Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i Homes & Antiques

The trend for houseplants is one of my favourites of the year and, happily, it shows no sign of wilting as we move into summer. Find out how to create your own antiquesfilled, lush planthouse scheme on page 40, where we reveal ways to display everything from tropical palms to cute succulents in beautiful old planters. The contrast of fresh, living greenery against richly patinated pots is wonderful. Staying with the green theme, we discover the nature-inspired style movement of art nouveau (p96), step into Virginia Woolf’s inspirational garden (p94) and reveal how to shop (p132) and care for (p123) garden antiques. Moving inside, we take a tour of four gorgeous summery houses. From the relaxed French home of an antique and Islamic textiles specialist to the pattern-packed pad of…

New treasure explained Imagine my surprise and delight when, returning home from a short break away (with a ceramic bowl that I bought for its stunning colours and shape) I open up your May issue and find the beautiful ‘Wishlist – Peacock Parade’ feature. On it there is a plate by Janice Tchalenko with an identical design to my new bowl! I enclose the photos of my latest purchase and offer a big thank you to Homes & Antiques for providing me with details that I can now attribute to my new-found treasure. Well done H&A – keep up the good work. I always enjoy your magazine arriving on my doormat each month. Linda Murphey, Moray My favourite antique If I were to nominate an item to be one of…

Grab a copy of Are You Sitting Comfortably? and admire the extraordinary book covers designed by British artist and illustrator Edward Bawden. (£35, The Mainstone Press) Catch a glimpse behind the Iron Curtain at the bold and fascinating world of Soviet design. Explore magazines, posters, toys and technology. (£24.95, Phaidon) Designer and upcycler Max McMurdo reveals 20 creative projects to make in the open air this summer, from handmade lighting to quirky planters. (£20, Jacqui Small)…

As one of the founders of Secret Linen Store, my role is really broad. But, predominantly, I am responsible for our bed linen and bedding: designing it, sampling it and overseeing the production. During a typical day at our south-coast head office, I start at 8am with coffee (of course) and then catch up with our warehouse and customer service teams. I then check stock levels with our factories and I might discuss new online projects or product ideas with my business partner and sister, Harriet. Anything can inspire me, but I always love the colours found in nature. I also visit lots of trade shows and love shopping for clothes, which is often where I get ideas for colour combinations. I do look at trends, but try to tread…

What’s your background? After graduating in Weaving from Chelsea College of Arts, I worked as an assistant to Sid Bryan [founder of fashion knitwear brand Sibling]. Some pieces needed to be made for a fashion show and Sid asked me if I could hand crochet. I said ‘Yes!’ (even though I couldn’t) and had to phone my mum and ask her to teach me. After that, I was thrown in at the deep end, crocheting couture dresses for London Fashion Week. Can you tell us about your early designs? I always knew I was more interested in interiors than fashion and, after my time at Sibling, I set up a textile collective with four friends from university. We decided to show at a London trade fair, for which I made…

What sparked your interest in textiles? My initial passion was for Old Master paintings. I won a scholarship to study Art and Restoration in Venice and, while there, I saw many wonderful textiles. This is probably where it all started – think of all those fabulous silks and damasks in Veronese’s paintings. How did your business evolve? One of my earliest lightbulb moments regarding textiles was at the Coptic Museum in Cairo, where I saw a 4th-century Coptic textile. I was blown away by its age and beauty. Wherever I’ve travelled, I’ve collected carpets, kilims and ceramics. And after lots of travelling and many cups of very strong, sweet coffee, I’ve established sources of really high-quality suzanis. I mostly sell modern or recent examples, but they’re made in the traditional…

EXOTIC FLORALS The heady scent of tropical blooms hints at balmier climes. Frangipani candle, £55, Jo Loves. PURE & NATURAL Lavender, jasmine and Brazilian rosewood help to banish stress. Scent to De-Stress candle, £45, Neom. SENSUOUS AROMA Delicate florals fill the room with fragrance. True Grace Hyacinth reed diffuser, £36, House of Fraser. FINE BOUQUET Create an indulgent atmosphere with magnolia and peony. Spirit reed diffuser, £42, Kenneth Turner.…

