Indholdsfortegnelse for November 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 We've hit that time of year when daylight hours inch noticeably shorter, and I find myself drawn to flickering candles and pockets of warm light to brighten my evenings. As it turns out, nothing soothes a racing mind quite like being curled up in your favourite lamp-lit corner, which is lucky for me as my brain has been whirring a little louder than normal these past few weeks. In the likely event that you don't recognise me, I've recently taken up the mantle of this beautiful and much loved magazine, and the team have been working hard behind the scenes to simultaneously bring you this issue and bring me up to speed.…

Ever wished you could actually smell the scene depicted in a painting? Well now you can. This groundbreaking exhibition is the first in the UK to feature the unique AirParfum technology developed by Puig, the Spanish fashion and fragrance house. Two key paintings will be brought to olfactory life – Millais's The Blind Girl (1856) and Simeon Solomon's A Saint of the Eastern Church (1867-68). The Victorians believed that rainbows smelled like fresh, spring meadows, and in Millais's painting two children rest beneath a double rainbow. One of Puig's perfumes aims to evoke this scene with aromas of cut grass, spring flowers and other vegetation. In the first section of the show, meanwhile, the idea that scent could be a harbinger of physical and moral corruption is explored via Rossetti's…

Kitchen Function is vital in the kitchen, and spotlights or task lighting above an island or peninsula will help to brighten up areas where you need a good light for working. However, this is also a social space and, as such, lighting should be welcoming. ‘It is key not to simply be guided by functionality and task lighting, and to make sure you add in characterful, layered lighting to ensure your kitchen feels warm and inviting,’ says Hollie Moreland, creative director at David Hunt Lighting. ‘Pendants are a great way to add personality and will make a statement without compromising on space.’ Think about the materials too. ‘Our designs often feature marble elements that complement kitchen surfaces,’ says Michael Evesque, managing director of Bert Frank. ‘Or look to powder-coated accents…

‘I absolutely love looking around charity shops and car boot sales, because you find little pieces that you just don't get anywhere else’ At some point on a Saturday morning, after walking their two dogs up the big hill behind their house in Otley, West Yorkshire, Natalie Cullen and her husband Kieran Bentham will pop into the local charity shops to take a look at the bric-a-brac shelves. Over the years, shelves like these have proffered all manner of enticing pictures, objects and curios that these seasoned hunters of interesting decorative items have snapped up to display in their home. ‘I absolutely love looking around charity shops and car boot sales, because you find little pieces that you just don't get anywhere else,’ says Natalie, a civil servant with a…

Set on Deal's buzzing high street, which is well known for its independent retailers housed in period properties, S is an intriguing fashion store and an equally eclectic and visually thrilling home upstairs. It's clear that the owner of this Georgian apartment is a confident stylist – with a love of mixing things up. The property's unusually spacious proportions are the result of the amalgamation of two Georgian houses, one above Roni Lang's shop – called Mrs Lang – and the rest spreading over the top of the shop next door. This makes for a strikingly bright property with lots of walls and corners crying out to be embellished. ‘I was absolutely, utterly determined to move to Deal,’ Roni says. ‘I'd stayed with a friend and fallen in love with…

Fifth July 2024 was the hundredth anniversary of William Arthur Smith Benson's death. It passed with barely a mention, but people who are knowledgeable about the Arts and Crafts movement regard WAS Benson – as he tends to be known – as one of the most important designers of the period. He is celebrated particularly for his lighting, although this formed just a fraction of his total output. Trained initially as an architect, Benson became a prolific designer of many things – furniture, houses and interiors, textiles and wallpaper, and metalwork of all kinds, from fire guards to candlesticks. So why does his lighting get all the attention? Professor Ian Hamerton, a leading expert on Benson's life and work, says that in the late 19th century, Benson was designing ‘at…

What we now call ‘Black Forest’ wood carving actually originated in Switzerland, rather than the Black Forest in south-west Germany. Drawn to the spectacular scenery and clean mountain air, from the early 1800s increasing numbers of intrepid travellers visited the Swiss Alps. Skilled local wood carvers capitalised on the demand for souvenirs, producing everything from cuckoo clocks and pipe racks to benches and hallstands, often featuring forest creatures, both real and fantastical – from squirrels to gnomes. By the beginning of the 20th century, the region had become a major tourist destination, with hundreds of thousands of British tourists visiting the Alps each year, many of them on trans-European package tours organised by companies like Thomas Cook. The carving industry spread, and from the late 1800s southern Germany, as well…

