Antiques
You’ve done enough work this week- it’s time to browse antiques
This bevy of beauties is really making my heart sing. The lady like curves of the dusky pink chair, the faded beauty of the pattern on that antique marriage bench. Gah! It makes me want to run out and buy a new hallway so I can sweep it up and take it home. Not practical, I hear you.
If folk doesn’t float your boat then some alternative seating is available.
I am of the humble opinion that John Cornwall Antiques is hard to beat when it comes to folk art furniture and this marriage bench is no exception. With solid construction and really delivering on the word patina in the best way, this one is from Eastern Transylvania.
If you’re feeling a bit folky yourself then this 2 seater pine settle is crying out for a lick of paint and all your best free hand (or stencilled) flowers. Not bad at £365 either.
If folk doesn’t float your boat then some alternative seating is available. Up top we’ve got some red lacquered rush seat chairs from Four Quarters Home. That cherry red would be a good lift in any neutral space. The eagle eyed amongst you will spot that they’re ‘in the style of’ Vico Magistretti whereas the restored pair above are from his collaboration with Habitat back in the day. Currently on sale here. I do like a rush seat.
20th century construction and ageing like a fine wine.
Imagined Interiors are a new discovery for me and have been quickly added to my little black book of antique go-tos. This charming 19th century cupboard came out of Dunkirk Manor in the Cotswolds, a fine looking listed building if ever there was one. It’s a fairly heavy piece so use it to ground a lighter scheme.
If you are in need of a traditional looking lady like chair made from hardwood then this one is excellent. 20th century construction and ageing like a fine wine.
Circular shapes can be really good in tighter spaces where you want to avoid clobbering your kneecaps or shins on corners.
Just when you thought I was forgetting about you modernists, here’s a few lively clean lined pieces to whet your appetite. I am a big fan of Katie’s collection of rugs at Ourika London. There are some excellent antique options and she has one of the best collections of swedish rugs including this one. Long time readers of the newsletter will know that the powerhouse women of 20th century rug design left their initials on their designs so keep an eye out!
If you’re feeling studious you might like this desk. Now sold but search for 1930s oak desks if you like the handles and lines of this style.
It’s crying out to be paired with a fabulous blow dry and a dirty martini.
If you’re over everything being rectangular, then this copper Italian coffee table could be for you. Circular shapes can be really good in tighter spaces where you want to avoid clobbering your kneecaps or shins on corners.
Talking of corners, here’s a pair of really good looking ones. You can rely on 70s Italy to make a coffee table so fantastically luxe looking. This marble has a honed finish and comes apart for easy transportation. It’s crying out to be paired with a fabulous blow dry and a dirty martini.
Et finalement this one is for you, Mum, as I know you are on the hunt for a good rug of late. This is another find from Imagined Interiors with a traditional Herati motif from Iran presented in such a dense and rich way. 10ft by 6.9ft makes for a very generous size, too. That’s about 3m by 2m for those of us on the metric system…
And that’s what’s caught my eye this week. Happy browsing and a very happy weekend to you all.
Best,
S