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We recently played 'furniture detective' after finding this stunning reading table. It is of exceptional quality. We date it to around 1830 in the William IV period. The ornate detail on the upright and mahogany are typical of this period. The brass castors are stamped Copes patent which are found on high quality pieces from this period. We love the table, but what intrigued us was the inscription on the inside. It appears to say ... of Ingwell, Whitehaven, Cumberland. It also has wax stamps but the initials are not clear. We hoped that some research in to Ingwell would give a clue to the owner of the wax seals. The Ingwell estate was first owned by Joseph Gunson. Gunson was a company commander in the British Army Medical Department at the time of the Napoleonic wars. The Mansion House at Ingwell was commissioned by Gunson and was completed around 1826 which fits with our dating of the table. The last letter on the wax stamp could be a G, but the other initials do not match Joseph Gunson. Some research in to the Gunson family revealed that both Joseph's wife and one of his daughters was called Anne Francis. The initials are clearly AFG, but do they belong to the mother or daughter? It is our belief that the table was used by the daughter, Anne Francis. Anne Francis was the youngest of three daughters and an invalid. So the table could have served as a reading aid over a bed or a table. The adjustable height makes these tables perfect for this purpose. Sadly, the table would only have been used by Anne Francis for a short time. She was to die in 1837 aged only 15. A stone monument to Anne Francis can be found in a wood at Dovenby Hall called Lake Walk, beside Bride’s Beck. Although the story behind this monument is not clear, it is believed that Anne Francis, spent a great deal of time in the woods and the site where the monument was later erected had become her favourite place in the woods. We do love finding pieces and researching its history. We are mere custodians of these pieces and it is wonderful to give them a new life in their next chapter. Our blog and research ends with the inscription on Anne Francis' monument: By all who love piety, meekness and gentleness. Let this stone be ever held sacred and preserved, in remembrance of Anne Frances Gunson she was recalled by him who gave her at the early age of fifteen. Her short life was adorned by innocence and every virtue, and her death was deeply mourned. For she was in truth a pious Christian daughter. Born August 29th 1822 died July 24th 183 inter’d July 29th at St John’s Chapel Edinburgh.

Nearly forgotten today, wall charts were a very common teaching aid used in classes from primary school to the university level. They came into common use in the mid1800's with the development of colouror lithography allowing relatively inexpensive color printing. The majority of the background in this blog is from "Protozoa in the remarkable wall charts of Leuckart and Nitsche’s Zoologische Wandtaflen" by John Richard Dolan. When we discovered a set of nine of these, this article was the most informative that we found on their history. The instigator, and main editor of the series, Rudolph Leuckart (1822-1898), was a major figure of zoology in his time. Ernst Mayer identified him as "Germany' s most prominent zoologist between Johannes Müller and Ernst Haeckel". The first set published, whose reception was likely judged to be of some importance, consisted of three charts: one on Rhizopods, one on Octocorals, and one on Anthrostracean Crustaceans. The charts were described as "masterpieces of accuracy and scientific detail and supply inexhaustible material for laboratory study" Eventually, there would be two series of charts. The first and extensive 'Series One' of 103 charts concerned almost exclusively invertebrates and was published from 1877 to 1901. All of these photographs are from the example swe have in stock. The 'Series Two' of 13 charts concerned largely vertebrate taxa and were published from 1892 to 1900. Over the years, there were three editors. The first series began in 1877 as edited by Rudolph Leuckart, then a renown Professor of Zoology in Leipzig, and Hinrich Nitsche, Professor of Zoology in Tharandt, and former student of Leuckart. From 1887 with Chart 51, the charts were labeled as edited by Leuckart alone. The last two charts of Series One were published in 1901, three years after Leuckart's death in 1898 as edited by Carl Chun, another former student of Leuckart, and his hand-picked successor in Leipzig. The authorship of each chart was to be indicated with initials in the bottom right corner of the chart. The 'HN' in the lower right corner indicated that the artwork was by was Hinrich Nitsche. OB is for Otto Bütschli was a zoologist who was responsible for most of the protozoa charts. We acquired a set of 9 of these charts. We were drawn to them for their wonderful colours and interesting subjects. They would look fantastic in a home interior or a bar or restaurant. As we researched, we realised the importance of these as scientific research and education tools. Please check out our collection as part of our vintage posters and prints.

'Genration Rent' is a term used to describe those young adults aged between 18 and 40, who have been priced out of the housing market. Renting for long periods is quite normal. According to Experian 36% of 21-35 year olds live in rented accommodation. This makes a big impact on choice of decor and interior. Which has been a catalyst for interiors to be more mobile and adaptable way of living. Renting does not need to be dull and we all need to own our own space, right? We believe investing in some key pieces for your home can make all the difference. Painting walls and ripping out the kitchen may be off the cards (although many landords are happy with changing wall colours , just ask!). As spaces have become smaller, choosing pieces with simple clean lines help to make areas feel more open and functional. We believe our hand picked collection of antique posters are the perfect solution. They are easy to hang with either a small pin or 3M adhesive hooks. They cover large area of wall and look fabulous hung behind a sofa or bed, or on a stairwell. Whether you love dragonflies, jellyfish or even worms, we may have the poster for you. Dating from the 1880s, each has a wonderful timeworm patina and have been used in an an education setting. Renters who can optimise space, to support their social life, and professional success will create an enviorment of well being and happiness. We have sourced a collection of nine different wall hangings. Take a look at our category 'Posters & Prints' for more details.

We often source and sell antique cabinets to be used in "unfitted" kitchens. Installing a new fitted kitchen is a big investment. What happens if you decide to move in five years time? Estate agents will tell you that kitchens are meant to add value, but most buyers will rip out a replace a kitchen. The unfitted kitchen is an attractive choice. The Victorians were ahead of the game and were keen to have free standing housekeeping and pantry cupboards. Hand made by master craftsmen in REAL wood, many dressers, glazed cabinets and large banks of drawers can be incorporated into a modern kitchen. We love sourcing old shop display cabinets which can be wall mounted or freestanding. Often made from English oak or maghogany, they are a wise storage option. Kitchen Islands can be antique or vintage too . We have supplied plan chests and work benches to be used in the centre of a kitchen. Sustainable options to help zone a space. We found this fabulous kitchen island in a restaurant. We think it would suit an open plan space. It is bespoke and has the most wonderful carved panels, marble top and under mounted belfast sink. Adding just one piece to a kitchen refresh is easy and needs less trades to implement. They can really change the dynamics of a space. There are no rules! Pieces can mixed and matched as your tastes evolve. Warm woods mixed with painted distressed pieces all work together. We have an ever changing collection of wall and free standing cabinets to use in a sustainable home. Take a look at our latest collection below.

We are kicking off our 2024 collection with a spotlight on bathroom design and storage. We love using old shop and quirky cabinets in a bathroom setting. Often modern bathrooms are white, bright and a bit clinical. Hand made antique cabinets soften this look and add character. They are so useful too! Adding much needed storage to busy spaces. We have been busy sourcing, cleaning and waxing some absoulute gems. Thinking outside of the box and using old pieces help to elevate an interior. Adding persoality and soul as well as being useful is a win win. Creating a sustainable and happy home too!. This fabulous old Army and Navy tool box makes a wonderful wall cabinet and useful space inside the door. Adding a unique piece with lots of history makes a space individual. Small shop cabinets are perfect as storage cabinets in bathrooms. This original humidor is made from cedar wood and has many original labels for Cuban cigars dating from the 1850's This cabinet has has an ivorine label on the reverse for the Imperial Tobacco Company Fancy Good Department. Dating from the first part of the Century and is table topped. It has later interior glass shelves and original velvet internal back adverstising a brand of pipe. A unique piece, perfect to make a statement. Take a look at our hand picked collection here https://www.retrovation.co.uk/uniqueinteriors/antiquedisplaycabinet Each is a one off and many can be wall hung. Get in touch if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you.

