The reign of the Stuart Dynasty from the Union of the Crowns in 1603 to the death of Queen Anne in 1714 was an era of extraordinary flux which touched every aspect of British society. In just over a century Britain witnessed two revolutions, civil war, plague and the Great Fire of London. The period saw the confirmation of the Protestant Ascendancy which effected every parish and the Great Fire culminated in the destruction of St. Paul's Cathedral.

City living is not an obstacle for the antique furniture lover. Even though there are certainly pieces created for grand historical homes, there is a wealth of others that can be seamlessly integrated in a more modestly sized space. There are a few key elements to take in consideration when buying antiques for a flat or pied-à-terre.  The first one is to find pieces proportional to the space available. There are beautiful pieces that are of nimbler proportions that will fulfill the purpose of bigger ones just as well. For example, this pair of Louis XV design side tables is lower and daintier than some of its counterparts. These would work well as bedside tables for lower set beds or if the distance between the wall and the bed is narrow. Highly ornate styles can also be found in smaller pieces. These mirrors may be small , but the tear shape lengthens them and the ornamentation makes a bold impression.The second one is to look for pieces that have elegant and elongated lines. These characteristics help create a sense of height, lightness and space. This spider table is a good example of this. The dark shade of mahogany and thinness of the legs create a beautiful sense of elongation and space.The third one is to find pieces that are versatile and adaptable. Tables that have flaps allow for the perfect compromise between daily need for space and hosting guests on special occasions. This gorgeous Pembroke table is a great example of this. The center is beautifully decorated with marquetry, which makes it an eye catching piece, whether or not the flaps are deployed.  The fourth one is to look for pieces with a practical shape. Ovals are better suited for wider spaces while rectangles and squares can easily be placed against a wall or in a corner to maximize space. To create even more space than with the above-pictured tripod table, the placement of the legs is also something to look at. Having swept legs or four at each corner will allow sliding a chair underneath. This will help to create more space, but can also create a small office space. For more inspiration, do not hesitate to consult our frequently updated Pinterest board dedicated to the subject or drop by our showroom.

On opening the ATG last week, I saw a double page spread of pictures of pocket watches. Unfortunately these were all photographs of watches that had been stolen from a property in London earlier this year.  This had me thinking: How would one know the difference between a real antique pocket watch, and a very good fake one? Pocket watches aren’t my field so I thought I would write a blog about spotting fakes, copies and reproductions in an area I know about: furniture.

Reindeer Antiques recently acquired a fine selection of French antique furniture in the Louis XV stlye. During the later 17th Century French daily life was dictacted by a strict formality due to the traditions followed by Louis XIV and his court at Versailles. At Versailles, everything from the toilette ceremony in the morning to the coucher ceremony at night was carried out in front of the public eye. Throughout the Régence and the early 1700s the French began to reject this strict way of life and so there was an increasing desire for intimacy, luxury and comfort in the domestic space.

Cosying up with a book is still one of the best ways to relax these days! Storing books however can often be an issue depending on the size of your book collection. Why not consider an antique bookcase which can be very practical and eye-catching- Here at Reindeer Antiques we have a wide range of antique bookcases and cabinets that come in a variety of shapes, styles and woods.

Whether you live in a contemporary townhouse or a house in the countryside antique furniture can really add a homely touch to your kitchen. At Reindeer Antiques we have a large supply of antique furniture which is perfect for decorating any type of kitchen. From chopping vegetables, to cooking and washing up, the kitchen is often the busiest room in the house! Therefore it is important to buy hard-wearing, utilitarian and practical antique furniture for your kitchen.

At Reindeer Antiques we have a wide selection of antique mirrors in various shapes and sizes. An antique mirror would make the perfect addition to any home, whether you are looking for a large overmantle mirror for a hallway or living room, or a small elegant toilet mirror for a bedroom.

Pembroke and sofa tables were highly fashionable pieces of furniture in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In fact in Jane Austen's unfinished 1803-4 novel "The Watson's" a pembroke table is described as functioning as a tea-table: 'peoples arranged with all the honours of visiting round the fire, and Miss Watson seated at the best Pembroke table, with the best tea-things before her'.

An antique oak dresser is one of the most useful and practical pieces of English antique furniture. Oak dressers are perfect in a traditional kitchen displayed with the family china but a dresser is also equally at home in a smart London townhouse with a piece of modern art displayed above it. Oak dressers offer a large amount of storage but will fit into most spaces because they are shallow from front to back.

Originally an antique desk was a box or board with a hinged sloping surface and a bureau was a flat-topped table with drawers underneath; as Adam Bowett has pointed out we have reversed the original meanings of 'desk' and 'bureau' over time.

A game of cards or a boardgame is still the perfect way to spend some quality time with your family- especially on a rainy day! In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, card and games tables were one of the most fashionable pieces of furniture in the home. Often the focus of a social event, they were brought out into the middle of a room and when they were no longer needed could be discreetly placed against the wall as an occasional table. Tables for cards and games such as chess and backgammon grew in popularity from the late sixteenth century.