Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i Homes & Antiques

It’s usually at this time of year that I long to shake things up at home. Something happens when the light starts to pour through our Edwardian windows in springtime that has me craving a lighter touch in every room. The paint charts appear, the wallpaper and fabric swatches arrive, the husband looks nervous… But he needn’t worry too much. I’ve learnt that a small change can be transformative. A wall emblazoned in a beautiful, climbing print can completely refresh how a room feels, while a contemporary colourway can bring new life to everything that sits against it. With this in mind, we bring you our Essential Guide to decorating on p105. Adding a striking antique can create impact and this is a great time to hunt down just the…

SIMON CHORLEY Director of Chorley’s This is an Edwardian pedestal display cabinet with satinwood banding and cabriole legs. Until the late 20th century, decorative items such as cranberry and ‘Mary Gregory’ glass and small pieces of china were widely collected, and so display cabinets were in great demand. Sadly, we are not the nation of collectors we once were and it is rather unfashionable today. Its present auction value is around £80–£120, so £10 seems very little for the pleasure of owning this elegant item. FRANCES ROBINSON Chorley’s Jean Chassaing worked under Cassandre and was later mentored by Paul Colin, founder of the school of graphic arts in Paris. Dying at just 33, only 11 of Chassaing’s designs are recorded, Josephine Baker being the most famous. It was designed in…

If you ever find yourself counting sheep to fall asleep, try conjuring images of the flocks of Suffolks and Wensleydales that roam Harrison Spinks’ 300-acre farm in Yorkshire. It’s here that the company nurtures the high-quality wool used in its luxury mattresses. Harrison Spinks’ story is rooted in the tales of two Yorkshire craftsmen. In 1840, William Rhodes set up the Bedding House of Rhodes, later known as Somnus Bedding. Forty-five years later, Leeds bed-maker Arthur Spink established Spink & Edgar in partnership with salesman John Edgar, building a reputation on quality handmade beds. In 1927 when Arthur Spink retired, his former apprentice Albert Harrison took over. Harrison was joined by Albert Parker, who had trained at The Bedding House of Rhodes. They were followed by Ron Spinks, son-in-law of…

NAILING THE BASICS When you start a project, write down what you need and stick to it. Don’t get distracted by shiny stuff that you don’t need yet. Begin with the basics, such as flooring… FLOORING Have the measurements you need with you in metres – allow 10 per cent extra when you buy. So if you need 40sqm of flooring, buy 44, just in case. You can sell back any unused pieces. Don’t be afraid to mix up widths of flooring – I like wide random boards: 4–15in wide in one floor. DOORS Buy doors that are slightly oversized. Ninety-nine per cent of door casings in old houses aren’t square. A door can be shaved down if it’s too large, but if it’s too small, it’s a pain to…

OLD French hall lantern, c1900, £9,000, Julia Boston Antiques. 020 7610 6783; juliaboston.com NEW ‘Nadia’ pendant light by Lene Bjerre, £152, Houseology. 0141 280 2047; houseology.com NEW ‘Goa’ pendant light, £105.60, Där Lighting. 01295 672200; darlighting.co.uk NEW ‘Lexi’ pendant, £115, House of Fraser. 0345 602 1073; houseoffraser.co.uk NEW ‘Polygon’ squat wire pendant light, £99, The French Bedroom Company. 01444 415430; frenchbedroom company.co.uk OLD 1970s French pendant light, £650, Fears & Kahn. 01949 851736; fearsandkahn.co.uk OLD Industrial pendant light by Wardle, £300, Skinflint Design. 01326 565227; skinflintdesign.co.uk NEW ‘Connie’ pendant light, £120, Pooky. 020 7351 3003; pooky.com OLD Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen ‘PH4’ pendant light, £375, Modern-ID at 1st Dibs. 1stdibs.com OLD Mid-century opaline shade, £95, Layer. 020 3868 6181; layerhome.com NEW ‘Flask Oil’ wide pendant light by Tom Dixon,…

Without a little vintage, sleek modern interiors can seem soulless. And, without a modern context, vintage pieces seem fusty and staid. Yet, when they come together, interiors become completely fresh. The style also feels right for now, tapping into the zeitgeist for reusing, recycling and repurposing. More than ever, we’re conscious that instead of constantly buying new things, we must look after and recycle the old. Besides being kinder to the environment, pieces of yesteryear are made with care and craftsmanship. Rebelling against an age of cheap mass production, we now revere the art of the handmade, the errant line of hand-stitch, the thick daub of paint on a wall mural or the painstaking patience of the embroiderer. Vintage pieces are often also an ode to great quality. Commonly designed…