We were delighted to welcome Philip Serrell and the production team from Antiques Road Trip to the Retrobarn in April of this year. It finally aired on Thursday 14th December on BBC1. You can catch up on iplayer, Series 27, episode 24. It was wondeful for Philip to rekindle his love affair with horses. You may not realise that the Retrobarn is based on a working farm. We are open by appontment as we are often busy sourcing and delivering to customers. Philip has a keen eye and a wealth of knowledge as he's been an established auctioneer since 1995. A deal was done on an antique leather horsehoe shaped chair, a Victorian cast iron balance and a set of four leather Omersa style horses. Three very different items, which appeal to different buyers. Do tune in and watch the episode and find out how he did at auction. Was it all horseplay or was it serious business?

For Dawn's fourth challenge she is set againast JB, from James Broad Interiors. Pub landlord Matthew has run some of the country’s most prestigious eateries and 20 years ago decided to slow things down and run a traditional country pub. Matthew is very keen to keep as much history in the building as possible. Every nook and cranny is transformed into an Aladdin’s cave of curios from a particular time in British History; whether it be Gothic Revival, Renaissance, Georgian or Edwardian. Keeping the history is one thing, adding something to the heritage of the pub is another. Matthew wanted an interesting talking point item for a space in one of the bar areas. This brief was a great fit to Dawn and what she loves about antiques. The history, and stories pieces tell, is so important. They are windows into the past. Her research first started by looking at the space online and the photos supplied of the Royal Standard Pub, in Beaconsfield. Here's Dawn's moodboard. Her first thoughts was the sheer age and history of the building. The first official mention of the pub appears in 1213! Research about the history of the building found that during the 17th century, the pub became a popular meeting place for various groups of Royalists. One story claims that Charles II granted the pub permission to change its name from The Ship to the far grander Royal Standard of England in thanks for the venue allowing his father, Charles I to hide from danger in its roof space. After meeting Matthew on the programme, Dawn quickly realised that he really loves mechanical things and to tinker and fix things. The bar has a limited space and he wanted to create some 'theatre' within the bar area as a talking point. Having sourced many items for pubs and restaurants, creating an unusual interior leads to a destination. The unique pieces Dawn sources are always a one off. Pulling on her network of antique dealers, and putting the feelers out is vital. Searching for an antique mechanical piece that works is very difficult. These pieces are normally work horses and used on a daily basis. Dawn was over the moon to find a working Time Recorder. Clocking and out machines were used extensivley in factories across England as a result of the Industrial Revolution. To have the original card racks was incredible too. There really is something lovely about hearing the 'ding' of the bell as you clock in and out. What did you think? We would love to hear your thoughts.

It was fabulous to welcome the singer and actress Brenda Edwards earlier this year. Brenda filmed 'Celebrity Antiques Road Trip' together with expert Serhat Ahmet. Serht's area of specialism is European ceramics. Both Brenda and Dawn have roots in Luton. Being born, and having family based there today. Her love of music and singing was first seen as part of the choir at the Pentecostal Church in the town. She burst onto our screens as part of The X Factor. We have all got to know her more as part of the Loose Women family. A daily lunchtime TV show. Her Christian background shines through as part of her hosting of TV programme 'Songs of Praise'. Brenda was bowled over with the amount of pieces in the Retrobarn. Spoilt for choice and on a tight budget, it was all to play for. Serhat and Brenda after a good hunt, found a rather special writing and stationery box. Brenda shared with us how her aunt was a prolific writer. It was a piece that resonated with her. The travelling case they chose has fine embossed leather to the outside and beautiful mahogany on the inside. It is of super quality brass work throughout including a lock stamped Bramah London. With a heavy brass handle to the top with owners initials. Dating, we believe from the end of the 19th Century. The brass catch at the top allows the top section to move forward. The writing section hinges forward to reveal further storage areas all with leather detail and mahogany lining. It was a shame the writing slope didn't make a profit but it was wonderful to welcome Brenda and Serhat to the Retrobarn. It was so much fun and we had some singing as she left! We do hope you enjoyed the show. The Retrobarn is open by appointment as the majority of our pieces are online. Do get in touch if you wish to visit.

