Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Homes & Antiques

Tell us what inspires you in this issue of H&A. Tag @homes_antiques on Instagram or use the email address, right As every collector knows, space is always a challenge. So for the June issue of H&A, we are shining a spotlight on space-saving designs and ideas, from streamlined furniture and compact storage through to diminutive antiques. Start on page 23, where Jenny Oldaker shares tips from the experts on how to maximise space in her room-by-room guide, Small Wonders. From nifty pieces of multi-purpose furniture to clever styling tricks, there are lots of inspiring ideas to consider. On our antiques pages, Luke Honey delights in the Lilliputian world of the toy soldier (p92), and highlights the brands to look out for. Meanwhile, Emma Longstaff explores the history of the thimble and its…

Garden party Take to the shade in style with a handsome parasol from the East London Parasol Company, covered in Balmoral fabric by Warner House. The Elizabeth Ruby Octagonal Parasol, shown here, is in homage to the late queen, and comes complete with regal tassels. Prices start from £1,200. eastlondonparasols.com Plenty of plates Designers Guild's celebrated decorative wallpapers and fabrics can now be found on dinner plates, side plates, pasta bowls, cereal bowls, teacups and saucers, espresso cups and saucers and mugs. There are two designs, Porcelaine de Chine, and Ikebana. From £20 for a set of two mugs. designersguild.com MOOD CHANGE The Two-faced cushion collection by Village London features fabrics from Guy Goodfellow and Schumacher, among others. Available in three styles in a range of patterns with a one…

Talking Shop My grandfather was a great collector of furniture, and I admired it from an early age. He was obsessed, quite rightly, with quality and style rather than being blinded by short-term fashion or hype. He particularly loved late 18th-century French pieces and his furniture collection was elegant and timeless, and really inspired me. I started out selling modern furniture online, but became frustrated by the short lifespan of the pieces; most modern furniture seemed to be made valuable mainly by the quality of marketing or hype, rather than the quality of the item itself. I wanted to give my customers better value for money, as well as making my business more sustainable in environmental terms. I decided only to sell what was, in my opinion, the very best,…

With a bit of careful planning, it's possible to ensure that even the smallest kitchen feels spacious. Simple tricks for creating a sense of space include using open shelving rather than wall cabinets, and making the most of hanging space – rails and hooks are an effective way to store pans and utensils, and foster the feel of an artfully curated country kitchen to boot. Merlin Wright, design director at Plain English, has several suggestions for small kitchen essentials: ‘Even a small island or peninsula can be useful, as they create a symbolic separation between kitchen and dining areas and allow the surface to be used from both sides. Combination ovens provide conventional heat and a microwave in one appliance, and induction hobs can double as a work surface when…

‘Layout is critical in a small bathroom, so work out exactly what you need and allocate the space to comfortably access everything,’ says James Lentaigne, creative director of Drummonds Bathrooms. Clutter will make it look smaller, so employ plenty of storage – think narrow cabinets and shallow, wall-mounted fittings. A heated towel rail is another great accessory – a multi-functional feature that takes up little room. Wetrooms and walk-in showers make good use of a small space too, though baths aren't out of the question: ‘If you want a free-standing bath, the slipper is an unsung hero with a smaller footprint than normal baths,’ says James. ‘Raised at one end to support your head and shoulders, it's rather like a reclining armchair and superbly relaxing.’ He also recommends playing with…

I am lucky to have a large and close family who have an interest in the arts. Some of my earliest memories are associated with my nana. As a Greek who grew up in China, her house was full of silk embroideries, watercolours and curiosities that reflected her upbringing and cultural heritage. If I had to pin it down to a single influence, this is what sparked my love of history and the sentimentality of objects. Aged 15, I did work experience at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers in Colchester and, through meeting people and learning about their interesting objects, I fell in love with auctions. I studied History of Art at the University of Warwick, which gave me a broad understanding of art from the Renaissance to the contemporary. During the…

Every picture, vintage chandelier and rustic confit pot tells a story in the elegant London home of Amanda Grant and her husband Kristian Dean. The inspiration for its eclectic European style can be traced back to Amanda's teenage years spent in Italy, and more than a decade of living and working in France for Kristian. This two-bedroom flat in a converted Georgian townhouse is the smallest home the couple has ever owned and they have used the space to distil their understanding of simple European style to its very essence, filling each room with an artful continental elegance. ‘We learnt to appreciate the French simplicity in interiors,’ Amanda explains. Bare plaster walls and neutral paint shades were the perfect backdrop against which the couple could display their beautiful and meaningful…

