Tag Archives: Furniture

After Furniture Escaped the Walls

Posted on 19 July 2019 by Kathryn Kane

It was the English who first liberated furniture from the walls of their rooms. However, by the time the Prince of Wales became Regent, most people in other countries, both on the Continent and in America, had done the same. … Continue reading →

Posted in Furnishings | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Of Work or "Pouch" Tables for Ladies

Posted on 5 July 2019 by Kathryn Kane

Women have been doing various kinds of needlework for millenia. Initially, most of that work was utilitarian, primarily making and mending clothing and household textiles. But as the centuries progressed, more and more women, particularly ladies of the upper classes, … Continue reading →

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Morgan and Sanders:   Patent Furniture Manufactory

Posted on 7 June 2019 by Kathryn Kane

Despite the fact that the firm of Morgan and Sanders was considered the leading patent furniture-maker in London during the Regency, neither partner ever actually never filed for a single patent for any of the unique furniture pieces they produced. … Continue reading →

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A Regency Furniture Wood Primer

Posted on 5 April 2019 by Kathryn Kane

Recently, I read a Regency romance which included a scene in what was supposed to be an elegant and luxurious room in a London townhouse. Unfortunately, the entire effect was spoiled for me when the author described the supposedly very … Continue reading →

Posted in Furnishings | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Carlton House:   Never-Ending Renovation

Posted on 29 March 2019 by Kathryn Kane

King George III gave his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, Carlton House as his London residence when the young man attained his majority. From that day, until it was finally and completely demolished, it was an almost constant drain … Continue reading →

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Frogmore:   Royal Spouse House

Posted on 8 March 2019 by Kathryn Kane

Some of you may remember that last spring, the reception for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held at Frogmore House, which is situated within the grounds of the Home Park at Windsor Castle. It is generally … Continue reading →

Posted in Places | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tunbridge Ware Through the Regency

Posted on 1 March 2019 by Kathryn Kane

Though small decorative wooden objects had been made in the Tonbridge area for well over a century before the Regency, the style of that art form was just entering a period of transition during our favorite decade. For that reason, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bibelots | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Disposition of Queen Charlotte’s Property

Posted on 23 November 2018 by Kathryn Kane

Last week, I wrote about the death of Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, as well as the mother of the Prince Regent and his royal siblings. Even before his mother had been laid to rest, the Prince … Continue reading →

Posted in On-Dits | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

After "Cotton" Was Wool

Posted on 9 November 2018 by Kathryn Kane

Though cotton has been woven into textiles in some parts of the world since ancient times, it was just coming into its own in Regency England. By that time, new inventions had made it possible to mechanize many of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Apparel & Grooming, Furnishings | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The Country House Library by Mark Purcell

Posted on 2 November 2018 by Kathryn Kane

This book was a birthday gift from a friend, and I can say without doubt that it was the very best gift I received this year. I love books, I love libraries and I love country houses. How could I … Continue reading →

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Creating Paradise by Richard Wilson and Alan Mackley

Posted on 10 August 2018 by Kathryn Kane

Yet another delightfully serendipitous find at my local library. And yet another reason to be grateful that libraries, with real books on their shelves, still exist in this increasingly digital world. Thought this is not the sort of book I … Continue reading →

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John Crace & Sons

Posted on 13 July 2018 by Kathryn Kane

Though this firm is not widely known today, it was the most important interior decorating firm in England through the nineteenth century. The Crace family was a favorite of the British Royal Family, particularly the Prince of Wales. They were … Continue reading →

Posted in Furnishings, People | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Of Mirrors and Looking Glasses

Posted on 23 March 2018 by Kathryn Kane

Though it may seem incomprehensible to most of us today, until the mid-nineteenth century, only a small percentage of people ever saw the reflection of their entire body in a looking glass. That was due to the fact that looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Furnishings | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Of Inkstands and Standishes

Posted on 16 February 2018 by Kathryn Kane

Even before the Regency, these diminutive and decorative altars to the pursuit of belle lettres could be found on the desks of most educated people. Before the Regency came to a close, they could also be found in the homes … Continue reading →

Posted in Penmanship | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Cheapside Was Not Cheap!

Posted on 2 February 2018 by Kathryn Kane

In fact, quite a lot of money changed hands there every day during the Regency, as it had for many centuries before. It was not the "cheapness" of Cheapside which caused most people in high society to look down their … Continue reading →

Posted in Places | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Ackermann’s Repository:   Patterns of British Manufacture

Posted on 21 July 2017 by Kathryn Kane

One of the most popular publications intended for ladies of the upper classes during the Regency was familiarly known as Ackermann’s Repository. Those who have perused copies of this publication today may have noted that some of the issues include … Continue reading →

Posted in Apparel & Grooming, Furnishings | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Before Silver Paper Was Silver

Posted on 17 March 2017 by Kathryn Kane

      ". . . . . . Harriet unfolded the parcel, . . . Within abundance of silver paper was a pretty little Tunbridge-ware box, which Harriet opened: it was well lined with the softest cotton; but, excepting the cotton, … Continue reading →

Posted in Household Maintenance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments