Edwardian period (1901-1910) came after a long Victorian era. The items that usually were spectacularly opulent, became much more elegant and refined. Good design became fashionable and in homewares the focus shifted from decoration to usability. Most Edwardian items have a distinctive refined look.

Facts of Lavish Cool history — tax on tea was so high in the 18th century Britain, that smuggling was a common practice. By 1780 most of the tea consumed was illegally imported.