where a deeper piece would not.
Which Lillian August Mirrors Work Above a Chest or Console?
The Athena mirrors are a natural answer to that question. The Athena Mirror in Gold and the Athena Mirror in Silver share the same profile: 54 inches tall, 30 inches wide, and just 1.25 inches deep, so they sit flat against a wall without projecting into the room.
The gold version frames clear mirror glass in beveled, lightly antiqued mirrored sections bordered by aged gold wood trim. The silver version uses the same construction with aged silver wood trim. Hung above an Essex Chest, a 54-inch mirror clears the chest's 32-inch top by enough space to read as intentional. The gold trim carries forward the aged brass hardware on the chest. The silver trim introduces a cooler note where the room calls for one.
Where Does the Jasper Credenza Work in a Transitional Scheme?
The Jasper Six Door Credenza draws from international design of the 1960s and delivers long, low horizontal lines that anchor a room. It is 84 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 29 inches tall. An all-walnut case holds six doors finished in gloss white with relief surface patterns. Oversize brass hardware ties back to a plinth base.
At that scale, the Jasper works in a living room, a dining room, or a bedroom where a generous horizontal surface is useful. The walnut and brass combination connects it to transitional rooms without locking it to any single decade or style.
Key sizing notes for the Jasper:
- 84 inches wide: plan for at least 6 inches of clearance on each side in most arrangements
- 29 inches tall: lower than standard console height, which keeps sightlines open across the room
- 20 inches deep: shallow enough for most dining room walls without encroaching on seating space
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I confirm a Lillian August piece will fit my space before ordering?
Work from the product dimensions first, and give weight to depth as much as width. Allow at least 36 inches of clear walkway in front of any chest or credenza, and measure doorways and hallways on the delivery path before placing an order.
Are Lillian August pieces made to order?
Some pieces in the Lillian August program are made to order, which means lead times apply. Check the individual product page for current lead time information before planning around a specific installation date.
Can Lillian August furniture mix with pieces from other houses?
The material palette, brass hardware, and transitional silhouettes in the Lillian August line are calibrated to sit alongside pieces from other makers. The house is designed to reward mixing rather than require a room furnished entirely within one collection.
The Sutter & Vale Team