The French House, Unit 15 Parsons Green Depot, 33–39 Parsons Green Lane, London, SW6 4HH. 020 7371 7573; thefrenchhouse.co.uk The French House (based in London and York) stocks an assortment of French upholstered chairs, lighting and dressers. Lorfords, 9 Langton Street, Chelsea, London, SW10 0JL. 020 3434 3133; lorfordsantiques.com We love the glazed pots and wooden boards in Inge’s kitchen. For 17th-century breadboards and Provençal glazed ceramics, try Lorfords, in London and Tetbury. Swedish Interior Design, 10 Briardale Gardens, London, NW3. 07958 788555; swedishinteriordesign.co.uk If, like Inge, you love the unfussy, colourful look of antique Swedish furniture, keep an eye out for the vibrant folk armoires and painted Mora clocks at Swedish Interior Design, based in London.…

Baileys, Whitecross Farm, Bridstow, Herefordshire, HR9 6JU. 01989 561931; baileyshome.com ‘I love this space for its stripped-back interiors, Scandinavian vibe, use of recycled and vintage-inspired hardwares – it’s an oasis of calm.’ Brownrigg, 33 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8AA. 01666 500850; brownrigg-interiors.co.uk ‘This is my favourite antiques haunt. Jorge, the owner, has an impeccable eye. There is nothing I don’t want.’ Emma Leschallas Antiques, 48 Long Street, Tebury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8AQ. 01666 504242; leschallas-antiques.co.uk ‘Emma is a highly regarded source for her collections of deconstructed chairs and 19th-century upholstery.’ Trainspotters, Unit 3–4 New Mills, Libby’s Drive, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1RN. 01453 756677; trainspotters.co.uk ‘This is a fabulous warehouse of salvaged lighting in all sizes, colours and shapes that I love browsing.’…

Abigail Ahern, 12–14 Essex Road, London, N1 8LN. 020 7354 8181; abigailahern.com ‘Abigail Ahern is a constant source of inspiration, whether I’m browsing at her flagship store or just getting an interiors fix online,’ says Jaime. House of Hackney, 131 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JE. 020 7739 3901; houseofhackney.com ‘Perfect for lush, luxurious fabrics and wallpapers that work with antique furniture, yet still feel fresh and modern.’ Mink Interiors, 15 Nevill Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5RU. 01892 547049; minkinteriors.com ‘This shop is a breath of fresh air – a cool, incisive edit of the best interiors brands and some unusual global finds.’…

DECORATING Ready to freshen up your home for spring? Follow our guide to getting the best out of the latest paint and wallpaper trends PAGE 105 LUCIE RIE As the value of the mid-century studio potter’s work soars, Rosanna Morris discovers the woman behind the wheel PAGE 134 SOFAS From the harems of Arabia to the living rooms of today, the sofa has long taken centre stage for style and comfort PAGE 128 NORTH WILTSHIRE Home to Lacock Abbey and Bowood House, uncover a treasure trove for antiques enthusiasts PAGE 142…

• Albany 01323 430886; wallpaperdirect.com • Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100; andrewmartin.co.uk • Annie Sloan 01865 803168; anniesloan.co.uk • Anton & K 07875 911776; antonandk.co.uk • Benjamin Moore UK 01753 575756; benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk • Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010; clarke-clarke.co.uk • Crown Paints 0330 024 0281; crownpaints.co.uk • Designers Guild 020 7351 5775; designersguild.com • Dulux 0333 222 7171; dulux.co.uk • Earthborn Paints 01928 734171; earthbornpaints.co.uk • Edward Bulmer Natural Paint 01544 388535; edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk • Farrow & Ball 01202 876141; farrow-ball.com • Fired Earth 0845 366 0400; firedearth.com • Jennifer Manners 020 3648 6865; jennifermanners.co.uk • Lingering Light Studios 07701 049142; lingeringlightstudios.com • Linwood 01425 461176; linwoodfabric.com • Little Greene 0845 880 5855; littlegreene.com • Marston & Langinger Paint 01362 684125; marstonandlangingerpaint.com • Miles Griffiths Antiques 01524 241716; milesgriffithsantiques.co.uk • Murals…

BEFORE YOU BUY AT AUCTION CHECK CONDITION If you’re interested in buying antique furniture at auction, always seek a condition report from the auctioneers beforehand. This will tell you about any wear and tear, any signs of previous restoration, or any existing damage that will require repair. Even better, go to the sale preview and look at the piece in person. If you’re buying remotely online, or via a telephone bid, you may wish to see extra images of the item before placing your bid. ASSESS PROPORTIONS As lovely as something may look in a catalogue, check the measurements before you buy. Make sure that large furniture, such as wardrobes, sofas and tables will actually fit through your doorways. Bear in mind that they often break down into several pieces…

While the top-end prices for Rie’s creations are rising to the £200,000 mark, it is still possible to buy pieces from around £500. ‘There are different levels of Rie’s works, with some pieces more affordable,’ says Alexander Payne of Phillips. ‘It depends on the quality and essence of each piece – the technique, virtuosity and form. How a work is thrown as a piece of porcelain or stoneware.’ Her bowls are the bestsellers, especially the conical and footed forms, as seen by the four records set, but also her vases with their elongated necks and flaring lips. Works with the recognisable colourful textured glazes and surface decoration, such as the sgraffito and manganese, from the 1970s and 80s are also highly sought-after. Rie’s earlier domestic ware from the 1950s, a…