1. THE PARIS MÉTRO, PARIS Hector Guimard designed ornate entrances to 141 Paris Métro stations. Using green ironwork and curvaceous plant-like designs, highlights include Porte Dauphine, Abbesses (pictured) and Crimée stations. ratp.fr/en 2. THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART, GLASGOW Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s largest commission, this building was constructed in two phases (1899 and 1909) and reflects the early and mature design talents of Mackintosh. Architectural Historian Dr Jonathan Foyle has likened the building to ‘a great ocean liner’. gsa.ac.uk 3. MUSÉE CARNAVALET, PARIS Head here to see the interior of Georges Fouquet’s ornate jewellery shop (formerly at 6 Rue Royale), designed by Alphonse Mucha. ‘Nature, I study it constantly, there is not a plant, a flower, a bit of life that is not full of suggestion,’ wrote Alphonse. carnavalet.paris.fr (NB…

Mrs Annabel Ridley decided to sell two paintings by marine painter William John Huggins at the Sworders Anniversary Sale, along with a silver salver that belonged to her ancestor Lord Hawke, former England and Yorkshire cricket captain, who played the game between 1881 and 1911. ‘When we bought our house in 1964, the two Huggins paintings came with it and had been on display there since the 1920s. The Lord Hawke silver salver has also been in my family for many years. Of course it’s hard to part with these things but it’s time for a change and I believe that the paintings and silver will have a greater chance to sell well thanks to the way in which Sworders markets its sales. ‘I’d never dealt with Sworders until this…

Claire Langley Antiques Percy’s Barn, Seaton Road, Harringworth, Northants, NN17 3AF. 01572 747316; clairelangleyantiques.co.uk English Salvage North Road, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0AB. 01568 616205; englishsalvage.co.uk Garden & Wood Dreamers Cottage, Little Haseley, Oxfordshire, OX44 7LH. 01844 279170; gardenandwood.co.uk Jardinique Old Park Farm, Abbey Road, Beech, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 4AP. 01420 560055; jardinique.co.uk LASSCO Three Pigeons London Road, Milton Common, Oxfordshire, OX9 2JN. 01844 277188; lassco.co.uk The Vintage Garden Co Penn House, Old London Road, Coldwaltham, nr Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1LF. 07828 814522; vintagegardenco.com…

STYLE SCHOOL This Lalique vase, patterned with pretty fish, is a stunning antique that finds itself very much on trend. COVER STAR Fallen in love with the chair on the cover? Me too. Look for a Black Forest chair like this beautiful example. EASTERN INSPIRATION Japanese woodblock prints inspired this Spot ‘n Arrow pattern – see how the designer uses it in her own home. MADE IN INDIA Bold colour and traditional Indian details combine in this decorative plate from Liberty London. MAKEOVER SHOW Not many antiques would suit the revamp this one received, but it worked for this unique tallboy.…

the FURNITURE SKARGAARDEN RESÖ COLLECTION Imagine settling down with a good book and a cool G&T on this pretty pastel-toned outdoor furniture. New from Scandi brand Skargaarden, the stackable Resö collection comes in five painterly shades and prices start from £379 for a shapely lounge table. houseology.com the EXHIBITION CEDRIC MORRIS AT THE GARDEN MUSEUM Don’t miss the chance to see Cedric Morris: Artist Plantsman , the first museum show of Morris’s botanical paintings in over 30 years. Merging his abilities as a gardener with his passion for painting, the works are wonderfully colourful and expressive. The exhibition runs until 22nd July. gardenmuseum.org.uk the SHOP BLUEBELLGRAY OPENS IN GLASGOW Now ready for business, Bluebellgray has opened its first bricks-and-mortar home along Glasgow’s bustling Hyndland Road. Visitors will be greeted with…

THOMAS CHIPPENDALE AT NOSTELL PRIORY Celebrate 300 years of Chippendale from 14th July. 01924 863892; nationaltrust.org.uk LUNA CINEMA Watch classic films at heritage venues including Stonor Park and Tonbridge Castle with these fun outdoor screenings.thelunacinema.com THE ENCHANTED GARDEN Until 7th October, see 90 paintings each exploring the beauty of traditional gardens. 0191 278 1611; laingartgallery.org.uk…