The Great Antiques Challenge featured Dawn's third challenge where She went head to head with Jon from Kestrel Antiques @kestrel_antiques to find a unique piece for Charlene to hang on her lounge wall. Aydon House is a stunning four-storey Victorian house in Warwick, dating back to 1845. Charlene and her husband have restored many of the original features of the house, since moving in several years ago. The beautifully high ceilings, large windows and original fireplaces enhance the authentic beauty of the house. Charlene works full-time as a independent travel agent, but in her spare time, loves interiors and adding unique items to her family home. Charlene was looking for a statment piece to sit above her sofa. The wall size was 3 m high and 2 m wide, so restrictive. Dawn's new instantly that the piece needed to be mounted landscape. Charlene period home is of generous classic proportions. The piece Dawn wanted to find would encapsulate the current original features. Her moodboard is below: Charlene had a healthy budget and Dawn was determined to find her a statement antique. Her interior eye is classic, elegant and timeless. The wall faces a large window, which can be seen from the road. A collection of art was a consideration but often Dawn finds art is very personal and subjective to the individual and difficult to source after just one meeting. Dawn was drawned to a Regency period mirror to reflect the age of Charlene's house and current classic elegant decor. These mirrors are made from Gesso, a white plaster then painted in gilt. The gilt is always muted with a green base and never bright and blingy. The example Dawn found had its original mercury glass and is bevelled. These mirrors were produced in small panels due to the glass tax which was first introduced in 1746. Dawn felt that the mirror wasn't enough and decided to buy a pair of Corinthian collum table lamps with a stunning classic egg and dart style. She was able to do a deal with Karl from Skyes Place @skysplace who had a stall at the Decorative Home and Salvage Show held at Ripley Castle (www.asfairs.com). Dawn was absoulty thrilled to win the challenge and for Charlene to agree to buy the Regency gilt mirror. A wonderful period piece, perfect for Charlene's modern home to cherish and enjoy. We have an ever changing collection of period mirrors for sale at Retrovation. Take a look at our 'Mirrors and Frames' category for our latest pieces.

Dawn's second challenge as part of the 'The Great Antiques Challenge' sees her going head to head with Jon @kestrel_antiques to find a unique pieces for a vintage bridal and clothes shop. Caroline and her sister Kathy own a vintage bridal shop which was situated in Dublin but have recently moved it to a blank canvas space in Monaghan. Caroline takes alot of pride in making passers-by stop in their tracks with her window displays, often re-doing the window once a week to keep it fresh. Caroline’s shop is a modern vintage haven full of interesting shabby chic furniture and objects. She was looking for an interesting curio or a piece of furniture to act as a building block in the window. Something unusual and spectacular for her to build her window displays around. Dawn's initial thoughts were to find something tall and flexible. A piece with age, to mirror the ethos of the shop and flexible, so could be used with changing seasons and themes. The window is restricted by height. Dawn's initial mood board is below: After meeting the fabulous Caroline, the feminine vibe really came through strongly. She has created a retail destination for women to find stunning outfits for special occasions, including proms. The ability to use this piece as a 'backbone' throughout the year is vital as there is very little storage space . Dawn was delighted to find the Victorian folding screen in an antiques emporium. The gilt carved wooden frame gave the piece the feminine and elegant feel Dawn was looking for. These pieces were used by Victorian ladies to change and dress behind. The glass has bubbles and therefore original. Useful for not making the interior of the shop dark. The fabric to the base is a later addition and originally would have been silk or tapestry. This means Caroline did not have to be precious with the fabric and could change it with the different seasons and celebrations throughout the year. It was Jon's vintage Chinoiserie style cabinet which won the challenge The pop of red is fantastic and it is a flexible piece. In hindsight Dawn had overlooked that Caroline has a vibrant and fun personality and she was really looking for a piece to showcase this. The screen was quickly snapped up on the website so it already has a lovely new owner. We love seeing Jon's cabinet in many of Caroline's window displays which she posts on her Instagram page, @dirtyfabulousvintage.

