DIRECTOIRE STYLE, a loose term designating, in archi tecture, furniture, etc., the transitional work between the restrained classicism of the Louis XVI. style (see LOUIS STYLES) and the Roman heaviness of the Empire style (q.v.); so-called from the French Directory which was in power 1795-99. The style is char acterized by a gradual loss of the delicacy and grace of Louis XVI. forms and a growing enthusiasm for purely Roman motives.