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SOLD FOR £2,150 A mahogany, brass-bound campaign chest, made c1875 by an unknown company. FOR SALE £4,750 A cavalry campaign chest (so-called because it was marketed to the smarter cavalry regiments) with additional escritoire. This example was sold by H Mawer & Stephenson in the late 1800s. SOLD FOR £8,650 This mahogany chest, c1825, is the earliest dateable campaign chest Sean has seen that conforms to what became the recognised design used subsequently by most British makers. In addition, it was owned by an important soldier of the East India Company, Lieutenant Colonel Garnham.…

THE GRAND BROCANTE AT GLEMHAM HALL When the sun shines, there's no better way to spend a midsummer Sunday than wandering through beautiful English parkland, perusing stalls at a brocante. On the outskirts of the pretty village of Little Glemham, just outside Woodbridge, stands the 16th-century country house Glemham Hall, surrounded by 300 acres of Suffolk parkland. You'll find the Grand Brocante on the grass in front of the house on Sunday 23rd June, when about 70 antique and vintage traders bring together a tempting display of furniture, mid-century modern, silver, jewellery, vintage clothing and accessories, vintage textiles, decorative garden pieces, architectural salvage and French vintage pieces. The Grand Brocante, Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Suffolk, IP13 0BT. ablackdogevent.com…

THE ANTIQUE Croquet sets The sun is high in the sky, the grass is mown low and the weather is hopefully clement – croquet, anyone? A century ago, croquet was a popular pastime in which friends and family, men and women, played as equals, striking balls with a mallet through a series of wrought-iron croquet hoops, aiming to be the first to hit the centre peg. Croquet derives from a venerable French game called jeu de mail, which was a version of billiards played on the ground. This in turn evolved into ‘pall-mall’ in England and ‘crooky’ in Ireland – bashing balls with wooden mallets in various competitive ways. In 1860, the first croquet club was founded in Worthing, West Sussex, and six years later, at the Great Exhibition of…

WISHLIST Fresh fabrics Fabric brand Fermoie specialises in simple, usable patterns in a rainbow of shades. Its use of colour isn't surprising, since founders Tom Helme and Martin Ephson are the brains behind Farrow & Ball. The latest collections for spring include Maple, inspired by the ancient woodland close to Fermoie's studio in Wiltshire, and Ticking, which is a contemporary reworking of the classic stripe. £170 per m. fermoie.com TAKE A SEAT Mother and son antiques duo, Val and Ed Foster, have turned their hands to design, and the OX9 dining chair is elegant result. The name is taken from the Oxfordshire postcode of their store, Foster & Gane, where the chair using English oak and horsehair. £POA. fosterandgane.com A rose by any other name To coincide with the opening…

When the earliest versions of the armillary sphere were developed by ancient astronomers, could they have imagined that many centuries later, evolved variations of their creations would be gracing gardens, parks and other outdoor spaces around the world? It's easy to see why the spheres are still popular – these miniature representations of celestial objects serve as astronomical devices within sculpted forms, all entwined with the rich history of planetary discovery. Today's armillary spheres often function as sundials for telling the time rather than a means of plotting the planets, and sculptor David Harber has long been a fan of the form – his armillary spheres are among his most iconic and in-demand works. ‘My interest was awakened when a friend brought an armillary sphere back from a trip to…

There's a plethora of ways to maximise the space in your living room – from using tables, stools and chairs that double as storage, to investing in foldable furniture that can be brought out when needed and stored away easily when not in use. Use soft furnishings and accessories to your advantage, too – Roman blinds take up less wall space and allow more natural light than a set of heavy curtains, and if you add a rug, make it large, as this will enhance the sense of space more effectively than a small one that can end up sitting awkwardly. ‘In a small living room, furniture placement is important,’ Sallie says. ‘It is tempting to push everything up against the wall, but try to leave a little space around…

A well-placed mirror in a dark or narrow hallway will not only maximise the light, but will also make the space appear much more generous. A heavytraffic area in most homes, this tight space is often further compromised as bags and other day-to-day accessories are cast off, littering hall stands, console tables and floor. It's easier said than done, but fitting in shoe storage, bag hooks and as much slimline storage as the space will allow, can make all the difference. ‘Use wall-hung furniture like a hallway tidy, so there is somewhere to store keys and post,’ suggests Sallie. A statement light will draw attention upwards, and provides a bold first impression that will distract from the size of the space.…

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The Fine Sale 26th & 27th June, Cheffins Cheffins’ Fine Sale is a much-anticipated quarterly event, and a mainstay of the Cambridge saleroom's auction calendar. The mammoth two-day summer sale offers up to 1,000 lots, covering periods from the 16th century to the mid 20th century. ‘Particular strengths are traditional paintings – everything from Old Masters to sporting pictures, and all kinds of fine antique furniture,’ says specialist Luke Bodalbhai. You'll also find a good range of ceramics, clocks, rugs, sculpture and Asian art to bid on, consigned to the seasonal sale for their craftsmanship and good quality. Estimates start at just £100, going up to £20,000, with star lots capable of making much more if several bidders lock horns. ‘Our Fine Sales have gone from strength to strength as today's…