The brief for Dawn's first challenge was for Rory: "Rory is a first-time buyer of a mid-terrace house in Manchester. Built in 1890, he is completely renovating the building to restore it to its former glory. He is going for a minimalist design to then fill each room with statement, antique pieces to enhance the history of the house. Keeping the original features, he has uncovered a fireplace in every room of the house, including the loft, and a huge one in the living room! Something for his living room that has a nod to Victorian Manchester, such as a side board or a coffee table, but he was very open!". As a specialist in English Antiques, Dawn has sourced many antique pieces made in the Manchester area. It was a huge manufacturing hub in the Victorian period. Finnigans luggage was a world leading producer established in Manchester, they are a favourite maker she looks out for when sourcing. Simpoles of Manchester were a renowned furniture maker. They made quality pieces including stacking barrister bookcases which Dawn has stocked before. Dawn's first thoughts were to find somthing antique made by one of these established makers. Something unique which he would have a connection to and cherish. After researching the history of Victorian Manchester she found that during this period Manchester was known as 'Cottonopolis'. It was the centre of the cotton industry. Early cotton mills sprung up in the middle part of the 18th century and by the 1870s were producing 32% of the global production of cotton! With over 100 mills in the region, iron foundries were established to supply the demand for machinery. Dawn's first mood board before meeting Rory was: After meeting Rory on the show, she realised that as this is his first home, he really wanted a statement piece to make the space his own. The budget was £200 - £500, but buying at the lower end as his finances were stretched due to the renovation. He was paricularly drawn to metal pieces, with texture and patina to mount above his fireplace. The challege was on! After contacting her network of antique and salvage dealers, she found two unusual Iron foundry moulds. These sand casts had the patina and texture she was looking for. Buying the pair from Angela at Sunshine Antiques @sunshine.antiques meant she negoiated a good deal. They would have been used to cast the tops of railings. The kind of iron railings used in Royal parks and churches around the Manchester area. Dawn was absolutely delighted that Rory chose her pieces. These simple statement pieces of art, will look stunning mounted in Roy's newly renovated home. We do source decorative salvaged pieces to add as unique statements to home and gardens. Take a look at our latest collection at the link below.

We are delighted to share with you the journey of Dawn as one of the dealers in the television programme; 'The Great Antiques Challenge'. The whole series was filmed over six weeks in September and October of 2022. Starting on 7th Feburary at 10 pm on the Quest channel (freeview channel 12). The series lasts for 8 weeks and is aired every Wednesday. Each episode, two dealers go head to head to source a unique item to a specific brief. Dawn was given five briefs and four days were set aside with the camera team to hunt for all the pieces. All of the dealer spent their own money which added a compelling competiton element that comes with genuine jeopardy. Dawn drew on her antique, salvage and vintage network of dealers that she has built up over the last 10 years while running Retrovation. She visited emporiums, independent shops and on the ground fairs to tap into the many dealers who exhibit there. Always shopping and sourcing from independents! It was hard work but she enjoyed every miniute. Sourcing is something she does on a daily basis, whether for a client or for pieces she loves to photograph for the Retrovation online shop. Dawn has written a blog about each brief and how she found each piece. Take a look at the blog section on the website to find out more at the link below. Thank you for your love and support, and hope you enjoy watching the show! Love Dawn & Steve x