Category: Uncategorized

On Saturday, 16th May 2015 Eridge Park and house, just south of Tunbridge Wells, will be hosting the 10th Decorative Living Fair with an array of marquees as well as stands in the house. I will be in the gallery of smaller marquees – hope to see you there. Eridge Park, Eridge Green, Kent TN3 […]

These console tables come from a team of museum-quality restorers who adapt old pieces to give them new life. The ochre and green finish is stunning. 109 cm wide at the back/ 72 cm wide at the front x 53.5 cm deep x 77 cm high. Price: £1595 for the pair.

These two large, heavy samovars (similar but not a pair) would have probably done service in an hotel. A pot of strong brewed tea was kept warm on the top and hot water added from the samovar. (Turkish tea needs stewing for at least twenty minutes.) A funnel inside transmits heat from charcoals beneath up through […]

The Bath Decorative Antiques Fair is on 6th to 8th March this year, 11am to 5pm. The Pavilion, Bath BA2 4EU www.bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk. I will have a stand there for the first time – so please come and say hello if you can make it.

Tricky as quicksilver, the year has all but slipped through our fingers. We can’t “tuck time under the bed, fix him tight inside a red satin box or string him like pearls”* but on a mid-winter night we might sit quiet in candlelight, gaze at gold and velvet baubles on the tree, and recall the spirit of those […]

Been having some technical hiccups, so apologies for no updates in the past week or so.  Hopefully all resolved.  Meanwhile, the stand at Station Mill is full of lovely items for Christmas  – ceramics, table linens, wine glasses, pictures, candlesticks, pewter ware, bundles of books, lace, 18th century notary documents.

It was a dismal morning, not yet light. The parking areas of the Parc des Expositions were full of muddy ruts. Vans were all over the place, backing up, wheels spinning. There were shouts and waving torches. No one could see much through rainy windows. Having reversed out of the scrum I found a spot […]

Oval serving platters, round and rectangular dishes, oyster plates, cheese strainers, soupieres and bowls from various French factories Limoges, Creil et Montereau, Luneville. Condition varies – some are perfect and some are just to look lovely on a shelf despite a chip or crack. Prices from £9 up to £70. Please visit Station Mill to […]

I am posting a new photo of this lovely painted chest of drawers to better show the amber-pink colour (painted in the 1950’s) with a creamy white trim. The handles were replaced mid century. It is a solid and charming piece, with ample storage. Price £795.

Thank you to everyone who came to the Decorative Living Fair at Chelsea Town Hall this month – it was a very good day. And to Jo Leevers (BLOG: “Decorative Love”) for her lovely review, a deep curtsey!

Signed oil on board of cottages in the dunes – northern France or Belgium. Silver gilt frame. 96 cm w x 71 cm H. Price: £345.

Buffet from the mountains of Le Massif Central. Very solid and rustic. New internal shelf and new plinth added. Original green and black paint on doors, and matched paint on rest of body. 98 cm H x 114 cm W x 44 cm D. Price £465.

UPDATE – If you are in London on October 2nd do come and say hello at the Decorative Living Fair in Chelsea Old Town Hall.

A serious young French girl, framed. 33cm x 41cm. Price: £95

Glazed pine tabernacle with raised upstand. One pane of original glass remaining. 74 cm high x 43 cm wide x 43 cm deep. Price: £320.

Many items at Station Mill Antiques will be reduced from Sunday, 8th January – do come over and have a look. Meanwhile, in her book “Napoleon and Josephine,” Evangeline Bruce shared an extraordinary and evocative description of Paris just after the uprising against Robespierre and the Reign of Terror. Paper money had fallen to one […]

The French Christmas greeting, “Joyeux Noel”, derives from “Joyeuses Nouvelles”, glad news or tidings. Sending you warmest Christmas greetings and appreciation. Thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support this year. Wishing you joy and comfort, Gilli .

French buffet in a grained grey finish with replacement locks and key. Two drawers beneath and one shelf inside. 140 cm wide x 101 cm high x 46 cm deep. £595.

If you’ve not been to Station Mill yet do come and have a look around.

French heavy oak panel with foxed oval mirror in original distressed chalky grey white paint. 93 cm wide x 103 cm high. Although old, the plate is not original to the surround. Price: £365.

18th century carved gilt wood frame. The glass has a slight bluey tinge. Contains a fragment of 18th century document. Price: £150.

I don’t necessarily read them, but I love to buy them, leaf through them, feel the gritty, rough printed paper, examine signatures and doodles, enjoy the type face and the little pictures at the end of chapters, find slips of paper inside. And consider that there were still kings in France back then.