1. Sent to China Estimate £120,000-£180,000 Sold £214,200 In the 17th and 18th centuries, gifts were presented to Indian and Chinese officials to facilitate Britain's trade with those two countries. These presents were known as ‘toys’ – attentiongrabbing and cleverly made objects such as this nècessaire encrusted with paste cabochon gems – nicknamed ‘sing-songs’ by the Chinese. ‘Toys’ were given in pairs to symbolise symmetry and good fortune, but this elaborate box sold at Christie's is a singleton – a small vanity case containing rock crystal cosmetic jars, manicure implements, a measuring spoon, and a watch just beneath the lid to satisfy the Chinese fascination with Western clocks. Isabelle CartierStone of Christie's takes up the story: ‘These wondrous objects became incredibly popular and were subsequently acquired by the Chinese Emperor…

MARKET OF THE MONTH The Dorset Brocante returns to the delightful setting of the Larmer Tree Gardens near Salisbury from 8th to 9th November for the festive Winter Brocante. There will be 40 vintage, artisan and French brocante stands located in the pretty halls and garden marquee laden with gorgeous antiques and gifts – a perfect opportunity to prepare for Christmas. To top it off, there will be fresh coffee and wood-fired pizzas served each day in the gardens. Winter Brocante, Larmer Tree Gardens, nr Salisbury, SP5 5PY. thedorsetbrocante.co.uk; @thedorsetbrocante…

THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME What first sparked your interest in antiques? I grew up in Rome, where it was a given – everywhere you look, you are surrounded by antiquity. My mother was also obsessed with going into bric-a-brac and junk shops, which rubbed off on me, having visited them with her from an early age. The beauty of Rome and going to flea markets definitely ignited my interest in antiques. Tell us about the first antique you bought. I think the first was a watercolour still life of some roses, which I bought in a flea market. It's nothing of great value – I just found it very charming, which certainly sparked my passion for collecting art. Can you share your biggest mistake in relation to antiques and…

It was her turn as Perdita in The Winter's Tale that brought Mary Robinson (c1756-1800) to the attention of the Prince of Wales, soon becoming his mistress. Long defined by her liaisons, Robinson was also a prolific writer and radical thinker, publishing works of poetry, novels, and political and feminist essays. For the first time, some of these works will be shown, alongside costumes, portraits and caricatures through which her reputation was shaped and ruined. ‘Mary Robinson might be the most famous woman you've never heard of,’ says curator Emma Yandle. ‘She was a great beauty and muse to the top society artists of the day, whilst simultaneously being savaged in the press for her romantic life. However, off the back of this infamy, she managed to forge a successful…

Talking Shop Domestic Science has three stores in the Cotswolds, all nestled in busy, picturesque towns. Our flagship store in Nailsworth is in a sprawling old silk mill in the town centre. It has fabulously large windows and spreads over three floors. The Tetbury shop is set in a Georgian townhouse over four floors, each room housing a different collection like a small department store. And our Stow-on-the-Wold shop, within the old stables of the adjacent Talbot pub, is a curated edit of our bestselling items, as it's a bit smaller than the others. Our ethos is to offer beautiful, timeless homewares that evoke a sense of nostalgia, often with a contemporary or playful twist. We meticulously curate our collections to feature unique products that you won't easily find elsewhere.…

The good news is that many vintage or antique lights have an inherently high quality. Skinflint salvages and restores vintage lights from the 1920s to the 1970s. ‘Because they were designed and manufactured before the concept of planned obsolescence, lights from these eras are made from high-quality raw materials that will last for years to come, rather than disposable plastics that we see in more modern designs,’ says director Chris Miller. When it comes to cleaning and handling delicate antique pieces, Daniel Fileman of lighting experts Fileman Antiques advises: ‘Be careful when changing bulbs not to over-tighten or push too hard on delicate candle arms, and always clean pieces gently.’ A soft cloth to gently dust your lights should be enough to keep them looking good, and don't use anything…

Is there anything more satisfying than gazing around your home, only for your eyes to alight on furnishings or accessories created by your own hand? Learning the skills to do so is not only a confidence-building, life-affirming process, it also makes it easy to introduce the colours, patterns and styles that you desire, with a unique piece that can't be found in a shop. Lampshades are one of the simplest but most striking household accessories to create by hand and, with a little expert tuition, anyone can make their own light covering. An online course is an excellent starting point if you'd like to learn the basics in your own time and space, and build your confidence that way. We love Chloe Jonason's masterclass via Create Academy (£97), in which…

‘The work on this house was more of a resurrection than a renovation,’ says Dapper De Wet, who owns this 164-year-old house in the hamlet of Philadelphia, near Cape Town. ‘We live in a throwaway culture where new and fashionable designer pieces are desirable. I wanted to take the opposite approach here: I didn't buy anything new for the house. Everything has come from my childhood farm or my travels.’ The Victorian-era house, part of which was being operated as a general store, was bought on a whim five years ago. The pandemic propelled Dapper's plans to relocate from Singapore, presenting an opportunity to transform the building while living in it. He gradually drew out the house's full potential, first converting a tractor shed into a rustic, barn-like wing, and…

