Antiques Showcase

 

InteriorBoutiques

at

 The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

Battersea Park, London

 

 

 

Elegant furnishings to eye-catching designs.

 This is the place to furnish your home with antiques and mid-century finds

 from around the globe. 

Callie Hollenden

 

Callie Hollenden

 

 

 

  

 

Smart, sophisticated country house interiors.

18th & 19th century English & European furniture, mirrors & lighting.

 

 

 

 

Callie Hollenden

 

 

 

 



French Loft

 

 

French Loft

 

 

 

Rowland realised his was an unusual enthusiasm for 6am starts to scour the antique fairs and French markets - he is a buyer at heart and he has a great eye for outstanding and creative finds. French Loft, the name given to the interior design, furniture and home goods business, is based in an old brewery building, in a quiet street a stones throw from Arundel medieval castle. The chosen objects which fill the warehouse are a personification of Rowland's taste - the faded French 19th Century armoires, Marie therese chandeliers, and the reupholstered Louis XVI style chairs. Rowland does things in a fantastically unsnobbish way and his approach to design is very levelheaded. It's never about the latest thing, but where beauty and utility are intrinsic to objects you like to see, touch and use everyday.

 

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/french-loft

 

 



Harmony Antiques

 

 

Harmony Antiques



 

In an unlikely position, tucked away behind the Co-Op in Arundel, are the remains of the old historic Swallow Brewery. disused for many years, the Old Brewery Buildings now houses three antiques businesses, collectively known as The Old Brewery Antiques Warehouses. Harmony Antiques, situated in the centre of the three businesses, was established in 2009 and offers an interesting mix of Antiques and Vintage items, including furniture for interiors and gardens, lighting, mirrors, paintings, statuary for inside and out, and quirky one-off objects. Harmony Antiques sell internationally, to the trade and interior designers, as well as locals and visitors to the town, both from the showrooms, and an ever- increasing on line presence. Business owner Steve Lawrence is constantly on buying trips to ensure a new selection to showcase as the stock changes constantly. Visit the Storefront via our website to see our current stock. We also look forward to meeting you in person in Arundel.

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/harmony-antiques

 

 



Arundel Eccentrics

 

Arundel Eccentrics

 

 

Arundel Eccentrics are a husband and wife team with an interesting,eclectic collection of English and French decorative antiques. Their company has been in Arundel for almost 20 years. Now their large showroom is based in the last remaining buildings of the 19th century Swallow Brewery hidden away down a little side street in the town. (Just behind Arundel's Co-op) one minutes walk from Arundel High Street. Well.... 30 seconds if you're a fast walker. Apart from their beautiful decorative original furniture and accessories and extremely competitive prices what gives them a different edge? Their one off quirky decoupage pieces. Nass and Brenda source English 19th century bamboo and chests plus vintage pots and boxes that are slightly down at heel. They restore, paint and decorate using 19th century images in the form of decoupage. Their chests of drawers with fish, shells or botanicals and English Victorian bamboo are sought after by interior designers and have featured in both national and international interiors magazines. They also have a collection of their decorative antiques on the 4th floor of Liberty in London. Open Friday Saturday and Sunday 10-4 Other times by chance or appointment. Trade welcome any time just call.

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/arundel-eccentrics

 

 



TheKula

 

TheKula

 

 

'your upholstery is like fine tailoring' Sophie Conran

My name is Christine Shepherd, a Londoner by birth, entrepreneur and a free spirit by nature with a passion for chairs, lighting and art. And owner of TheKula.

We specialise in unusual and elegant chairs from the 1930’s – 1950’s and vintage lamps created by renowned Spanish manufacturer ‘fase’ of Madrid. Our chairs are for the discerning customer, those that seek quality and individuality as all our chairs are one-off, unique, beautiful creations. We also have a selection of handpicked tables, paintings and decorative items in our premises at 52 High Street, Old Town Hastings.

A little about me .....My passion for design and interiors developed in 2007, whilst living in Andalucia, Spain, when I was given the opportunity to remodel 33 rooms of Hotel Punta Sur in Tarifa. Delighted with the outcome the owners then commissioned me to design three new suites and remodel the lounge and restaurant areas.

In 2010 I returned to the UK and whilst wondering what to do next (I did say I was a free spirit) I began to see the mid-century chairs and ‘fase’ lamps that I had used in Spain in various lifestyle magazines. I thought to myself ‘I know where to find those!’ It was a ‘eureka’ moment and TheKula UK was born.

