The Middle English Renaissance took place between the years of 1660-1750. After the Great Fire of 1666, Sir Christopher Wren set new standards of design considered to be Baroque urban design. Wren was one of the most celebrated English architects of all time. These standards were influenced from the French Baroque design period. Wren specified the standards for housing such as wall thickness, floor heights, and materials. One of his greatest designs was St. Paul's Cathedral.
Another influential couple of the English period was Mary and William III. Like Sir Christopher Wren, they also set new standards, but for furniture. Comfort was an important factor for these new standards and upholstery showed up for the first time.
Some features that were altered or changed
during this Age of Walnut were:
- Straight turned leg or cup turned legs
- Low, horizontal X-stretcher was common
- Curved cross
- Ball feet/ Claw feet
- Veneers Perfected
- Marquetry
- Oriental influence
- English Oak replaced with Walnut
William Kent and Queen Anne were two other people who made an impact on the interior design community of this time. Kent was a painter, architect and designer who was the first English architect to design furniture for specific interiors. He focused on up scale classical decoration while Queen Anne used Chinese furniture. Mahogany became an easier wood to work with than walnut creating the Age of Mahogany in the middle years of the 18th century. Lastly, there were four furniture designers that revolutionized the furniture industry; Thomas Chippendale, Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.
 
The William Kent Room at The Ritz Queen Anne Chair (Cabriole Leg)
Here is a short video describing Queen Anne's furniture styling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Hmlwlx9rM
English Style Interiors Today:
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