Tag: mill house gardens

Did You Know?

Did you know that these dressers are often referred to as bachelor chests?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

millhouseantiquesbachelorschest

Did you know that small chests of drawers are often called bachelor chests? In the 18th century, single men did not possess much and what they did possess did not require much storage space—thus, the advent of the bachelor chest.  However, these chests offered more than just storage for trousers, pants, shirts and collars.  In fact, they served a multitude of purposes for the man about town.

With early versions, bachelors could fold over the top and rest it on lopers — the slides that pulled out from the chest. Et voilà, the bachelor had a writing surface.  Over time, these chests incorporated a brush slide upon which a young, fashionable gent could tend to his clothes as well as conduct correspondence.

This fine example of a bachelor chest sports such a slide. Well proportioned and immaculately appointed with string inlay, the bachelor who owned this chest wanted only the finest. And so should you. Find this bachelor chest as well as other fine examples only at Mill House Antiques. More than an ordinary experience.

 

Did You Know?

Do you know the difference?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Do you know the difference between a tea table and a game table?

Quite simply, the tea table has a polished surface on the interior and a game table has a baize surface.   With the fashion of taking tea and other refreshments, the folding side table became quite common in 18th century homes.  While the tables with baize interiors were used for the most part as game tables, tea tables with their polished interiors were certainly more functional.

Take these simple, yet elegant tables.  Which do you think is a game table and which is a tea table?

Not sure, discover the answer for yourself at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

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Did You Know?

Did you know there is more than meets the eye at Mill House?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

While our 17 showrooms are complete with the finest European antiques assembled in one place, it is also our workshop that has helped establish Mill House as destination for over 50 years and differentiates us.

We don’t just remove a piece from a container and put it on the floor.  Au contraire, every antique is thoroughly examined by our own craftsmen, who employ the same fine techniques pioneered centuries ago to conserve and restore each piece.  And when an antique is sold, it goes back through the workshop for the same thorough inspection.  Not one antique leaves Mill House unless it meets our high standards as we believe an antique should not only decorate a home but be used.

So when you purchase an antique from Mill House, you can be confident that it will endure for another lifetime or two.

Did You Know?

Did you know that a spill vase was used to hold rolled paper or sticks and not flowers?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Mill House Antiques Spill Vase

Prior to the advent of matches, spill vases were placed on mantels from which a stick or rolled paper would be lit from the fireplace and used to light candles, lamps or even pipes. Spill is derived from the Middle English word spille or small piece of wood. The earliest example of a spill vase goes back to the 1500s and they were commonly found in English homes in the 18th and 19th centuries.

While utilitarian in nature, spill vases were often highly decorative and made in various materials, including, brass, porcelain and pottery. Take this wonderful Staffordshire spill vase with its quaint country theme. The wonderful metaphorical composition of the cow and the calf next to the dead tree, which serves as the vase, is an excellent example of Victorian ornamental design. This and other fine spill vases can be found only at Mill House Antiques.

More than an ordinary experience.

Did You Know?

Did you know that a housekeeper’s cupboard was more than a place to store linens?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Did you know that a housekeeper’s cupboard was more than a place to store linens?  These large and imposing pieces of furniture with drawers below and cabinets on top also stored the best china and glass, and occasionally, the more valuable staples, such as tea and coffee. Generally under lock and key, it was the head housekeeper, much like Mrs. Hughes in Downton Abbey, who oversaw the contents.

While most of these cupboards were utilitarian in their appearance, some were crafted to reflect the status of the household.  Take this superb housekeeper’s cupboard with such fine details as mahogany crown moulding and banding, as well as a fusee clock.  It must have come from a rather well-to-do manor house, but can only be found now at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

Mill House Antiques Cupboard

 

Did You Know?

Did you know? Austro-Hungarian cabinet makers were considered some of the finest

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Did you know that 19th century Austro-Hungarian cabinet makers were considered some of the finest across the continent?  Rightly so, as they took great pride in their work and went the extra mile by hand carving a moulded edge along the inner edges of drawers — something rather unique for cabinet makers of that period.

Take this fine example of a chest of drawers from Budapest that incorporates a drop down secrétaire.  With its handsome walnut root veneer and wonderful brass, the quality of its construction is readily apparent on the outside, but one look inside shows the careful attention to detail rarely seen in chests and found only at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.  #millhouseantiques #antiques

 

Mill House Antiques

 

Mill House Events

Vintage Garden Wedding at Mill House Antiques

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

From “Style me Pretty”…After months of planning, The Mill House Of Woodbury, CT was the perfect location for this inspiration shoot, with cascading gardens and a plethora of antique furniture and tableware to compliment the vintage aesthetic.  View the magnificent photos.

Only at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

 

Mill House Events

Maestro Leif Bjaland with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra this evening at Mill House Antiques

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

We are looking forward to hosting the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra annual benefit this evening at Mill House Antiques. The event will take place in the gardens from 5:30 to 8:30pm.  Join us for wine and music.

 

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Only at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

Mill House Events

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Wine Tasting Event at Mill House postponed

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Wine Tasting Event scheduled to take place in the beautiful gardens of Mill House has been postponed to June 8th due to weather.  This event which will feature wine and music from different regions is completely sold out.  Please visit the WSO website for more information.Image