Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2025 från Homes & Antiques

Even for those of us who love being home, there’s something about travel that stirs the imagination. More often than not, what stays with us the most aren’t the grand and famous monuments, but the quiet treasures found off the beaten track. A rustic painting, an intricate textile, a piece of pottery tucked into a carry-on – each souvenir tells a story, and slowly, our homes become custodians of collections from the far-flung places we’ve loved. This issue is a celebration of wanderlust. Each one of our homeowners have woven their travels into their surroundings; Michelle and Brett Farmer’s Bath apartment pairs Thai painted boxes with antique Burmese opium pipes (p48), while Laura and Stewart McKay have infused their Camber Sands home with the coastal charm of New England (p40).…

Picture this British craftsmanship, timeless design, and genuinely useful tools – it’s a hard combination to beat. The Roost offers a beautifully curated selection, enhanced by its clever Visualiser Tool that lets you preview pieces in your space before buying. Think of it as a one-stop shop for effortless style and smart decisions. theroost.com A flicker of summer Add a dash of whimsy to your mantelpiece with this folk art-inspired candlestick. Its painterly florals and sleek lines will brighten any surface. £40 each. fableandmirth.com STOP SCROLLING Introducing Parlour by Laura Stephens – a fresh homeware brand bringing personality and charm to modern interiors. At the heart of the collection is the Scroll Chair (£2,950), a statement piece defined by its graceful curves, generous proportions, and four vibrant colourways. Shown here…

We’re living in a fast-paced society, where instant gratification is the norm and automation is valued. It’s a challenging climate for traditional crafts, which require meticulous skills and intricate techniques, along with time, effort and expertise. Just this year, Royal Stafford pottery and watchmakers Loomes of Stamford are among the artisan businesses to have ceased trading – with Moorcroft narrowly avoiding a similar fate – all casualties of the tough conditions facing today’s craftspeople. Rising operational costs, lack of structured training and fierce competition are among the factors causing such businesses to fold – not to mention the fact that many practitioners of these crafts are older, and finding new, younger trainees and entrants to a craft can be difficult. This seems a bleak scenario for the UK’s craftspeople; it…

London-based jeweller and engraver Epona Smith is working on an exciting project. So exciting that she isn’t even allowed to reveal what it is. She has signed a non-disclosure agreement; all she can say is that the client is the Royal Family. More will be revealed in good time, but what’s clear is that Epona’s rare skills in working precious metals to create exquisite jewellery and art pieces have come to the notice of those in the highest places. It is no exaggeration to call Epona’s skills rare. She specialises in hand engraving, a technique dating to the 14th century in the UK, which is now classified as endangered by the Heritage Crafts Association. Epona first learnt the technique in Florence, Italy, where it had flourished during the Renaissance; she…

Craft lies at the heart of Jeanne de Kroon’s life and work. It’s evident in her company, Zazi, an ethical clothing brand which sees her collaborate with women’s collectives around the world to create handmade clothing. It also permeates her Amsterdam home, where antique textiles and vintage furniture are set against William Morris wallpapers and richly coloured walls, resulting in a space that reflects her appreciation for artisanal pieces. Jeanne discovered the house in 2022 after several disappointing viewings of characterless homes. Her search took a turn when she came across the Hendrick de Keyser Association: a group that preserve historic houses in the Netherlands. As well as acquiring and restoring notable buildings, the association also rents properties to vetted tenants. ‘Hendrick de Keyser told me that they had a…

The 4000-mile land route from China to the Mediterranean was named the ‘Silk Roads’ in 1877 by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen. His plural points out that this was not a single road but a crisscross of routes, with Chinese silk being the most traded product along them. The Silk Road began in fits and starts during China’s Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), when the Chinese responded to raids by tribesmen of the Mongolian steppes – who stole livestock and took slaves – by offering trading relationships around marriage alliances and gifts of their mysterious silk. China had plenty of silk to hand: it was women’s full-time task to tend silk moths’ cocoons, reel off the thousand metre thread each individual cocoon delivered, then spin, dye and weave it into…

‘I specialise in pearl and coloured gemstone testing, and first started working in a gem laboratory in 1980. I use an X-ray machine. Essentially, it’s the same technology used in hospitals but, to examine pearls, it’s set to a specific voltage and current. During the X-ray exam, I need to be able to lay the pearl on its side. That’s easy with a pearl necklace, but if the pearl is in a ring or a brooch, it might need to be taken out of the mount for access. I still use film, and develop the negative, but other labs have shifted to digital and they will examine the image on a screen. If the pearl is cultured, there will typically be a clear demarcation between the inner bead and the…

Sold for £32,000 1. Brontë discovery Estimate £15,000-£20,000 Sold £32,000+BP An evocative, delicate watercolour, The North Wind, came from the brush of free spirit Emily Brontë, author of Wuthering Heights and one-third of the world-famous Brontë Sisters. It was consigned to Forum Auctions’ Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper sale, and research revealed an interesting provenance. This painting dates from 1842, when Emily (then 24) and Charlotte (26) were enrolled in drawing lessons at a Brussels school, Pensionnat Heger. Emily may have left it behind or given it to the Hegers as a memento, but it stayed in the family for several generations before being gifted to someone else. Setting an estimate was a challenge, as the managing director of Forum, Rupert Powell, explains: ‘We found no auction records…