Faux flora large hanging succulent £148 , Design Vintage; botanical wall charts from £17.95each, HK Living (available at Woo Design). Antique Hungarian bench £280 , Rag & Bone. On bench: terracotta pots from £5£30 , Focus on the Past; potted faux Kalanchoe plant £35 , Rose & Grey; succulents from £7 , all Old Market Plants; brass mist sprayer £12.99 , Haws; cactus with red flower, stylist’s own; large faux floral cactus £55 , Rose & Grey; pruning scissors £16 , Wood & Meadow; Spiraled cereus cactus £16 , and Hoya carnosa £20 , both Old Market Plants. On floor: Euphorbia ingens £80 , Old Market Plants. Large green jug, location’s own, find similar at Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair. Large variegated Cheeseplant £149 , Wild Leaf. Wooden stool £25…

Check the bath carefully. Make sure the foot fixings on the tub’s underside are undamaged as they can’t be repaired. Choose your style. Single-ended baths around 1.7m (5ft 6in) long and double-ended French tubs are easiest to find. Before you go shopping, measure the space where you want the bath to stand. If you want tap holes, choose a bath that already has them in the number and position you need. An expert can fill unwanted tap holes but you can’t make new ones. Look at the exterior surface of a roll-top bath. It’s possible to sometimes sandblast the outside to give a fresh surface for painting. And you can have the feet nickel, chrome or gold-plated to match the brassware. If a bath’s feet are missing, proceed with caution.…

No running water, no bathroom, no heating, no drainage and only a primitive outdoor earth closet: most would agree these shortcomings don’t add up to the ideal country retreat. But, to Virginia Woolf, Monk’s House ‘was the mongrel that won my heart’, a sanctuary where she could write, live quietly with her husband Leonard and see friends, away from the demands of London life. ‘The story of the house is a domestic love story between Leonard and Virginia,’ explains Allison Pritchard, Operations Manager at the house, who has looked after it for the past six years. ‘In many ways they had a successful marriage and an equal partnership, and there’s a strong sense of that in the house still.’ The ancient weatherboarded brick and flint building was once three workers’…

1860 The Arts and Crafts movement begins, with the completion of Red House in Bexleyheath, designed by Philip Webb and William Morris. It was home to William and Jane Morris. 1861 Morris and friends set up interiors company Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co (later Morris & Co) producing English garden-themed fabrics and wallpapers. Strawberry Thief wallpaper, £65 per 10m roll, Morris & Co. 1870s Aestheticism – a movement that championed the belief that surrounding yourself with beautiful things was a reflection of the inner state of your soul – sets the scene for art nouveau to emerge. 1875 Arthur Lasenby Liberty opens his influential department store in London. He begins working with leading British designers in 1884, many of whom are leaders in the art nouveau movement. 1883 Arthur Heygate…

LONDON 1. Roseberys Fine Art Roseberys is a privately owned auction house operating at the heart of the fine art market for more than 25 years. Specialist sales include Asian and Islamic Arts, Modern and Contemporary Art and Design, Decorative Art, Fine Silver and Jewellery, Ceramics and much more. Roseberys’ team of world-renowned specialists also provide a wide range of art market services to clients, including valuations for insurance and probate. Forthcoming sales: Art & antiques – Saturday 2nd June Modern & contemporary, prints online – Friday 7th to Thursday 21st June 20th Century art & design – Tuesday 26th June 70/76 Knights Hill, London, SE27 0LF roseberys.co.uk 020 8761 2522 MIDLANDS 2. Midland Furniture Auctions Midland Furniture Auctions holds one of the UK’s biggest weekly furniture auctions every Wednesday…

History of Art graduate Amy spent three years working in a London gallery before joining Sworders eight years ago. She now leads the Picture department. Her job was to coordinate the paintings part of The Anniversary Sale, estimating and cataloguing each lot. ‘The works we’ll be offering in our Anniversary Sale cover four centuries and are traditional in style, primarily Old Master and Victorian paintings. There will be up to 150 pictures and our first consignments came in last year. There’s a pair of impressive paintings from the first half of the 19th century by British marine painter William John Huggins. The oil pictures depict a lifeboat rescue in heavy seas and, at over 130cm each, these remarkable works needed a sale with gravitas. Luckily, the vendor was happy to…