MARC ALLUM Based in Chippenham, the antiques expert shares his top local spots for antique finds. A miscellaneous specialist on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, Marc Allum is now embarking on his 20th year on the show. A freelance art and antiques journalist, writer and broadcaster, Marc is a self-confessed collectaholic whose interests range from prehistory to modern design. He has written and contributed to many books on antiques, art and collectables.marcallum.co.uk Wiltshire is a large county but I live in a wonderfully connective spot, bordered by Gloucestershire, Somerset and Oxfordshire. The vernacular architecture is mellow, honey-coloured stone and there are lots of wonderful places within striking distance – Lacock nearby, market towns such as Devizes, Bath half an hour away and the Cotswolds stretching north through Malmesbury, Tetbury and up the…

CHERNER CHAIR This unsung hero of mid-century design used the steam-bending methods developed by US military DESIGN HISTORY The word sofa is derived from suffa , an Arabic term for a platform with cushions. Get comfy on LUCIE RIE Last year a bowl by the studio potter sold for £106,250 at Phillips. Discover her work on FROM THE ARCHIVE Among the latest decorating trends, this paper by Little Greene was created from a 1920s wall decoration FABERGÉ It took Fabergé up to four years of painstaking work to create the Imperial Easter Eggs for the Romanovs Follow us... FOLLOW THE H&A TEAM… … on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for regular updates and to find out which fairs we’ll be visiting…

WAKE UP TO SPRING Take your cues from the delicate shades of the natural world to curate little displays of new-season beauty in your home Walls painted in ‘Brighton’, £42 for 2.5l Absolute Matt Emulsion, Little Greene. Vintage handblock, £15, Pimpernel & Partners. Stone from the beach, stylist’s own. Wallpaper samples, from a selection at St Jude’s. Fabric samples, from a selection at Vanessa Arbuthnott. Rusty key, £3.50, RE. Antique glass fern etched jug, £35; antique blue and white mug, £185, both Tobias and the Angel. Yellow jute string, £1.50, RE. Antique glass, £95, Maison Artefact. Leaf coaster tile, £7, Rowen & Wren. Vintage red OS map, £4.50, RE. Paint chart, Little Greene. Four hand-block printed books, £9.50, Tobias and the Angel. Other books, stylist’s own. Antique floral jug, £595,…

Every chapter of The Creative Home provides oodles of ideas for putting together a stylish pad, whether you’re going for maximum impact or creating a beloved nook. (Ryland, Peters & Small, £19.99) You’ll fall in love with every one of the 14 houses in Romantic English Homes. They celebrate timeless and individual style through a glorious mix of colour, fabric and collectable pieces. (Cico Books, £30) The Belgians know a thing or two about design. Eccentric Homes celebrates the quirky abodes of some of the country’s creative. It’s a masterclass in mixing contrasting pieces to great effect. (Luster, £38)…

For a man whose work is seen as a triumph of British design, Robert Adam was deeply influenced by his travels in continental Europe. A master of detail and scale, Adam was born in Fife in 1728, the son of Scottish architect William Adam. It was during his Grand Tour that Adam’s personal creative vision began to take shape. Three years of studying classical architecture in Rome proved to be deeply influential, ultimately seeing him challenge the popular Palladian style of the day on his return to Britain. As a designer, Adam championed his principle of ‘movement’, by which he meant incorporating rooms of different scales and aesthetics into his designs. Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, one of his first commissions, is seen as perfect execution of his theory (nationaltrust.org.uk/ kedleston-hall).…

FINE FORMS Inspired by the Yorkshire landscapes of his childhood, Henry Moore is considered one of Britain’s greatest sculptors. A new exhibition features over 50 of the artist’s works. * Until 7th May. The Lightbox, Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4AA. 01483 737800; thelightbox.org.uk Bright spark A multi-talented modernist, Josef Frank was an architect, designer and progressive thinker. Born in Austria, Frank moved to Sweden in 1933 where he created bold designs for everything from fabric and glassware to entire interiors, giving birth to Swedish modernism. The exhibition Josef Frank Patterns–Furniture–Painting reveals his talents and will surely brighten your day. * Until 7th May. Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF. 020 7407 8664; ftmlondon.org ANOTHER COUNTRY Surrounded by Capability Brown-sculpted greenery, Compton Verney is the perfect…

SMALL WONDERS Great things come in small packages, as this exhibition of doll’s houses at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery shows. 4th March –25th June. 01603 493625; museums.norfolk.gov.uk SPRING INTO ACTION Around 160 exhibitors will be tempting eagle-eyed browsers with a wide range of items at the Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair in Battersea Park, London. 4th–9th April. 020 7616 9327; decorativefair.com CONSTABLE IN BRIGHTON A new exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery allows you to experience the seaside resort through the eyes (and works) of the Romantic painter John Constable, who lived there with his wife Maria between 1824 and 1828. 8th April–8th October. 03000 290900; brightonmuseums.org.uk/brighton…