I source furnishings that inspire me, that make me gasp with excitement as soon as I see them …. and those that I can carry! What began with a weekly stall in Spitalfields Antique Market, London has developed into a small, but gorgeous shop in Hastings Old Town. My clients come from all walks of life with one thing in common …. an eye for beautiful things.

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/thekula

 





Les Trois Garçons

 

 

Les Trois Garçons

 

The creative trio that make up Les Trois Garçons need little introduction. From the early days selling antiques and objets from market stalls, through countless wild parties, some of the most influential restaurant spaces of the last fifteen years, an iconic interior design business through to the creation of fully curated line of furniture and interior accessories – Les Trois Garçons Interiors – their body of works are the epitome of an urbane and thoroughly sophisticated style that looks both backwards and forwards and always has entertainment and ultimately fun at its heart.

 

 

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/les-trois-gar%c3%a7ons

 





Marchand Antiques

 

 

Marchand Antiques

 

 

Marchand Antiques has been established since 1994. The business was founded by Mark Lock, who is responsible for sourcing the stock from all over the British Isles and Europe, mainly sourcing from Sweden, Denmark, France and Italy. Marchand is a true family business and Mark is assisted by his wife Jacqueline, who heads up the sales team aided by Fiona, and their daughter Francesca, who looks after the IT and photography. Even Mark's father Vic looks after deliveries and collections. In Marchand's early days the business started in the classic way, by Mark operating as a runner, trading from his van. This soon flourished, and Mark took a space in Alfie's antique market to house the ever increasing stock. In the early days the core of the business was the London and overseas trade, but that rapidly expanded to include discerning private buyers and internationally renowned interior decorators, along with an increasing list of celebrity clients, who appreciate the discreet and reliable service. Marchand now have a large warehouse on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Arundel in West Sussex, which is viewable by appointment. Marchand stocks a wide variety of antiques, covering all the decorating styles and periods. We have stock from the 16th century through to the 20th century, including items in many styles including antique country furniture in oak and walnut, antique French and Swedish painted furniture, industrial, modernist, art deco, art nouveau, arts and crafts and mid-20th century designer items, through to garden and architectural antiques. Marchand's buying and stocking policy is quite simple: each piece is selected for its quality and uniqueness, and its ability to stand out on its own as the anchor piece for a room, or to complement a mood that has already been established. Marchand's style is hard to define, as it strives to be as unstylised as possible, by mixing periods and styles, and selecting items that work together regardless of period and style. This gives Marchand its strong and distinctive look, which has developed over the years.

 

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/marchand-antiques

 



Aeology at Relic

 

Aeology at Relic

 

A pioneer in decorative antiques- or more precisely in that area where visual, historical and folk art meet- Malcolm has been in the business since giving up law studies - and given his passion for French and Mediterranean art and traditions, it seems apt that his London shop/warehouse nestles beside the Eurostar Rail Terminus at London's St.Pancras Station. One of the UK’s foremost dealers in naïve objects, folk art, fairground carvings and the visually decorative, he is driven by his love for objects that fire the imagination. Renowned for unearthing pieces with a rare magical quality, he sources the original, the one -off and the inspirational for regular long-time clients and dealers or for newer contacts seeking either something beautiful for their homes or just the making of a good investment.

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/aeology-at-relic

 

 



Rare Rugs on InteriorBoutiques

 

 

Rare Rugs

 

 

 

Rare Rugs has one of the best collection of Antique and Vintage Kilim's, Rugs and Flatweaves in London.

Outstanding pieces from Mid to Late 19th Century to Vintage 1930's and 1950's in various sizes.

A long established family business dealing in rare and antique handmade Rugs, Kilim's & Textiles since Early 1950's.

We have supplied carpets to some of the world’s finest homes, well known organisations, Interior designers and private collectors during the course of many years as dealers in rare and antique carpets, specialising in authentic tribal Kilim's & Rugs obtained at origin or sourced globally.

 

 

 

 

We also have a fine selection of individual contemporary handmade rug's including some over size pieces suitable for the modern interior. 

The gallery is situated opposite Alfie's Antique Market in the heart of Westminster, London. 

Please contact us or visit our gallery and we give you our assurance that every effort will be made using our expertise to meet your requirements.

 

 

Visit Rare Rugs

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/rare-rugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



A Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet

A Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet: from Marchand Antiques

This piece is a bookcase cabinet constructed by Robert Heritage and Archie Shine for Heals of London circa 1959. It is entirely crafted from Rosewood and features five cupboard sections with removable shelves in the top tier, a large cupboard in the middle tier as well as four small draws and a cocktail cabinet, and finally on the lower tier are two large drawers and a smaller one.