Frank has been at Sworders for 11 years, working for Phillips and Bonhams for 25 years before that, and is an integral part of the company. He and his team store lots safely as they come in, create room sets and displays for each sale, and ensure safe collection of goods after the auction has taken place. ‘I started out as a porter, then became a valuer and an operations manager. My father worked in a factory for 40 years pulling a lever and hated every minute of it. I thought that was very sad and vowed to enjoy my work – I’ve been in the auction business for 35 years and the thing I love most about it is that every day is different. ‘House contents sales where we…

Most old metal garden furniture is made either from cast or wrought iron. Cast-iron furniture, made by pouring molten iron into a mould, is brittle and fractures easily. Wrought-iron pieces, made by heating the iron and working it while it’s still hot with a hammer, is more malleable, less prone to fracture and generally more robust. Both types of furniture are vulnerable to corrosion if bare metal is left exposed to air and moisture. It’s also common to see accumulated layers of flaking paint concealing intricate decorative details, spoiling the visual impact. To keep metal furniture looking its best, you should strip old paint, sand away any rust, prime and apply a layer of new protective paint. If the piece dates from the early 19th century – especially if it…

NOVEL PIECE Vegetable-form tableware was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This 1700s cauliflower coffee pot was probably made by Wedgwood. Estimate £200-£400 EVER POPULAR Comfy and practical, Windsor or ‘comb-back’ chairs never go out of fashion. This one is made of elm and has a beautiful patina and mellow colour. Estimate £800-£1,200 HISTORIC HANDIWORK The sewing skills of girls 150 years ago never cease to amaze us. This sampler, dated 1848, features a rhyme with bird and flower decoration. Estimate £80-£120…

2-FOR-1 15th Adams Antiques Fair, Lindley Hall, The Royal Horticultural Hall, 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE. 10am-4.30pm. £4. 020 7254 4054; adamsantiquesfairs.com 2-FOR-1 19th-22nd Art & Antiques for Everyone Summer Fair, Hall 20, The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. 11am-6pm (closes 5pm Sunday). £16 (£12 advance). 0844 581 0827; antiquesforeveryone.co.uk 2-FOR-1 27th-29th Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, EH10 5EG. 10.30am-5pm. £5-£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 2-FOR-FREE 28th-29th Burford Antiques Fair, Burford School, Cheltenham Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PL. 10am-5pm. £3.50. 01886 833091; penman-fairs.co.uk Present this page at the fair to redeem offer. All dates subject to change. Please check with fair organiser before travelling.…

A Abode Living 01273 621116; abodeliving.co.uk Agapanthus Interiors at The Hoarde 0161 429 9710; thehoarde.com Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair 01636 702326; iacf.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Annie Sloan 01865 803168; anniesloan.com Anthropologie 020 7529 9800; anthropologie.eu Ateliercuriosa etsy.com/shop/ateliercuriosa August Interiors at Decorative Collective 07956 957431; decorativecollective.com B Balineum 020 7431 9364; balineum.co.uk Beyond Retro beyondretro.com Black By Design 01889 502716; black-by-design.co.uk Boeme Design 01483 217716; boeme.co.uk British Ceramic Tile 0845 618 7144; britishceramictile.com Burgett Langfield at Decorative Collective 07770 752762; decorativecollective.com Burlington Bathrooms 01322 473222; burlingtonbathrooms.com C Cath Kidston 0333 320 2663; cathkidston.com Chadder & Co 01342 823243; chadder.com Charles Edwards 020 7736 8490; charlesedwards.com Charleston Shop 01323 811626; charleston.org.uk Cole & Son 020 8442 8844; cole-and-son.com The Conran Shop 0344 848 4000; conranshop.co.uk Cox & Cox…

Jaine Bevan, stylist of the ‘Pots of Style’ photoshoot, page 40 Jaine has worked as an interiors and prop stylist for over 15 years. She likes nothing more than having a good rootle around a carboot sale or flea market in search of more bits and pieces to add to her ever-growing prop collection. ‘My favourite green space to explore is Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol. It’s a Victorian graveyard that practically backs onto my house. At 45 acres it’s a real hidden gem and I feel so lucky to have it on my doorstep.’ Dominique Corlett, writer of ‘Design Icon: Hang It All’, page 111 A freelance writer specialising in interiors, heritage, craft and design, Dominique has worked in magazines for 20 years and used to be…