NEW ‘Pineapple Royale’ wallpaper in ‘Graphite and Gold’, £56 per roll, Sanderson. 0844 543 9500; sanderson-uk.com OLD 1970s sterling silver condiment set, £795, AC Silver. 0191 240 2645; acsilver.co.uk OLD Brass and steel chandelier, c1970, £485, Lorfords. 01666 505111; lorfordsantiques.com NEW ‘Flower’ clock, £39.50, Marks & Spencer. 0333 014 8000; marksandspencer.com OLD Pair of 1970s koi fish lamps (one shown), £2,800, Fears & Kahn. 01949 851736; fearsandkahn.co.uk OLD 1970s palm tree coffee table, £1,500, Hopper + Space.hopperandspace.com NEW ‘Margot’ two-seater sofa in ‘Antique Gold Velvet’, £499, Made.com. 03442 571888; made.com OLD Pair of 1970s shell-back swivel chairs, £6,500, Talisman London. 020 7731 4686; talismanlondon.com NEW ‘Bash’ vessel by Tom Dixon, £300 (large), Amara. 0800 587 7645; amara.com NEW ‘Rita’ leopard cushion, £28, House of Fraser. 0345 602 1073; houseof fraser.co.uk…

Our job is to make a piece fit for purpose. We are rescuing it from the bonfire and putting it back into people’s homes where they will stroke, love, use and polish it for years to come ‘We sit in a workshop and chip away at old paint.’ That’s how Gill Jessop modestly sums up the restoration work performed by herself and partner Roger Etheridge at Etheridge & Jessop in Derbyshire. While it is true that removing the layers of paint applied over decades to pine furniture is part of their work, the point of this labour is to reveal and to save what is hidden underneath: the beautiful decoration originally applied to the furniture when it was first made in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is work…

These interiors look eclectic, yet overall themes make the style work in harmony. Your space needs to look artfully edited; you don’t want a room cluttered with an odd assortment of decor that doesn’t hang together. Modern vintage works through a rhythm of unexpected pairings. When you choose something vintage, make sure something modern is not far away. Sometimes, choosing styles that share a design ethic also brings visual harmony. Mid-century modern somehow connects with minimalist Japanese, while modern country furniture sits well with antique examples. Let your interiors unfold around your passions, embracing the kitsch, the quirky and the eccentric. Be inspired to create your own home of modern vintage.…

More than just delicate sketches, botanical prints were the photographic works of their day, enabling us to scientifically catalogue and classify a range of individual plant and fruit species. ‘Some of the earliest botanical prints that I have seen are by Basilius Besler,’ explains Richard Shepherd, antique print specialist at Henry Sotheran Ltd, one of London’s longest established antiquarian bookshops. ‘He was a Nuremberg-based botanist who catalogued all of the plants in a large garden in Bavaria in the early 17th century – a feat that almost bankrupted him!’ Besler’s method of enabling unknown plants to be named and classified became central to the global exploration undertaken by scholars during the Age of Enlightenment (17th-18th century). At around the same time, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew were founded, and…

This Cherner chair graciously complements the selection of antiques, furniture and mid-century ceramics in Lizzie’s dining room. Norman Cherner’s iconic seat, described as an unsung hero of mid-century design, first appeared in 1958. It utilised the affordable methods of steam-bending plywood developed by the US military during the Second World War. The chair’s signature wisp waist and generous curves assured its status as a domestic classic. It made the front page of The Saturday Evening Post and appeared in animated form in Pixar’s Toy Story 2. DESIGN Norman Cherner, a New York-based architect and designer, is best known for his design of low-cost mass housing in post-war America. In the 1950s, US design company, Herman Miller, began to experiment with plywood furniture. When its first ‘Pretzel’ seat proved too fragile,…

Profile THE OWNERS Emily and Charlie Pinsent live here with their daughters Poppy (six) and Lara (four) and their Jack Russell Kato. Emily sells her collections of antique and new accessories from The Long Room in Tisbury (montesandclark.co.uk). Charlie is a specialist in deli produce. THE PROPERTY The house was originally two buildings; the front is 19th-century, while the back is 20th. It has a newly extended kitchen/pantry, living room and children’s playroom downstairs. Upstairs are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Emily Pinsent’s passion for ceramics began when she was a teenager. ‘The first antique I bought was a big dairy bowl from a local antiques shop,’ she says. ‘Everyone thought I was completely mad and wondered what I was going to do with it. Little did they know that…

1 WINE COOLER The wine cooler was an essential adjunct to the serving table or sideboard in 18th and 19th-century dining rooms. This design, dating from c1780, is of classic open-top, brass hoop-supported, ‘coopered’ form. Coolers were also produced in urn, trunk, and sarcophagus shapes – the latter especially during the English Regency period. Examples with lockable lids are more correctly referred to as ‘cellarets’. 2 WALL MIRRORS The mirrors either side of the chimney breast were made c1745, approximately five years before the architectural remodelling of the room. Although not as classically rectilinear in design as the overmantel which they flank and the wall panelling on which they hang, they complement them well, as the scrolling foliate forms in their gilded wooden and gesso frames echo the decorative details.…