This piece is highly utilitarian, the five cupboard sections could be used for any desired purpose but ultimately provide ample space for any storage type role and the large cupboard located in the middle portion of the bookcase cabinet can easily accommodate a flat-screen TV for example or anything with similar dimensions (for this specific application the sliding door is very useful as it offers protection for the contents of the cupboard in the middle tier). Of course this piece has more to offer, right of the cupboard in the middle tier are four small drawers which again can be used for any storage type role; right of these drawers one will find a fall front cocktail cabinet featuring a mirrored rear face and glass shelf. Continuing with this idea of utility, on the lower tier we find two large drawers capable of housing shoes, clothing, a cigar box perhaps, or whatever else its owner deems fit. Finally, on the right of these we find a final smaller drawer. This vast amount of storage space makes this piece a practical addition to any home, perhaps most well suited to a living room for the reasons previously outlined. 

Onto the more aesthetic side of this piece, the first thing to mention is the wood from which it was crafted, that being rosewood.  Rosewood is a hardwood commonly used in furniture, musical instruments, mathematical tools and various other applications; this is due to the fact that it offers not only rugged durability and relatively good shock resistance (making it ideal as a wood to use for practical a purpose as it doesn't wear easily) but also bears a truly stunning natural grain which we can see tastefully adorning the forward face of the bookcase cabinet. The dark brown tone of the wood, coupled with the cocktail cabinet and the wood’s grain provide a lavish rustic looking quality to an otherwise totally utilitarian piece and give it a more vibrant characteristic.
 


This piece is offered at £2,650.00, a great price for such a practical and beautiful piece and it doesn't go without saying that though it may have been designed half a century ago it wouldn't feel out of place and would in fact make a perfect addition to any modern home.   

For more pieces from Marchand Antiques, click here:
 http://interiorboutiques.com/en/marchand-antiques

For antiques, fine art, midcentury pieces and more, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/

Specialist Article by Stuart Shuster - "What Makes An Antique Attractive to a Customer?"

What Makes An Antique Attractive to a Customer?

Guest Editor - Stuart Shuster, from Church Street Antiques

Stuart has owned and run Church Street Antiques, in Marylebone's famous antiques district in London for over 30 years, and specialises in Edwardian, Victorian, English, French, 17th - 20th century furniture. As a man in the antiques business for such a long period, Stuart has expertise of this business which exceeds his years, and thus his business has flourished. He has supplied items for the world's interior designers, celebrities and businessmen, and he knows how to sell his items. He's given us this article describing his approach to his stock selection, and what he thinks is important in a piece. He's very straight-forward in discussion, and he clearly knows his stuff - have a read on to hear the man himself. 

The interesting thing about the antique business is that there are many different articles being sold at many different levels. Taking the furniture angle alone, there are many different levels at which it is being sold. In the future I will be giving you advice on different ways of finding, checking out & buying antique furniture, without having to over pay or get ripped off.

The kind of antique furniture I sell is basically affordable & functional. I'm not too bothered about datelines. The item doesn't have to be over 100 years old to be a good piece of furniture. For instance, some Victorian furniture can be very poorly made, whilst some 1950's pieces can be of amazing quality. You can buy a cheap quality inlaid mahogany Edwardian bureau bookcase for £750 or pay £1500 for a top quality 1950's example, which would be the one I would always buy.

The value of both items might go up at a similar percentage, but the 50's bureau bookcase has got to be the better investment. To be honest, most items that I sell are at the common sense buying, price level. Just compare what you would have to pay for the modern day equivalent in the stores today. Not only would you pay more for the new equivalent, but it would be far inferior in quality, with a massive loss in value as soon as you purchase it. More importantly, it won't look as good, with no character & it certainly will not last as long.

Most of the new furniture, being sold these days, is spray polished. That normally means that when scratched, the polish can just peal off & is difficult to polish over. I don't really want to get too technical right now, because I'd like to save that for another article in the future, regarding restoration & polishing. What I am really trying to say is, it's far better to buy the older piece of furniture, providing it's well made, than the new equivalent.

The only cheap reproduction furniture available these days, is the nasty overseas spray polished imports from  Far East countries. The main problem with these items is, besides being absolutely worthless as soon as they are purchased, the wood is never seasoned, so it starts splitting & warping in different room temperatures. Did you know that once the wood is cut from the tree, it needs to be left to dry out for many years, or be kiln dried; otherwise it will split & warp.

