Town guide / South Manchester and Stockport
Georgian furniture in a modern Handforth home
Handforth has a sixteenth-century timber-framed hall near its old centre, but most homes here are post-war and later, from family semis to newer estates. Georgian furniture can sit surprisingly well in them.
i.
The houses
Modern houses usually combine lower ceilings, sealed double glazing and efficient central heating, so the air indoors is warmer and drier than in the houses Georgian furniture was made for. Rooms are often open-plan, which means a piece may be seen from several sides. On the plus side, newer floors are generally flat and solid, which suits a chest of drawers or a bureau that needs to stand level.
ii.
Georgian furniture in that setting
Georgian furniture, made under the four King Georges, includes plain oak country pieces as well as mahogany and veneered town furniture, and its proportions are often modest enough for lower rooms. The risks are dry air and strong sun: check veneers, inlay and crossbanding for lifting, and look at drawer bottoms for shrinkage splits. Ask Sara whether the handles are original and what the timber is.
iii.
Buying from Caernarfon
Life: Full Colour has no branch near Handforth. It is based in Caernarfon, reached by the M56 and then the A55 along the North Wales coast.
Buying works the same way from anywhere: find a piece, ask Sara about it by the enquiry form or on 01286 400155, and buy through Creative Caernarfon.
Visiting and delivery
Life: Full Colour is based at 9 Segontium Terrace, Caernarfon LL55 2PN. Ask Sara whether delivery or viewing is possible for a particular piece.
Georgian furniture listed on Creative Caernarfon
- Period 18th Century Welsh Oak Dresser, Caernarfonshire (opens in a new tab)
- 18th Century Oak Gateleg Dining Table (opens in a new tab)
One-off pieces: ask Sara whether a listing is still available.
iv.
Questions for a Handforth buyer
Often very well. Georgian pieces tend to have restrained lines and modest proportions that sit comfortably under lower ceilings, and a single good chest or bureau can give a modern room real character. Measure the wall and ceiling, and ask Sara for full dimensions including any raised back or gallery.
Keep the piece away from radiators, underfloor heating and strong sunlight, and avoid sharp swings in temperature. A humidifier can help in very dry rooms during winter. Ask Sara for close photographs of veneered edges and corners so you know their condition before you buy.
Walnut and then mahogany were fashionable for town furniture during the eighteenth century, while country makers went on using oak, elm, fruitwoods and pine. Pine was also common for carcasses and painted pieces. Ask Sara what a particular piece is made from, as stain and polish can make timbers hard to judge in photographs.
Measure height, width and depth, and think about the back too, because open-plan rooms often show a piece from several sides. Check the doorway width on the way in and any skirting board where it will stand. A tidy back and sides matter more when everyone can see them.
A thin coat of good paste wax, applied sparingly with a soft cloth, is usually the gentlest choice. Avoid spray polishes containing silicone, which leave a film that is hard to remove, and avoid wet cloths on veneer. Test any product on a hidden spot first.
Many Georgian pieces are modest in size, which suits lower rooms, but sizes vary widely, so measure rather than assume. Check height, width and depth, and note whether the piece separates. Ask Sara for the dimensions of any piece that interests you.
Ask whether the drawers are original to the chest, whether they run smoothly and whether the runners show wear. Look at the drawer bottoms for splits and the corner joints for gaps. These questions help you separate normal age from real problems.
Take the drawers out first, lift rather than drag, and use two people. Hold the carcase, never the top overhang or the handles, and pad the corners with blankets. Set the chest down on a flat surface, taking particular care with veneered edges.
Yes, with protection. Use a mat or tray under lamps and plant pots, as moisture and heat harm old finishes and veneer. Keep heavy items away from the edges, and lift objects rather than sliding them, which scratches the surface.
Stand it out of direct sun if you can, or use curtains or blinds at the brightest hours. Move objects on the top now and then so the surface fades evenly. Sunlight can lighten veneer and lift polish, and the change is gradual but permanent.