The back was high, with encircling arms, and fully upholstered. Originally, they were open-ended as in the walnut Louis XVI-style example here. Later versions developed footrests and backrests running down the length of the piece. The first styles of the récamier were backless. Later versions incorporated a type of half-back. Small neck-roll style pillows, as shown with this American example, provided additional cushioned comfort. “Turkish-style” pieces became the rage in the second half of the century, modeled vaguely on couches popular abroad that had skirts, tufted upholstery, and tassels, as shown in this combination Turkish couch/méridienne, circa 1870. After the 19th century, the popularity of daybeds began to wane, likely because of smaller rooms and busier 20th-century lifestyles that had no time for swooning. The daybed began to transform itself into the recliner and the sofa bed which features a built-in mattress.
