Ethan Allen Round Dining Table Used

Although named for the last Stuart monarch of England, antique Queen Anne furniture, with its curvy cabriole legs and pad feet, has its origins in the earlier reign of King William III, which began in 1689 and ended with his death in 1702. Later evolving during Anne’s rule from 1702–14, the style would continue to influence design in the decades after her death.

Sometimes called late Baroque or early Georgian, Queen Anne chairs, bedroom furniture and tables are subdued yet ornate and characterized by a graceful blend of influences ranging from Asian design to classical motifs. Furnishings of this era — with their curvilinear supports and novel emphasis on comfort and versatility — are marked by a shift away from the more opulent and angular William and Mary style.

Chairs designed in the Queen Anne style are more functional and lightweight than their predecessors. They often feature a vase or fiddle-shaped splat, which refers to the central vertical back element, in order to support the spine and plush cushions. Craftsmen of the era predominantly worked in walnut, maple and pine. Any embellishments they introduced in their furnishings were frequently minimal and refined and expressed by way of modest flourishes such as shells or scrolls. Some pieces were more lavish with “japanned” finishes, or varnished interpretations of East Asian lacquer art. Almost every piece of furniture, whether a tea table or desk, included S-shaped, animalistic cabriole legs that end in a paw or claw-and-ball form.

These qualities made Queen Anne furniture popular throughout Europe and North America. Boston and Philadelphia became hubs for the production of this style of furniture, spurred by the arrival of British artisans who fostered a market for well-heeled colonists. While the showier Chippendale style later surpassed it in popularity, Queen Anne’s simple elegance still draws an enduring appreciation.

Find a collection of antique Queen Anne dining tables, seating, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.

Whether burnished or lacquered, antique, new and vintage brass furniture can elevate a room.

From traditional spaces that use brass as an accent — by way of brass dining chairs or brass pendant lights — to contemporary rooms that embrace bold brass decor, there are many ways to incorporate the golden-hued metal.

“I find mixed metals to be a very updated approach, as opposed to the old days, when it was all shiny brass of dulled-out silver tones,” says interior designer Drew McGukin. “I especially love working with brass and blackened steel for added warmth and tonality. To me, aged brass is complementary across many design styles and can trend contemporary or traditional when pushed either way.”

He proves his point in a San Francisco entryway, where a Lindsey Adelman light fixture hangs above a limited-edition table and stools by Kelly Wearstler — also an enthusiast of juxtapositions — all providing bronze accents. The walls were hand-painted by artist Caroline Lizarraga and the ombré stair runner is by DMc.

West Coast designer Catherine Kwong chose a sleek brass and lacquered-parchment credenza by Scala Luxury to fit this San Francisco apartment. “The design of this sideboard is reminiscent of work by French modernist Jean Prouvé. The brass font imbues the space with warmth and the round ‘portholes’ provide an arresting geometric element.”

Find antique, new and vintage brass tables, case pieces and other furnishings now on 1stDibs.

In preparing for your next holiday party or dinner party, an antique or vintage dessert table might just be the perfect finishing touch.

Dessert tables are elegant pieces essential for hosting both formal and casual gatherings. Also known as tilt-top tables or loo tables (named for the card game), these eye-catching furnishings make it easy to host large parties so that guests are not confined to a single space for the night. The top of a tilt-top table is typically hinged to a pedestal in the structure’s center so that its surface can be turned from a horizontal to a vertical position and parked in the corner of a living room or dining room. This gives it an advantage over a traditional side table and allows it to take up less space when it’s not in use.

Dessert tables are deliberately built small or narrow so that they are easy to maneuver. These compact tables were especially prominent in the 18th century in the United States and England where they regularly accompanied social interactions like tea drinking. During the early 1920s, the sterling-silver full tea service and tray designed by Tiffany & Co. set atop your dessert table might include a hot-water kettle on a stand, a coffeepot, a teapot, a creamer with a small lip spout, a waste bowl and a bowl for sugar, which the British were stirring into tea by the 1720s and ’30s.

Older dessert tables often feature intricate carvings and motifs, making them enduringly popular through the decades. Many tilt-top tables likewise have elaborate veneers for a decoration that can be viewed when they are tilted down and stored against a wall.

Find antique and vintage tilt-top tables and dessert tables in various styles and finishes on 1stDibs.