Our view from The Decorative Fair this week

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair takes place three times a year: Winter; Spring; and Autumn in Battersea Park, by the River Thames in a large marquee. It is a wonderful place to visit whether you are a buyer or a browser. The theme of the fair is more decorative than traditional and yet there are masterpieces of furniture, objets d’art and fine art on display, exhibited by more than one hundred dealers from all over the UK and Europe.

The Decorative Fair is incredibly popular with both private buyers and the interior decorator trade. Designers come to source eye-catchers and pivotal pieces for residential and commercial projects, taking advantage of the broad spectrum of styles on display. I have met some of my most loyal clients here and have even made my own interesting purchases!

This year, the centrepiece on our stand is a remarkable carved, painted rococo mirror, made circa 1860, in the manner of Thomas Johnson, arguably the most creative designer of the rococo period in English furniture history. The frame is completely asymmetrical: there is not one straight line to be seen. A ho-ho bird perches on the cresting above C-scrolls, icicles, rocks and a staircase. The mirror plates are backed with Mercury which has developed a deep magical sparkle over the years. I was very excited to discover this as I have always tried to inject an element of fantasy when designing our stand and I encourage clients to do the same when furnishing their homes.

There is a good availability of car parking in Battersea Park and a free shuttle bus runs from Sloane Square in nearby Chelsea every 15 minutes.

Find out more about The Decorative Fair here.

As ever, more of our stock can be found on our site.