1 DEEP END  A relative newcomer to interiors and growing in popularity, dark colours create warm and intimate living spaces. They work especially well in older properties, where dusky hues enhance the feeling of tradition. Suitable for most areas, they make small rooms seem cosy, bring a touch of glamour to larger ones and, in hallways and staircases, offer a sense of intrigue. Lighting is the key to success, so make sure you have enough lamps to bring the room to life in the evening. Bright accents energise dark schemes. ‘Try contrasting colours such as teal and saffron or charcoal and scarlet,’ says Sue Hardie, head of design at Osborne & Little. ‘Dark colours enhance soft muted colours and deep shades of slate grey and sapphire blue sit beautifully with…

DON’T TREAT A DEALER AS YOUR ENEMY , downplaying an object by pointing out everything that may be wrong with it. It’s fine to say that you love something but can’t pay the price tag – see what the response is. Sometimes you’ll get a steal, other times you may pay a little over the odds. It all balances out. BUILD A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP and do your best to ensure that a dealer thinks of you when they see something they know you like, and will hold something back for you. Other little favours may sprout from there. TRY NOT TO PLAY DEALERS OFF AGAINST EACH OTHER , as the antagonism won’t help you in the long run. The antiques and vintage market is surprisingly small and dealers do know…

Buying an antique sofa is highly personal. ‘People might like the smart lines of a Georgian piece for their homes,’ Helen Linfield says, ‘or they might prefer something a little more art deco.’ Once you’ve made your choice, however, the next step is keeping your new prized possession in good condition. Normal rules of antique care will apply to sofas too: try to keep them away from direct sunlight, which could bleach colour from the piece, and from air conditioning or heating that could warp the frame. Antique sofas should also be cleaned and polished with suitable products regularly. It’s best to keep your lifestyle in mind when making your selection too. If you have children, a sturdier sofa from the 18th or 19th century will stand up to family…

WHERE TO SEE • Blackwell House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JT. 01539 446139; blackwell.org.uk • The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. 020 7323 8299; britishmuseum.org • Centre of Ceramic Art, York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW. centreofceramicart.org.uk • City Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH. 0121 348 8038; birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag • Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7DS. 01252 891450; csc.uca.ac.uk • Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, UEA, Norwich, NR4 7TJ. scva.ac.uk • Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. 020 7942 2000; vam.ac.uk WHERE TO BUY • Adrian Sassoon, 14 Rutland Gate, London, SW7 1BB. 020 7581 9888; adriansassoon.com • Erskine, Hall & Coe, 28 Old Bond St, London, W1S 4SP. 020 7491 1706; erskinehallcoe.com •…

NORTH & SCOTLAND 1st Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair, Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, BD18 3JS. 9.30am–4pm. £3. 07985 181120; roseandbrownvintage.co.uk 9th The Vintage Village, Stockport Covered Market Hall, Market Place, Stockport, SK1 1EU. 10am–4pm. £2.thevintagevillage.co.uk 22nd–23rd The Festival of Vintage, York Racecourse. 10am–5pm. £20 weekend, £12 day. 07880 910361; festivalofvintage.co.uk 30th Manchester Antique Textile Fair, Armitage Centre, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6HE. 10am–4.30pm. £6. 020 7923 0331; textilesociety.org.uk WEST & WALES 31st March–2nd The Cotswolds Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair, Westonbirt School, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QG. 11am–5pm. £5. 01278 784912; cooperevents.com 1st The Vintage Bazaar, The Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE. 9am–3pm. £2.thevintagebazaar.blogspot.co.uk 2nd The National Vintage Wedding Fair, Bristol Grammar School, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR. 11am–3.30pm. £4. 07817 855287; vintageweddingfair.co.uk 2nd Liberty…

A cabinet of curiosities The cabinet originally belonged to an elderly friend and I was told it had been in her family for a long time (possibly nearly 200 years). She knew my husband Nigel admired it, and so when she died she arranged for us to have it for a nominal sum of £10. That was about 25 years ago. There are no markings that I can see, but I don’t move it much. The shelves look like they are lined with fabric, and the glass is very slightly tinted. ANN SCOURFIELD, BLAENAVON, SOUTH WALES All that jazz What a wonderful October issue of Homes & Antiques – art deco is my favourite era and, on page 135, there was my Chassaing Josephine Baker poster! I got very excited…

A SALE OF NOTE RUSSIAN REVELATION Sometimes, out of dusty corners come hidden treasures, as was the case when Tennants’ Steve Stockton went out on a valuation to the village of Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire. ‘Stowed away in an old oak corner cupboard, undisturbed for 90 years, were three oyster dishes from the world-famous ‘Raphael’ dinner service made for Tsar Nicholas II by the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg,’ says Stockton. The plates were gifted to a Lancashire engineer who travelled to Russia several times during the 1920s on business and are up for auction at Tennants’ Spring Fine Art sale, est £15,000–£20,000. * 24th–25th March. 01969 623780; tennants.co.uk LOTS TO LOVE DECORATIVE FINDS ‘Borrowing’ ancestors is en vogue and this oil portrait, said to be Eliza Palmer,…

