Publications
How-To Tips - Antiques

What is a Victorian dresser?
dresser |ˈdrɛsə| noun a sideboard with shelves above for storing and displaying plates and kitchen utensils. • N. Amer.a chest of drawers. ORIGIN late Middle English (denoting a kitchen sideboard or table on which food was prepared): from Old French…
What is a Victorian dresser?
dresser |ˈdrɛsə| noun a sideboard with shelves above for storing and displaying plates and kitchen utensils. • N. Amer.a chest of drawers. ORIGIN late Middle English (denoting a kitchen sideboard or table on which food was prepared): from Old French dresseur, from dresser ‘prepare’ (see dress) What is the meaning of the word Dresser? Firstly a point of clarification; a dresser means two different things depending on whether you…

How to reupholster a chair
The techniques of traditional upholstery are centuries old. To reupholster a chair, means to take the chair back to its frame and build the shape back up with springs, fibre, animal hair and hand stitching.
How to reupholster a chair
The techniques of traditional upholstery are centuries old. To reupholster a chair, means to take the chair back to its frame and build the shape back up with springs, fibre, animal hair and hand stitching. Using one of my chairs as an example, I will show the process without going into too much detail. What's the first step to reupholstering a chair? It’s always a good idea to see what has been done before. The chair’s seat was a…

How to identify Victorian furniture
Design of anything in a particular period will depend on the social and creative background to the period and in Victorian Britain there was a massive diversity in styles and a high output of furniture. The Victorians loved to show off their wealth and good…
How to Identify Victorian furniture
Background to Victorian decoration and furniture Design of anything in a particular period will depend on the social and creative background to the period and in Victorian Britain there was a massive diversity in styles and a high output of furniture. The Victorians loved to show off their wealth and good taste and this was demonstrated by the interior design and decoration of their homes and the furniture they chose for it. The newly…

How to restore a Chaise Longue
I love restoring antiques, using some of the fantastic modern fabrics now on the market. Mixing old and new. Creating an original, one-off piece of furniture. This article will give you an idea of the process of re-upholstery; it’s not a step-by-step…
How to restore a Chaise Longue
I love restoring antiques, using some of the fantastic modern fabrics now on the market. Mixing old and new. Creating an original, one-off piece of furniture. This article will give you an idea of the process of re-upholstery; it’s not a step-by-step instruction manual. Traditional upholstery is a craft that takes years to master. Originally, it was a 5 year full time apprentiship. Now there are many short and long courses. But it still…

Essential Elements of a Victorian Style Study
Do you have a room in your period property that you need to use for work or household administration purposes? It can be a wonderful space to transform into a Victorian style study. There are a few essential elements to look out for and if you can accommodate…
Essential Elements of a Victorian Style Study
Do you have a room in your period property that you need to use for work or household administration purposes? It can be a wonderful space to transform into a Victorian style study. There are a few essential elements to look out for and if you can accommodate all of these, your room can become a sophisticated and calm place - ideal for working productively. In order to transform your room into a Victorian style study, first of all,…