Julie Dorn

As the parlour was the room in which the larger world encountered the private sphere of middle class life the family's face to the world it was invariably the best room in the home. The parlour frequently displayed a family's best furnishings, works of art and other status symbols.The parlour was used for receptions around formal family occasions such as weddings, births and funerals. Some tradespeople used the parlour of their houses in the service of their businesses