FINE CHINA Chinese vase finial on reeded gilt pole. £751.50 for a set of two finials, 1.5m pole plus 16 rings * 01449 737999; edwardharpley.com BEECH LIFE ‘Villa Collection – Strio’ beech finial with wooden pole. Finials £68.40 per pair; pole from £105 * 020 7352 7450; houles.com GOLD STANDARD Fine reeded wood pole shown in gold imitation gilt with resin finial. Finials from £308 per pair; pole from £165 per m * 020 7627 5077; mckinney.co.uk HIGH GLOSS ‘Elements Curzon’ pole and finial kit in ‘Satin Steel’. From £62 * 01543 271421; swish.co.uk GO TROPICAL Pineapple brass finial on brass curtain pole. Finial from £10.20–£24 each; pole from £124.80 per m * 01525 750333; thevictorianemporium.com AHEAD OF THE CURVE Oak and wrought iron pole with scroll finial. From £120…

Dulux, the UK’s well-known paint brand, is giving H&A readers the chance to win one of 10 prizes to boost your decorating projects. Each winner will receive £200 to spend on the company’s premium range, Heritage. Building on the brand’s 85 years of experience, the Heritage collection offers you professional-grade paint to achieve durable luxury in your home. Hand-picked by Dulux’s colour and design experts, the range of 112 shades features 47 brand new additions that answer the modern interiors lover’s demand for a fresh take on traditional tones. These new shades bring a revitalised, crisp feel to a range of classic, sophisticated hues with a timeless quality. The colours run from cool neutrals to rich hues with depth to suit any home and style, the paints’ unique names deriving…

• 4th–5th Fine Arts & Antiques, The Canterbury Auction Galleries, 40 Station Road West, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8AN. 01227 763337; thecanterburyauctiongalleries.com • 5th Fine Furniture & Works of Art, Lyon & Turnbull, 33 Broughton Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3RR. 0131 557 8844; lyonandturnbull.com • 5th–6th Printed Books, Maps & Documents, Dominic Winter, Mallard House, Broadway Lane, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5UQ. 01285 860006; dominicwinter.co.uk • 6th Textiles & Vintage Fashion, Bristol Auction Rooms, The Old Brewery, Baynton Road, Ashton, Bristol, BS3 2EB. 0117 953 1603; bristolauctionrooms.co.uk • 6th Oriental Sale, Cheffins, Clifton House, 1 & 2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, CB1 7EA. 01223 213343; cheffins.co.uk • 6th Antiques & Fine Art with Sporting, Clocks & Barometers, Adam Partridge, Withyfold Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 2BD. 01625 431788; adampartridge.co.uk • 7th Fine Art –…

For me, architectural antiques is the most interesting area of my field. It’s what I started out in and I still buy the very best of it today. I love the regional variations in styles, and how you can clearly see the craftsmanship in pieces that wouldn’t be made the same way today. I get just as excited when I find a beautiful door handle as I do a lovely old Howard armchair. They can have an equally transformative impact on a home. Until you’ve done it, walking into an architectural antiques, reclamation or salvage yard can seem quite daunting. But there’s no mystery; a good dealer will be able to give you all of the advice you want. All you need is your requirements. As a dealer, you turn…

OLD Botanical prints from a book dated 1845, £4,608 for set of 16 (one shown), Julia Boston Antiques. 020 7610 6783; juliaboston.com NEW ‘Pastel Lustre’ vases, £39.95 for set of three, Mia Fleur. 0116 298 6393; miafleur.com NEW ‘Bordallo Pinheiro’ cabbage bowl, £15, Amara. 0800 587 7645; amara.com NEW ‘Egg’ ceiling light, £60, Furnish. 0345 544 4044; furnish.co.uk OLD 20th-century Gustavian-influenced painted chest of drawers, £3,250, Debenham Antiques Ltd. 01728 860707; antiquefurniture.tv OLD Six vintage aluminium chairs, £5,400 for the set, Talisman London. 020 7731 4686; talismanlondon.com NEW ‘Chelsea’ cushion, £70, Sanderson. 0844 543 9500; sanderson-uk.com NEW Drawer knobs, £9 each, Chocolate Creative. 020 7635 6371; chocolatecreative.co.uk OLD Early 19th-century English pottery box, £975, John Howard. 01993 812580; antiquepottery.co.uk NEW ‘Pudding’ sofa in ‘Cotton Candy’ wool, £1,565, Loaf. 0845 468…

HOME OF THE MONTH FRAGMENTS OF BLUE-AND-WHITE china are displayed on the kitchen wall, 19th-century cameos are grouped in gilt frames (left) and curios from Italy and Turkey are dotted throughout the blue-hued rooms. Two things are clear in this romantic home, its owner, Inge Bemelmans, has an eye for the eclectic and a talent for display.…

