The original designs of the firm of Robert and James Adam are preserved in the Soane Museum. There are thirty volumes, three of which have to do with furniture. One, entitled Furniture, Grates, Carpets, etc., contains 26 tables, 19 slabs, 8 commodes, 4 terms, 5 tripods, 17 sofas, 1 stool, 1 wine-cistern, 8 sideboards, 10 firescreens, 16 chairs, 7 bookcases, 12 beds, 2 presses, and 4 cabinets. Besides these there are 44 carpet designs, 1 counterpane, 18 grates and stoves, 15 curtain cornices, 3 chimney-boards - the whole comprising 224 designs.

Another volume, which shows the versatile practice of these architects, is entitled Musical Instruments, Brackets, Brasswork and Plate. It contains 19 organ cases, 8 brackets, 10 clock cases, 37 metal-work designs, 59 plates and vases, and 94 miscellaneous. A third volume, of Looking-Glasses and Girandoles, contains 259 drawings of glasses and frames.

The chief activity of the Adams and their clever coadjutors seems to have endured from about the year 1764 to 1784. In the former year the Earl of Coventry orders from them most elaborate gilt 'cloaths presses.' In September 1768 we have the first mention of their constant patron Robert Child, who commissions a cabinet in a very light classical style, with bell-flower dropping wreaths, honeysuckle or anthemion patterns, probably in composition, with wirework stiffening on the top, and vases with wired flowers on the lower shelf. A sideboard has four brass upright baluster-rails, with an open honeysuckle border at the top. In February 1769 there is evidence of the 'Chinese craze' affecting the Adams and their designers. A painted wall decoration has for its central subject a slight open temple with a smoking urn. So far their customary classical note predominates, but in the pediment there is a landscape with a pagoda, supported by two Chinese figures with the usual conical hats. There are also bells and umbrella shapes such as were the ordinary Chinese stock-in-trade. In 1771 we meet with a Design for a Cabinet for Her Grace the Duchess of Manchester, made to receive eleven pieces of Scagliola Landskips; the parts shaded yellow show what may be gilt or done in brass in ormoulu.

The plain parts may be executed in woods of various kinds/ It may be remarked that the designs, though competently executed, have no colour merits to commend them. Gilt-work is invariably indicated by gamboge, and what might have been very beautiful original drawings have suffered from the want of truth in colour.