The main point I am trying to make is, wherever possible, if you have the choice, steer away from new reproduction furniture, in favor of older equivalents. As long as they are over 40 years, the quality, character & resale value will be much better.

For Stuart's site, if you're searching for gorgeous Victorian furniture, especially large mahogany, oak, Burr walnut, leather pieces, Stuart has extensive and constantly-changing stock. Click here for his site:
http://www.churchstreetantiques.net/

For Stuart's Interior Boutiques page, for a selection of his items and to see his Boutique Shop, click here:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/church-street-antiques

For more items, check out Interior Boutiques advance search:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory

Latest Find: A Genuine Ship Searchlight

Owning a true piece of sailor history - a definite unique find

Ship searchlights have been used since 1882 during the Franco-Prussian war, becoming widely used by 1907. Being used to dazzle gun crews to assist attacks, as key signalling devices, assist landing parties, locate attacking torpedo boats, engage nightly battles between nearby enemy units, these items have a rich and rather incredible practical history.

Other than this, interestingly, in the First World War, they were also used to create 'artificial moonlight', a practise which allowed night attacks to be executed by reflecting searchlight beams off clouds. Normal moonlight was used as 'movement light', thus artificial moonlight needed it's own distinction.


Of course, they now have varying uses in the entertainment industry, as advertising, festivals, fairs, and other large-scale events. The largest, in fact, resides in Las Vegas, on top of the pyramid shaped Luxor Hotel - the brightness from the Luxor lamp room is considered to be twice the brightness of an equally sized area of the sun's surface - that's pretty incredible!

 This particular piece is English, made of brass, and mounted on a polished steel tripod. It is quite the conversation piece - especially if you have an area in your home that requires quirky or interesting nautical pieces, this could be perfect for you. A curious child could find this fascinating (especially if he's particularly fond of his grandfather's old war stories!), or a young adult who's especially into their topical history.

This piece isn't too large, standing at 150cm high, 38cm wide and 24 deep - this could easily be placed in a corner, alongside a fireplace in your lounge, next to a bookcase in a study, or be placed in a curved staircase corner, for example.

It has plenty of character, is still mobile and still able to be swiveled - this could be the ultimate conversation piece for your home.

To have a look at this item, check this page out:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/ship-search-light

For more items from this dealer, Hudson Antiques, find their Interior Boutiques page here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/hudson-antiques

For our website, click this link:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Home/index

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searchlight

Our Item of the Day: The Cutest Bulldog You'll Ever See!

Whilst perusing through our site, I decided to search for Victorian items (a personal favourite era) - and found this incredible Papier Mache pup that I had to share with you.

I immediately fell in love with it. As you can see, the mouth is able to open, showing a full set of teeth, and the pup has a wonderfully whimsical fur collar. He looks like he could add a little breath of history into any child's bedroom, or could be a key centrepiece in any room for any true dog lover. 

It would fit well into rooms of neutral colour and texture as a centrepiece, or could add a touch of playfulness to children's bedrooms, the trend-setting teenager, or for any lover of creative design - it's quite the unique piece!

This piece was brought to us from Cristobal, one of our dealers with a gorgeous range of items - check out the rest of their stock at: http://interiorboutiques.com/en/cristobal
See more images of this item at: http://interiorboutiques.com/en/19thc-victorian-papier-mache-bulldog

Welcome to Interior Boutiques Blog!

Welcome to Interior Boutiques New Blog!

Our team is passionate about high quality, incredibly beautiful, decorative pieces of furniture, and of course, by extension, decoration. We've pooled some of the British nations greatest designers and antique collectors to give you a collection of furniture for you to browse and find any item you've imagined for your home, your business or your client.

Our blog, naturally, will bring you:
- Inspiration posts to give you ideas and share with you our favourite stylings
- Exclusive Interviews with our chosen vendors
- Specialist Blog Articles from our suppliers, experts in their fields, be that Garden staging, Mid-Century Furniture, Victorian Styling, Swedish rugs, and anything in between!
- We Visited.... We will be sharing our involvement with the antique world, including events that our team attend and will share our exclusive photos from these events.

We'll be adding more content as we go along, so join us on our journey of decoration, art and beauty here on our blog!



Today's Featured Dealer: Fine and Vintage
"From humble beginnings in Portobello Road, Fine and Vintage has built it's reputation selling a wide range of high quality decorative, antique and vintage pieces, dating from the 1880's to the 1980's.... we love the unusual"
See more about this dealer and their items at: http://interiorboutiques.com/en/fine-and-vintage