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express The world’s most famous train? Quite possibly. An experience of a lifetime? Most definitely. This monument of Art Deco glamour continues to spark the imagination, and guests today can experience its timeless allure via a tempting roster of European routes. There are 54 luxurious suites and cabins, each one awash with Deco details and singing with vintage charm. The historic pedigree even extends to the dining cars, which all date back to the 1920s – each was part of a historic rail service, and all were rescued and restored to join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. belmond.com The Britannic Explorer Debuting in July 2025, the first ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales is the latest venture from the luxe travel aficionados, Belmond. Featuring sleek accommodation, an on-board wellness…

1 Appley Hoare Appley has dealt in predominantly French antique furniture and pretty decorative pieces for over 20 years, first familiarising herself with the flea markets of Paris while studying there. Most of her pieces have that faded elegance we so adore about French antiques. appleyhoare.com @appleyhoareantiques 2 C'est Tout Interiors Kathryn McFall restored a magnificent old barn in Milton under Wychwood in the Cotswolds, and it’s now home to her brocante-style store, selling mainly French antiques. This place exudes a brocante atmosphere, with pieces stylishly displayed. Kathryn and her partner Steve regularly travel to France to source stock – follow their adventures and incredible Normandy château renovations online. @cesttoutinteriors 3 Chez Pluie Susannah and Hugh Cameron run Chez Pluie from their base in Provence, and are seasoned pros at creating a classic…

Breathe new life into overlooked corners of the home with joyful colours and playful patterns ‘Minimalism’ isn’t a word often associated with antiques. Architect Mies van der Rohe famously declared, ‘Less is more,’ to which predecessor Robert Venturi responded, ‘Less is bore.’ I suspect the latter may resonate more with many die-hard collectors… We often embrace a love of abundance when it comes to sourcing our treasures and collections, but is it possible to integrate this into a more maximalist aesthetic? With some mindful curation and an eye for categorisation, in my view, it’s entirely possible to showcase the pieces that bring you joy and create a pleasing, harmonious blend in the process. 1 JOYFUL COLLECTIONS The most personal place to start with a maximalist scheme is your existing catalogue. Whether…

‘My training is as an architect, but I was looking for a new path. I wanted to get into woodworking and thought a research project would be a good way to edge my way into it. I started carrying out detailed surveys on Fair Isle chairs, the traditional chairs of my island. Featuring a timber frame and a straw-work back, they were originally made of wood from shipwrecks and straw grown on family crofts. During my research, I discovered that my great grandfather was one of the last original Fair Isle chair makers in the 1930s, before Stewart Thomson revived the craft here in the 1990s. It also transpired that this straw work technique was critically endangered, and I resolved to help save it. The main challenge is to monetise…

High up in the lush Cévennes mountains of the Gard in the South of France, British-born couple Lou and Dan Sayers have painstakingly restored a 17th-century farmhouse that is full of unexpected surprises. Antiques collected from across the world – from Kenya to India – share space, unified by a natural colour palette and an elegant feel. Lou had a desire to see the world from a young age and, after training as a teacher, was posted to a Kenyan primary school where she fell for the ‘big skies, vast savannah, freedom and the wild landscapes.’ After leaving Africa in 2003, she and Dan moved back to England but felt a pull to return to a wilder way of life. ‘We visited family in the south of France and fell…

There’s something magical about pearls,’ thinks Matthew Thomas of Gatsby Jewellery. ‘They come from water, not the earth, which makes them unique among precious gems.’ Perhaps that’s why they’ve been an integral part of the human story for millennia, as symbols of beauty, wealth and power. Until the early 20th century, pearls were rarer and even more valuable than diamonds. In 1917, American railroad magnate Morton Plant swapped his grand five-storey New York mansion for a Cartier double-strand pearl necklace, which his beautiful new wife Maisie was infatuated with. Morton’s wealth was tied up in illiquid assets, so Cartier struck a deal to exchange the necklace and $100 for the Fifth Avenue residence. Only a few years later, the natural saltwater pearl market was decimated by the introduction of cultured…

A few years ago, we bought my father a sundial. It was a decent 18th-century style reproduction in lead – something he had wanted for a very long time – and then, inevitably, he asked me to help him set it up. After an initial search, I soon realised a bit of insider know-how was necessary. And, as it turns out, in order to guarantee an accurate reading, you must install it at a specific time, and to face a specific direction. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the genome (the shadow-casting pointer) must be facing True North, parallel with the Earth’s axis. Needless to say, you’ll want a compass to confirm this. According to Queens’ College, Cambridge, which boasts a 17th-century painted sundial on the wall of its quad,…

