Angie Bonk: Middle English Renaissance

The middle renaissance was from 1600-1750. During this time there was restoration of the Stuart Period that involved Charles II and James II. During this period William and Mary had a huge impact on design. They created the age of walnut that was widely used for furniture. Also during this period Queen Anne influenced a lot of design choices. After the great fire of 1666 that burned a large section of London, Sir Christopher Wren set new design standards of design that was called the Baroque urban design. This design was greatly influenced by the French. Wren established wall thickness, floor heights, ans materials, which were bricks. Because of him, there started to be zoning and construction regulations. He was the most renowned English architect of all time. One of his masterpieces is the St. Paul's Cathedral. He designed a total of 52 churches that have influenced other church designs. During this time the new standards for furniture were focused on comfort. This period is when upholstery appears for the first time. Once Mary Stuart married William II, furniture shifted from walnut to oak wood. William and Mary had an oriental influence when it came to fabrics. They used velvet, brocade, Chintz, leather and needlepoint. Queen Anne was the one who created developments in social living. She created spaces for tea and coffee drinking and Parlor games of chance. She also influenced English trade with China. Queen Anne was also known for the Cabriole leg on her furniture. The foot of her furniture was most popular for its dragon's paw holding a pearl. Some of her famous furniture was the card table and the wing chair. Another type of chair that was designed during this time was Chippendale chairs.

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