Campaign furniture was specifically made for travel,’ explains dealer and specialist Sean Clarke. Most 200-year-old furniture will have had a relatively quiet existence, moving house only a handful of times. ‘But campaign furniture has lived a life,’ he says. ‘It's been places!’ In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the Napoleonic Wars, the American War of Independence, the Crimean War and other military campaigns necessitated long and arduous journeys. Along with the huge expansion of Empire, this created demand for sturdy, portable furniture of all kinds. In the late 1700s, campaign furniture looked very similar to the furniture you'd find in an elegant drawing room, but was more robust, with thicker timber or stronger joints, notes Sean: ‘It aimed to be fashionable, as much as portable. The first campaign chests,…

The Jacobite Steam Train Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig. For Harry Potter fans, the main event is its crossing of the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Hogwarts Express. Glenfinnan is also home to the imposing Jacobite monument, erected in 1815 to honour those who died fighting for the Stuart cause, and the train often stops at Glenfinnan station too, giving passengers a chance to visit its atmospheric Railway Museum. westcoastrailways.co.uk North Yorkshire Moors Railway If you've buffed up your knowledge of railway history with a visit to the National Railway Museum in York (railwaymuseum.org.uk),…

As a young girl, Clare was enchanted by flea markets and discovered that vintage and antique items held a special place in her heart. Later, she noticed a need in the south-west for a venue where people could find high-quality vintage and antique textiles, French brocante, and decorative antique items all under one roof. Thus, The Vintage Bazaar was born. Running for over a decade and hosting events in Frome, Somerset, and online, this June marks the launch of The Vintage Bazaar Brocante Jumble. What are your early memories of visiting antiques fairs? One of my earliest memories is searching for mourning jewellery as a young teen goth! I've always found the search so exciting and been thrilled by how much one can learn from the dealers. As I grew…

What first sparked your interest in antiques? I inherited lots of antique furniture from my grandparents and I attach huge sentimental value to all the antiques I own. I'm not one of those people who goes out every weekend to dig around for antiques, but I live near Lewes, where there are lots of antiques shops, and I'd always prefer to buy something old rather than new. Antiques are such a lovely addition to a home: they add depth and personality – they are like characters in their own right. I work in block printing, which is an ancient time-tested craft, but the fabrics I create are new, and homes need layers, so I often cover old chairs with my prints. I love pairing old and new in this way.…

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Whether it's a narrow hallway, a bijou living room or a tiny kitchen you're dealing with, small spaces are often seen as a challenge best avoided if you don't want to end up feeling cramped and overcrowded. But tackled the right way, small rooms can be just as stylish and characterful as larger spaces, and they're a great opportunity for a little creative lateral thinking. ‘The advice for small rooms is often to choose smaller furniture, but the key is to be selective with scale,’ says Sallie King, founder of Urbansize, which specialises in designing furniture for smaller spaces. ‘Keep your hero pieces big to maximise the function of the room: in a bedroom, choose the largest bed that will work in the space, and the same goes for the…

Fitted furniture is often a great solution for bedrooms, especially in awkward corners like under the eaves. By building storage into your specific space, you can really make the most of it. When it comes to the bed itself, you don't have to skimp on size, but it will help to create a feeling of space if you can see the floor area beneath it – a bed on legs will help with this, and also offers the opportunity to fit storage underneath. Charu Gandhi, founder of architectural interior designers, Elicyon, says, ‘Space-saving built-in shelves and floating nightstands are a great way of eliminating clutter in the bedroom while providing essential storage. Employing a unifying design theme and carefully selected decorative pieces will also add character to a room, without…

Buy Now Commemorative medals (19th-century) Peter Mason, Dawsons Commemorative medals and medallions (a medal worn as a pendant) are an intriguing prospect for collectors, with auction prices ranging from below £30 for single examples, up to several thousand pounds for rarer pieces. The 19th century saw a growth in production when they were issued as souvenirs for large events, and also as recognition for service in a non-military operation, such as science and industry. Valuable examples include some of those struck for the Great Exhibition of 1851, which were issued to exhibitors, competition judges or jurors, and visitors. Often in bronze, these medallions were designed by notable coin and medal engravers such as William Wyon (1795–1851) who produced many portraits of Queen Victoria, including one for her 18th birthday. An…

HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE Flora Jamieson's studio in Bridport, Dorset, may not actually be outside, but it's hard to imagine another space that does a better job of bringing the outside in. Wherever you look in her light and airy whitewashed workshop, it's a fleeting moment in nature that catches your eye. Here, for example, is a little wren that has just landed on a willow branch, where it has spied a juicy caterpillar. While over there sits a tiger moth on a hawkbit while a tiny ladybird creeps by. Elsewhere, there are frogs and dragonflies, lily pads and tangles of wildflowers, the familiar sights of any early summer stroll along a towpath in England, all captured on a piece of glass where Flora has painstakingly painted them. ‘To me,…

Few 19-year-olds are thinking about the property that will eventually become their own home later in life. But, luckily for Irish embroidery designer Jill De Búrca, her dad had the foresight to invest in a house for his daughter back in the early 2000s. ‘It was at a time when you could do that,’ says Jill, of her Dublin home. ‘But I never thought that I'd actually live in it!’ After a degree in textiles, Jill went to the UK to work on production for major fashion houses Erdem, Stella McCartney and Mary Katrantzou. ‘While it was amazing for learning skills, I wasn't designing – which is what I wanted to do,’ she says. A move from Brighton back to Dublin came in 2014 and her eponymous label, known for…

When kitchen and bathroom designer Nick Kenny moved from The Tin Church, an outstanding landmark building in Faversham, his friends waited with bated breath to see where he'd lay his hat next. They had to wait for nearly a year while Nick rented and sofa-surfed, storing his tools in his car, as he gradually worked his magic on this tiny 1930s terraced house. Over the course of the year, Nick scoured it back to brick to remove any sign of its past owners, which included a hoarder and his rodent lodgers. ‘I mourned my lovely church,’ says Nick, ‘but I was determined at least to replicate its most important asset: light.’ Not easy in a small two-up, two-down terrace, but with five roof lights that bring in light and sunshine…

What a complex relationship we have with the animal world, revolving as it does around love, respect and fear. Hardly surprising, then, to find textile patterns reflecting the different ways in which peoples have related to their native breeds. Fabrics tell us how animals and birds have been understood – in realistic and symbolic ways – and portrayed in almost every situation familiar to us today. Early British textiles featuring animals and birds were embroidered. Gentlewomen would use their needlework skills to decorate their furnishings to their personal taste – stitching designs for cushions, pillows, stools and, for the ambitious, chair covers and bedhangings. These embroideries depict animals individually or in companionable contexts, often in the countryside and hunting. Embroiderers’ favourite animals were dogs, deer, hares and rabbits, an occasional…

Quality and rarity affect value, but with campaign furniture other factors can also come into play. ‘Buyers can be more tolerant of damage when it adds to the character,’ says Sean. ‘Maybe the table leg was broken after it was carried for 500 miles on the back of the camel, then crudely repaired by a local blacksmith.’ From the 1950s to 1970s furniture was produced in a campaign style, and if buyers know they are buying a reproduction piece, and pay an appropriate price, that's not necessarily a problem, says Sean. ‘But they should be on the lookout for items that have been “enhanced” by an unscrupulous dealer: it might be authentic, but it's had extra brass carrying handles put on, which would never have been there.’ Furniture by good…

WHY I COLLECT “ There aren't very many dedicated millinery departments in British theatres, so I feel very privileged to be head of millinery and jewellery at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. I actually started hat-making by chance. In the early 2000s, my mum booked us both a place on a millinery course called Make a Hat in a Day, or something similar. It was just supposed to be a nice thing for us to do together as we're both creative types, but it turned out to be an epiphany for me. I'd recently finished a degree in Fine Art, and was looking for a creative career. I hadn't studied textiles at school, and it wasn't part of my degree course either, but I immediately became hooked on the…

Clara's Box Anita sells vintage fashion to international customers, including costume designers, via her Insta account and Etsy shop. The pieces she sources and sells are predominantly 1900 to 1940s, and current stock includes a selection of glamorous purses. We also adore the early 20th-century Ottoman silk organdie blouse with gold bullion embroidery, the 1940s sleeveless embroidered folk blouse, and the long-sleeved Victorian ruffled cotton nightdress. etsy.com/uk/shop/openclarasbox; @clarasboxuk Curious Orange As well as a bricks-and-mortar shop at Red Brick Market in Liverpool, selling her collection of vintage fashion, Kitty Ford has an Insta account and Etsy offering, and she also stands at fairs such as Clerkenwell. She has some fabulous pieces for the summer – several 1980s Laura Ashley jumpsuits (yes, please), and some seriously funky 1970s swimsuits. etsy.com/shop/CuriousOrangeVintage; @curiousorange_vintage_costume…