23rd Aug The Virtual Vintage Bazaar 10am-5pm @thevintagebazaarevents thevintagebazaar.co.uk HOW TO SHOP When the event opens at 10am on @thevintagebazaarevents Instagram account, dealers will be introduced one post at a time. All shoppers need to do is click through to the dealer and browse the stock they have posted on their own account. Message the dealer to buy an item and arrange postage and payment. You can also access all participating dealers during the fair by visiting the official website listed above. 7th Sept Behind The Door, Online Vintage and Antiques Fair 7pm-9pm, @behindthedoorvvf HOW TO SHOP Visit Instagram at 7pm, when the organiser @behindthedoorvvf will announce details of the sellers who will take part in the fair, including their Instagram handles (names). Click on a name to reach their accounts, then…

BUY NOW African weaponry If you’re looking for an accessible introduction to African art, functional objects such as traditional weapons make a compelling first purchase. Each object demonstrates not only extraordinary craftsmanship but also strong symbolic meaning. The late 19th century marked the golden age of this artistry, when African blacksmiths reached new heights of technical and creative skills. As firearms and imported materials were introduced, these weapons transitioned from tools of war to ceremonial regalia – emblems of authority used in rituals, dowries, or currency. Today, they are highly sought after for their rarity, cultural resonance, and sculptural presence. Each piece offers a story: one forged in iron and steeped in history. SELL NOW Fang statuary Pieces from certain cultural groups or regions and specific object types remain consistently…

Fabric Wallpaper Combine vertical stripes in a range of thicknesses for a cohesive look, then layer in unexpected ikat and chintz prints to deliver added punch. There’s no such thing as too much with this aesthetic…

Rattan furniture making Soane Britain Furniture maker Soane is the only active rattan weaving workshop in the UK. This almost extinct craft was rescued by co-founder Lulu Lytle, who established a dedicated workshop in Leicester in 2010 after learning that the last remaining rattan maker was sadly going into administration. Soane has revitalised the craft, and launched an apprenticeship scheme to pass skills onto future generations. soane.co.uk Orrery making Staines & Son Derek and Timothy Staines are masters of creating mechanical models representing the solar system. One orrery could take up to eight months to complete, depending on its complexity. ‘The most exciting part of orrery making is generating new ideas,’ says Tim. ‘These kernels of thought are eventually realised months, sometimes years, later. The design process is very rewarding.’…

Budget airlines love to charge extra for luggage, with pricing structures that can make checking in a suitcase almost as expensive as booking a seat. Consequently, this summer, lots of holidaymakers will carefully decant toiletries into tiny bottles and board the plane in several layers of clothing to avoid excess baggage fees. It’s a far cry from the romance of journeys once made by steamship. In the so-called golden age of travel, from the middle of the 19th century to the Second World War, a ship’s wealthiest passengers sailed the high seas with entire wardrobes of clothes, hats and accessories packed into elegant sets of bespoke luggage, along with the staff to look after it all. It’s this association with a bygone era of ultra-luxurious travel that makes antique luggage…

Pearls are very wearable, but they do need to be treated with respect, says Charlotte Peel, head of jewellery at the auction house Dreweatts. They are susceptible to damage and need to be kept away from hairspray, perfume and scented creams, which will cause discoloration, dull the lustre and even cause cracking or flaking. ‘They also need to be stored carefully, so they don’t dry out,’ she says. ‘Don’t be tempted to wrap them in cotton wool, which will draw out moisture over time. Keep them in a piece of silk or chamois leather instead.’ She adds that pearls need to be kept somewhere cool, not in a chest of drawers that backs onto a radiator. Pearls can even shatter, stresses Matthew Thomas from Gatsby Jewellery. ‘I heard of one…

‘The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, it seems like an awful waste of space,’ wrote the American astronomer and author Carl Sagan in his book, Contact. Ever since humans first huddled around fires, captivated by the night sky studded with stars, we’ve always wondered: what’s out there? The invention of the telescope in the 17th century shed some light, revealing craters on the moon and placing Earth within the vast Milky Way galaxy. Momentously, in 1969 we watched the crew of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission walk on the moon, and then started pondering with David Bowie in 1971: is there life on Mars? We haven’t walked on Mars yet, but the Hubble Space Telescope brings us ethereal pictures of this and the six other planets…

A beautifully handwritten note in one of the living rooms of Bluebell Farm gently asks guests not to open one particular window overlooking the walled front garden. Just outside, it explains, there’s a family of nesting birds who might accidentally fly in. Nestled down a country lane, beside a pretty Norman church and opposite a one-acre paddock, Bluebell Farm’s setting is perhaps as dreamy and – birdsong aside – as peaceful as the Devonshire countryside gets. The building may be Edwardian, but the décor has a calm, Scandi chic aesthetic, with painted furniture and monochrome tones. Most striking of all is the series of atmospheric seascapes by the owner’s artist daughter, Rose. Her works are no doubt inspired by the nearby coast – Bantham Beach and South Milton Sands are…