DREAM IN COLOUR With longer days and balmy temperatures on the horizon, now is the time to bid farewell to the neutral tones of winter and invest in seasonal colour! The latest collection from Perch & Parrow is perfect for injecting pops of zing into your space. We’re particularly drawn to the sunny hue of this Lilo floor lamp, available for £105, and the fresh mint finish on this Paul armchair, from £550. 020 8629 1166; perchandparrow.com Floor Show Make a statement underfoot this season with a rug from the striking new range by Harlequin. Spanning painterly florals and bold geometrics, each design has been crafted to coordinate with existing Harlequin wallpapers. We love the deco-inspired chevrons on this Rhythm design – prices start from £415 for a…

WILL TAYLOR Step inside the colourful world of design author Will Taylor. Track his adventures in NYC and his renovation projects. @brightbazaar IGOR JOSIF Blogger Igor is based in Munich and Paris, and his feed is ripe with on-trend greenery and eclectic mid-century finds. @igorjosif JUDITH’S PLACE Packed with leafy plants and vintage Scandi furniture, Judith shows you how to create an attractive home on a budget. @judiths_place…

KEY: OLD / NEW…

The Owners Susan Deliss, textile dealer, fabric designer and occasional interior decorator (susandeliss.com) and Max Deliss, picture restorer, their children Al (14) and Gus (12), and lurcher, Bess. The Property An 18th-century country house in France. On the ground floor there is a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and utility room. Upstairs there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms. When a house appears to be ‘just right’ in a relaxed and comfortable way, you can be sure that plenty of thought and care has gone into its creation. Max and Susan Deliss’s house in Burgundy is no exception. Although rundown and neglected when they first viewed it 16 years ago, the property was exactly what the London-based couple were looking for: a year-round holiday home that they could restore and…

The Owners Ottoline de Vries, a furnishings designer (ottoline.nl), her husband Michiel van Soest, who works in property and their children, Caroline (10) and Tom (8). The House A 1930s semidetached house in north London. A hallway leads to a sitting room, kitchen, dining room and conservatory with a utility room and guest loo on the ground floor. Upstairs there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms with a guest bedroom on the top floor. A whistle-stop tour of Ottoline de Vries’ London home feels like plunging, head first, into a living swatch book of print and pattern. Mournful Kabuki actors gaze from lampshades, Victorian chairs hum in primary, Pop Art colours, over-scaled tulips cascade across a dining room wall. Like colourful bohemians gatecrashing a sedate garden party, unorthodox clashes of…

FEMININE FORM Inspired by Le Lierre (1901), by Alphonse Mucha, this elegant lady will look lovely on your walls. Alphonse Mucha Ivy tile, multicoloured on white, £7.15 per 152mm x 152mm tile, Original Style. originalstyle.com TULIP SHAPES An ornate wallpaper is perfect for bringing a touch of art nouveau elegance to an alcove. Lilja 5494, from the art nouveau-inspired Jubileum collection, shown in pink, £29 per 10m roll, BoråsTapeter. Available at wallpaperdirect.com GO GREEN Embrace a natural look with a cool, earthy green shade. Sage Green, £43.50 for 2.5l of Absolute Matt Emulsion, Little Greene. littlegreene.com RICH TONE Vibrant peacock-blue was ultra-fashionable in the art nouveau era. Provence, £19.95 for a litre of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan at Rigby & Mac. rigbyandmac.com…

Shades of Van Gogh A vibrant blind can be a simple – and practical – way to inject colour and pattern into your home. Celebrate one of the world’s most prestigious painters with this exclusive range from Bloc Blinds and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum. The design on these floral roller blinds has been taken from a series of paintings created by Van Gogh in the late 1880s, featuring painterly blossoms and buds. Available in four colours, including Almond Blossom Blue (right), prices start from £165 for a 99cm x 200cm dimout blind. 0800 107 5535; blocblinds.co.uk Practical Flooring Shapes and Sizes Designer Neisha Crosland has taken inspiration from the geometric shapes found in nature for these graphic vinyl floor tiles for Harvey Maria. Perfect for kitchens, this striking…

