THE LONDON BULLETIN

C'EST MERCREDI

By  Nan Mabon, 

The American owner of Antiques Resource, the enormously successful antique furniture and accessories sourcing and buying service in London for the past 17 years, is a weekly contributor to my blog; she has the most exquisite taste, she knows the London market thoroughly and will certainly dazzle us with her choices and reports from one of the most lively, most trendy cities in Europe. 

Three times a year The Decorative Antiques Fair, held  in Battersea Park in London has been an unmissable event for me.  

There are loads of antique fairs throughout the year in the UK but none equals this one for stylish stand design and inspirational and diverse selection of  stock at relatively sensible prices. Because of the economic woes of the last few years some dealers have elected not to do the fair and there has been a huge drop off in American trade buyers.  

The most recent Fair however, which ended on January 24th saw a big surge in buying as compared to last year at this time.  This is a formula that has worked for 25 years and it is exciting to see them moving into the next decade on such a positive note.
For future fair dates check out the website:  decorativefair 

1940's French ash commode

 A particularly interesting stand--clever juxtaposition of 18th century console with 50's garden table, spikey succulent plant contrasting with an artistic arrangement of goat's horns!

This stand illustrates the wonderful ecclectic mix of English formal and country with mid-century and provincial French pieces

5ft. high 19th C. English mirror recently bought from a country house in Sussex with French parchment covered books and a hanging  English oil lamp.

Photo from the Decorative Fair's September '09 entrance foyer exhibit, Best of British Design, classic late Victorian sofa covered in the British flag.

Orkney Island chair from the early 20th century. These have been made for hundreds of years on the islands off Northern Scotland; high straw backs are for warmth and to protect the sitter from the smoky peat fires.

images nan mabon

merci Nan, 
a mercredi

au revoir.