Germany has a tradition of producing colourfully painted soldier nutcrackers, which have become emblems of Christmas. It's not clear precisely when they were first made, or why – were they intended to poke fun at the military, or were they good luck charms? But in the early 1800s figural nutcrackers were being sold in German Christmas markets. It was one of these soldier nutcrackers that inspired ETA Hoffmann's novella, Nussknacker und Mausekönig, the story on which Tchaikovsky's 1892 The Nutcracker ballet is based. The ballet's depiction of a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve has certainly played a part in them becoming seasonal icons. The commercial production of soldier nutcrackers actually predates the ballet, as from the 1870s they were being made at scale…

The American Bar The ne plus ultra of classic cocktail bars, if you fancy wetting your whistle with a King's Cobbler or a Dandy Beau, the American Bar at The Savoy Hotel lives up to expectations. It opened in 1893 and is still going strong over 130 years later, making it the longest-surviving cocktail bar in London, thanks in part to a timelessly glamorous Art Deco interior and a roster of devoted bartenders. An alchemic ability to gently update the recipes in its Savoy Cocktail Book – originally written by bartender Harry Craddock in 1930 – has no doubt played a part, too. thesavoylondon.com Dukes Bar The magic at Dukes Bar is not in its (whisper it) slightly corporate decor, but in the understated pizzazz of legendary bartender Alessandro Palazzi.…

Capsule collection John Lewis has teamed up with the curated shopping platform, Collagerie, to create a homeware edit that's bursting with colour, texture and pattern. The new collection exemplifies heritage designs with a twist. Ikat stripe tablecloth, £45, and Bardi rattan pendant, £369. johnlewis.com…

Fabric Wallpaper Enrobe your sitting room or snug with tactile materials from floor to ceiling. Use rich russet, olive and mustard tones for a deliciously warming and enveloping aesthetic Autumn DAYS This season, embrace nature's jewel-like hues to bring warmth and comfort to your interiors…

Mid-century design is typified by its clean lines and geometric shapes and, when it comes to lighting, these elements make for an appealing effect. The Hyde collection from David Hunt Lighting is a perfect example of this aesthetic, encompassing table lamps, wall lights and pendants in seven sizes, going all the way up to the striking Hyde 42, composed of 42 lights within hand-spun metal shades. ‘We first launched the Hyde collection in 2017,’ explains Hollie Moreland, creative director at David Hunt Lighting. ‘Inspired by the structural simplicity of mid-century design, it proved to be an instant design classic and firm customer favourite. Its distinctive mid-century cowls and elegant, minimal frame make it an incredibly versatile fitting, suited to both contemporary and more period properties.’ The Hyde 42 is crafted…

London-based woodturner and artist Darren Appiagyei is in a phase of creative evolution. Or, as he puts it with a smile, ‘working on my third album’. Having achieved considerable success with his asymmetrical, appealingly raw banksia nut vessels (his first album), he decided in recent years to stop making them, for environmental reasons. ‘You can only source banksia from Australia,’ explains Darren. ‘I want to have a sustainable practice, and the amount of air-miles just didn't sit right with me.’ While the reasons might be justified, it was a brave move. The banksia pieces were carving out a reputation for Darren in a highly competitive space, having been acquired for the permanent collections of the Crafts Council and the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), and shown in leading exhibitions…

Many of us will have found ourselves working from home over the past few years with varying degrees of success. But painter Guy and ceramicist Lucy Rutter have achieved this fine balance in perfect harmony. Flooded with light, with high-ceilinged rooms, their mid-Victorian house with Georgian proportions in Faversham, Kent stands proud among its two-up-two-down terraced neighbours. Next door is an industrial building with a complicated history: originally a stable, then a woodworks making conductors’ batons, eventually a mineral-water factory and now the perfect studio for Lucy and Guy. As artists, their passion for texture, colour and form is reflected in both their work and interior decoration, and each inspires the other. Lucy's pared-back, functional pottery and Guy's delicate geometric canvases cohabit in style. Their lifestyle is the ultimate template…

For centuries, tapestries insulated walls in cold, damp, medieval castles and great houses, while the scenes woven into them delivered a feast for the eyes. This alliance of increased comfort with engaging visual backdrop was only within the purse of monarchs and nobility. As most had more than one residence these ‘hangings’, as they were known, could be taken down, folded up and transported to the next venue with other household effects. Architect Le Corbusier summed up their appeal when he called tapestries ‘nomadic murals’. Tapestries were woven in workshops and required a moneyed patron to commission one, sometimes a merchant to deal with contract issues, an artist to create the design, and skilled weavers to produce it. Flanders, in what is now Belgium, was first to come to prominence…