Profile THE OWNER Inge Bemelmans lives here with her husband Willem de Vries and their two children Victor (16) and Josephine (15) and their two dogs Floor and Snuitje. After working in the healthcare sector for 15 years, Inge opened her own antiques and jewellery shop in 2004 (mapreference.nl). Willem works in transport. THE PROPERTY The semi-detached villa is located in Heemstede, a municipality in north Holland, near the capital of the province, Haarlem. It was built in 1934 and has three floors. There’s a kitchen/ diner, dining room, living room, garden room, office and four bedrooms. Antiques are never dull or old-fashioned. Each piece is unique, which is why they never date,’ explains Inge Bemelmans, an antiques dealer and long-term lover of everything and anything old and characterful. Inge…

Profile THE OWNER Lizzie Gordon runs The Oscar Collective (theoscarcollective.co.uk) and lives here with her husband Tim, who works in finance, and their children Indigo (eight) and Cassius (six). They have two dogs, two cats and three chickens. THE PROPERTY The Cotswolds house has two reception rooms, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, cellar, snug, office, four bedrooms, one bathroom and one en suite, plus a garden room with fifth bedroom and bathroom. Having studied art history, worked as a fashion PR and latterly trained as an interior designer, before launching her antiques business, Lizzie Gordon, unsurprisingly, does not follow a traditional style blueprint. The Regency Cotswolds home that she shares with husband Tim and their two children, showcases her anti-minimalist style – a look that harks back to the golden era…

Profile THE OWNERS Jaime and Justin Cooke live here with their daughter Alberta (seven), sons Gibson (six) and Monty (three), and Great Dane Herman. Jaime teaches Pilates and spin (some classes are held in the ballroom), while Justin is a digital media consultant. THE PROPERTY The family live in a part of Bayham Hall, a Grade II-listed manor. There is an entrance hall, drawing room, formal dining room, playroom, ballroom, two cloakrooms and a kitchen-diner on the ground floor. On the two floors above are seven bedrooms, five bathrooms and an office. We didn’t want to feel intimidated by the house’s heritage… the decor needs to suit family life and it feels very ‘us’ The rooms of Bayham Hall would originally have echoed to the music of society balls held…

Bazar Antiques, 82 Golborne Road, London, W10 5PS. 020 8969 6262 ‘On a great street for antiques, this shop is small but has inspiring antique French furniture.’ Estremoz Saturday Market, Portugal ‘This has to be my favourite market and is where I source a lot for my collections. My top tip is to get there when they are packing up at lunchtime as they don’t really want to take stock home.’ Kingsettle Antiques, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury, SP7 9AH. 01747 850467; kingsettleantiques.co.uk ‘Sometimes the best finds may be just down the road. My local is always fun for a rummage.’…

1 Halls Fine Art Established in 1845, Halls is the leading auction house in Shropshire. Offering a full programme of fine and specialist auctions, alongside their fortnightly interiors sales, there is always something of interest. Halls also hold weekly valuation days at their modern salerooms on Mondays, with their dedicated team of specialists, between 10am and 1pm, where they will provide free auction estimates and advice. Home visits available, by appointment. Forthcoming auctions: 22nd March – Fine Art, Silver and Jewellery 26th April – Country House Auction 21st June – Fine Art, Silver and Jewellery 19th July – Country House Auction Halls Holdings House, Bowmen Way, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, SY4 3DR hallsgb.com/fine-art 01743 450700 2 Tennants Auctioneers With over 40 Specialist sales a year, three major Fine Art sales, Country House…

1 LET THE OBJECT SPEAK TO YOU. My father is a retired Formula One engineer and always taught me that in order to understand an object, you have to understand how it was made and what it was made from. A good example is the level of carving on furniture, or amount of well-painted detail on Victorian ceramics. 2 LOOK AT WHAT LATER GENERATIONS OF COLLECTORS MAY GROW UP TO COLLECT if you’re buying for the future. Remember that nostalgia is a key driver. Much as it may anger traditionalists, popular culture rules here. So a science fiction or fantasy subject will often be more of a draw than something related to cowboys or more traditional porcelains. Also bear in mind long-standing franchises in popular culture – Star Wars has…

1 NOT ALL SILVER IS HALLMARKED. It really does pay to learn the marks and conventions on silver produced in other countries. Always rootle through silver plate to check that it isn’t in fact solid silver. 2 MARKS CAN IDENTIFY THE COUNTRY. ‘GES.GESCH.’ (Gesetzlich Geschütz), ‘D.R.G.M.’ (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster), ‘D.R.’ or ‘D.R.P.’ (Deutsches Reichspatent) indicate Germany. ‘Brevet’, ‘Breveté’ and ‘S.G.D.G.’ France, ‘Brevetti’ Italy and ‘Eneret’ Denmark. All were used from the late 1800s. 3 In the UK, an INTAGLIO DIAMOND MARK with a circle was used for design registrations (1842–1883), then numbers typically prefixed ‘Reg’d No.’ (1884–1980). From archives, these marks reveal the maker and designer(s). 4 ‘Trademark’ was used after 1862 in the UK, and after 1867 in the US. 5 The word ‘COPYRIGHT’ was only used from the…