RETRO COLOUR POP A dark wall in green, grey or blue will best show off the original Hang It All colours. Place above a cabinet or console table to create a focal point, brightening up a hallway. Alexander Girard’s characterful wooden dolls for Vitra are the perfect accompaniment. RED ALERT In 2013 Vitra gave the Hang It All an update, producing it in three new colourways: white, green and, our favourite, red. This set’s tones are an ideal match for on-trend wall colour, blush. Display with other pieces on the red-pink-purple spectrum. DARK WOOD Try the stylish limited edition in walnut if you like the dark wood look. This is one of Vitra’s re-editions of the classic design. Pair with another Eames icon, the DAR chair, and a George Nelson…

James Pickup has been with Sworders for three years and is an auctioneer and valuer working across the Homes & Interiors department. As well as assessing many of the lots consigned to The Anniversary Sale, he is overseeing this special sale and will be one of the auctioneers on the day. Good Preparation ‘We began working on the sale around six months ago and consignments started to come in late last year. Typically for a sale such as this we would expect to gather in 500-800 lots and we’ve earmarked special pieces from our usual intake if they have the right look too. The focus has been on high-quality pieces, ideally the best of their kind and in good, original condition.›We cater for a range of tastes so we’re not…

COPELAND TWO-HANDLED VASE (£400-£600) The base of the porcelain gilded vase is inscribed ‘Copeland’s China, England’ and is made in ‘Goldsmith’ shape. The handles on the late 19th-century vase depict two swan’s heads. WILLIAM AND MARY WALNUT ARMCHAIR (£1,000-£1,500) Expect this late 17th-century armchair to be sought after by period furniture lovers and for the price to shoot up as a result. PORTRAIT MINIATURES (£3,000-£4,000) Paintings Specialist Amy Scanlon’s favourite lot in the sale, these five 18th›and 19th-century portrait miniatures, in an elaborately moulded and cut leather openwork frame, are quite unique.…

1. Rubber gloves 2. Goggles 3. Detergent 4. Sponge 5. Water 6. Steel brush 7. Lint-free towel 8. Wire wool 9. Sandpaper 10. Metal anti-corrosive primer 11. Metal paint 1 If the paint is in reasonable condition, start by giving the furniture a thorough wash with a sponge and warm soapy water. Use a fungicidal detergent if there is any evidence of algae. 2 Remove all loose flakes of paint with a steel brush or scraper and a sanding block, as necessary. Wash thoroughly again, then dry carefully with a lint-free towel, taking care that all crevices are completely dry before painting exposed spots with primer and the final paint top coat. 3 If the paint is in poor condition, use wire wool, a wire brush or paint stripper to…

FAIR DATES North & Scotland 1st Pedlar’s Corner Flea Market, Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S7 1FS. 10am-3pm. £1. sheffieldantiquesquarter.co.uk/carboot 7th Saltaire Record & Retro Fair, Caroline Social Club, Caroline Street, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, BD18 3JZ. 10am-3.30pm. 50p. 07933 671303; roseandbrownvintage.co.uk 8th Stately Home Charity Car Boot Sale, Sledmere Park, Sledmere, Driffield, Yorkshire, YO25 3XR. 9am-3pm. £3. 01377 236221; sledmerehouse.com/DB/events/stately 8th The Vintage Village, Stockport Covered Market Hall, Market Place, Stockport, SK1 1EU. 10am-4pm. £2. thevintagevillage.co.uk 21st-22nd The Great Seaside Vintage Fair, Whitby Pavilion, West Cliff, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3EN. 9.30am-4pm. £2. 07985 181120; whitbyevents.co.uk West & Wales 1st The Frome Independent – More Than a Market, Frome town centre, Somerset, BA11 2FH. 10am-3pm. Free. thefromeindependent.org.uk 1st Liberty Green Antiques Fair, Mold, Beaufort Park Hotel,…

The first items I ever bought were posters and pieces of pottery for my student digs. When I bought a small flat in my mid 20s, I was so excited to move in that I rushed to The Conran Shop and bought a huge sofa. But it was disastrously too big! It was eventually moved (with difficulty) to my studio, and it’s still working hard now. The oldest thing in my home is a small ammonite that I bought for my husband [illustrator Matthew Rice]. I was so thrilled to grapple with the idea of it being millions of years old. The newest thing in my home is a whole herd of Friesian cow skins that I bought for the floor of my design studio, which is a converted barn.…