OUR EXPERTS Chris Large Ceramics specialist and valuer at Peter Wilson fine art auctioneers Judith Miller BBC Antiques Roadshow expert and co-author of Miller’s Guides Alexander Payne Deputy chairman and worldwide head of design at Phillips auctioneers An apron is folded on a stool as if the potter Dame Lucie Rie has this minute popped upstairs to take a cake out of the oven (facing page). Her two kick-wheels are still, button moulds are neatly stacked on shelves along with finished pots, and brushes and modelling tools are accompanied by a typewriter and a radio. However, this is not Rie’s Albion Mews apartment in Bayswater where she lived and worked from 1939 until her death in 1995, but Room 143 on Level 6 of the Victoria and Albert Museum. So…

If the landscapes of Wiltshire’s northern reaches appear as flawless as a film set, it’s for very good reason. This corner of the county has been captured on the big and small screen in a multitude of period pieces, from Lark Rise to Candleford and Downton Abbey to Poldark. Taking one of the lead roles is Lacock. Three miles south of Chippenham, this village of seductive stone and half-timbered houses is largely owned by the National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk). Lacock Abbey was built as a nunnery in the 13th century and converted into a home three centuries later. The Cloisters, Chapter House and other remnants of medieval monastic life remain, blending harmoniously with its Victorian gardens. The abbey was originally founded in 1232 by Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury,…

2–FOR–1 6th–9th Antiques for Everyone, Halls 18–19, The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, B40 1NT. 11am–6pm (closes 5pm on Sunday). £15 (£12 advance). 0844 581 0827; antiquesforeveryone.co.uk 2–FOR–1 9th Adams Antiques Fair, Lindley Hall, The Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton Street, London, SW1P 2QW. 10am–4.30pm. £4. 020 7254 4054; adamsantiquesfairs.com 2–FOR–1 21st–23rd Betley Court Antiques & Fine Art Fair, Main Rd, Betley, Cheshire, CW3 9BH. 10.30am–5pm Friday & Saturday, 11am–4pm Sunday. £8. 07798 931437; pandmantiquesevents.co.uk 2–FOR–1 23rd Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5EE. 11am–5.30pm. £4. 020 7503 9171; frockmevintagefashion.com 2–FOR–1 Present this page on entry to buy two tickets for the price of one * All dates are subject to change. Please check the details with the event organisers before travelling CATCH IT…

1 B2B Events Antiques fair B2B Events run the very best in antiques and collectors fairs, vintage, flea and retro fairs. • Sunday 5th March – Cranmore Park Vintage & Antiques Fair, Exhibition Centre, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4LE. Admission: Early Entry 9am – £3. 10am–4pm – £2.50. • Easter Monday 17th April – Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW. Admission: 7.30am–3.30pm £5. B2Bevents.info 01636 676531 2 The Cotswolds Decorative Antiques & Art Fair Antiques fair Decorative, antique, rare, high-quality and vintage make for a great mix of fine art, antiques and collectors’ pieces at this perfect spring fair held in the charming setting of Westonbirt School, near Tetbury and 10 minutes from the M4. For complimentary e-tickets, visit the website. Restaurant facilities are provided,…

A Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amy Perry Antiques 01666 500354; amyperryantiques.co.uk Anne Fowler 01666 504043; annefowlertetbury.co.uk Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476; anthropologie.com The Antique Mirror Company 07930 639936; antiquedmirror.com Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair 01636 702326; iacf.co.uk Astier de Villatte astierdevillatte.com Atomic 0115 965 7920; atomicinteriors.co.uk B Benchmark 01488 608020; benchmarkfurniture.com Bert & May 020 3744 0776; bertandmay.com Best Tile best-tile.co.uk Bonhams 020 7447 7447; bonhams.com British Standard 020 7870 7688; britishstandardcupboards.co.uk Brownrigg 01666 500850; brownrigg-interiors.co.uk Burlington 01322 473222; burlingtonbathrooms.com C Christopher Farr 020 7349 0888; christopherfarrcloth.com The Conran Shop 0844 848 4000; conranshop.co.uk Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123; coxandcox.co.uk CP Hart 0345 873 1121; cphart.co.uk D David Mellor 020 7730 4259; davidmellordesign.com The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair decorativefair.com Dedar 020 7351 9939; dedar.com…

FIVE FACTS ABOUT GEOFFREY 1 Geoffrey started at Wartski, of which he is now MD, at 19. On his third day, a chap came in to see the Fabergé. Geoffrey led the gentleman to the pieces, before learning that the man was the King of Greece. 2 A regular on the Roadshow since 1989, Geoffrey’s very first TV appearance was actually in 1963, when he and his brother appeared on Animal Magic with their pet foxes. 3 In 2009, Geoffrey ran the London Marathon, raising some £80,000 for the Samaritans. 4 An enthusiastic mud-larker, in his downtime Geoffrey can often be found searching for fascinating yet worthless treasures along the banks of the Thames. 5 Keen animal-lovers, the Munns have two dogs, two horses, and a parrot named Keiko. I’ve…