Innholdsfortegnelse for Auction Special 2020 i Homes & Antiques

Before Christmas, a small team of us hopped into a van and headed to Clevedon Salerooms, a short drive from our Bristol office. There were mince pies and mulled wine on offer, but we were on a mission – so just the one glass, then… We needed beautiful bargains to create a photoshoot around. For just over £500, we filled our van with lots, affirming my belief that regional salesrooms offer amazing value for money without sacrificing on quality. First-time bidder Sophie Hannam reveals more about the sale in ‘ Style for a Song’ from page 49. Elsewhere in this Auction Special, Caroline Wheater reports on the big trends affecting hammer prices, according to those on the podium. Take a look at what’s hot this year on page 86, and…

It’s a wrap! I received this month’s edition of Homes & Antiques and was very impressed that it arrived in a 100 per cent recyclable paper wrap. Packaging is so important to me, as we continue to move into the online realm. The need for responsible packaging is essential. On more than one occasion, I have tried to provide encouraging feedback on items I have received that have been grossly over-packaged, along with the irresponsible use of plastic, inside and out. Homes & Antiques however, has demonstrated a willingness to span the globe in what is clearly a responsible look to the future. I know we have the ability to enjoy your magazine online, but there is nothing like having the real thing in your hands. Keeping past practice going…

‘I love the kind of auction where there are fishing rods, golf clubs and a Robin Day chair among them.’ Right, so, I’m at this auction in Wolverhampton, and there’s a lot that’s made up of three boring white bedside cabinets and an ordinary-looking plywood chair. But I know that chair is treasure; it’s an original Robin Day Hillestak. The auctioneer opens the bidding at £3.50. While thinking to myself, ‘Are you for real?’ I calmly raise my hand. Someone else bids £4, then I’m in for £4.50 – and I’m expecting this to rocket at any moment – but it continues to go up by 50p at a time! At £7, the lady I’m bidding against says, ‘No.’ ‘£7 once, £7 twice...’ – surely someone’s going to jump in…

Leigh-Anne Treadwell from Bristol Upholstery Collective brought our beautiful Edwardian chairs into the next chapter of their lives. ‘Old chairs have spirit,’ she muses. ‘But more than that, antique and vintage furniture is well made, with strong frames that can withstand the restoration process time and time again. These three were very worthy and the fabric, delicious!’ So how much should we expect to pay to reupholster a dining chair? ‘Prices range depending on the work needed but, on average, pin cushion top seats cost £95-£150 each.’…

The fall-front secretaire or desk has as many names as it does forms. Often called a ‘secretary’ in America, it can also simply be a ‘writing cabinet’, and the French term ‘secrétaire à abattant’, translating as a ‘drop-leaf desk’, is regularly used by antiques dealers and auction rooms. All describe an upright cabinet with drawers or doors in the base, below a flap-down writing platform disguising pigeon holes and small drawers for hiding treasures. The fall-front secretaire has its origins in the desk, or bureau, and is derived from the Renaissance writing cabinet. The fall-front style was originally realised as a cabinet placed on an open stand or table. Those which incorporated a chest or drawers to the base became fashionable during the 18th century, being in production from around…

Size matters: While you don’t want a massive sofa in a tiny space, you do want a sofa that’s roomy enough to relax on. So measure up to ensure the fit is right for both the space and how you live. When it comes to shape, think about the look you’re going for, the design of the room, and how you use a sofa. Do you lie out on it or do you want support? Will it fit the whole family? It’s important to understand how you will use the sofa and match the design aspects to this. Price and construction: Sofas are normally filled with foam, fibre or feathers, or a combination of these. While I love feather-filled sofa cushions, they do require regular plumping! The frame of the…

From the medieval period, a box containing a lock and latch, known as a rim lock, was mounted on the surface of the door. Often highly ornate, these are not the most secure, and today should be used in conjunction with other locks. Early 18th-century door knockers were often plain and made from cast iron painted black. Elaborate knockers took hold in the late 18th century: lion’s heads, urns, sphinxes and dolphins cast in brass or bronze featured on fashionable front doors. Pre-1840 doors did not have letter plates – these were introduced after the advent of the Penny Post. Door knockers declined in popularity from the early 20th century, when the electric doorbell became the norm. Mass-produced reproduction brass ironmongery is often lacquered, so it won’t soften with age.…

When buying a Fornasetti Sole chair, Holly Johnson says buyers must be careful they know which period they are buying, as the age of the chair hugely affects the price. ‘For instance, you could pay about £18,000 for a 1950s example and £5,000 for one made in the 1980s,’ she says. ‘The early ones are very hard to get hold of. Only an experienced Fornasetti dealer will be able to age the chair properly, as none of Piero’s works were marked with a date in his lifetime. A good dealer has a way of knowing what the date of a piece is.’ After taking on the business in 1988, Piero’s son Barnaba began to put dates on works produced by the atelier. A new sun chair issued by Fornasetti today…

ELGIN MARBLES This famous frieze dates from c500BC and was made in Pentelic marble by Phidias. The sculptures were taken from the Parthenon in Athens in 1803. APOLLO & DAPHNE Bernini was able to imbue an unprecedented sense of movement, dimension and emotion in this life-sized work of 1622. BUST OF PEACE Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova was known for his exquisite refinement. The 1814 work Bust of Peace sold in 2018 at Sotheby’s for well over £5m. THE KISS After an apprenticeship with Rodin, Brancusi reinvented sculpture for the 20th century. He inspired artists from Picasso to Barbara Hepworth.…

ANTHONY OUTRED 74 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8LS. 020 7730 7948; outred.co.uk ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE Taddington Manor, Taddington, Nr Cutsdean, Gloucestershire, GL54 5RY. 01386 584414; architectural-heritage.co.uk FINCH & CO Suite No 744, 2 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3DQ. 020 7689 7500; finch-and-co.co.uk LORFORDS 30 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8AQ. 01666 505111; lorfordsantiques.com TOMASSO BROTHERS Bardon Hall, Weetwood Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 8HJ. 0113 275 5545; tomassobrothers.co.uk TOP One of a pair of marble busts of Apollo, £7,437, Lorfords.…

What is your background? I grew up in Sandwich on the Kent coast and studied history at university. I spent my summer holidays working on cross-channel ferries from Dover and Folkestone. Interestingly, my ancestors were shipbuilders in the 18th century. I started at Christie’s as a porter, and worked my way up to become head of the maritime and transport department. When and why did you open your own auction house? After 12 years at Christie’s I decided to open my own auction house specialising in maritime antiques. I held my first sale in July 2008. We now hold two high-quality catalogue auctions a year, selling around 300 lots. We prepare our sales at our premises on Imperial Road in Fulham, photographing and researching the objects, and then hold our…

ARTIST RESIDENCE, Brighton, Bristol, London, Cornwall & Oxfordshire ‘Antiques provide a unique character to our spaces. The pieces we tend to go for are rough and ready, rather than polished artefacts.’ Having already created a small dynasty of cosy boutique hotels (Brighton, London, Oxfordshire and Penzance) the latest location on the Artist Residence hit list is Bristol, with a brand new artisan escape due to open later on this year. The walls in every AR property are a talking point, and brand founders Justin and Charlotte Salisbury begin each project by collaborating with their favourite local and national artists, to create unique artworks for each space. They’re equally drawn to period properties, so create interiors that are sensitive to the building’s history, while still feeling welcoming and homely. After ‘accidentally…

‘We wanted The Rose to feel like an extension of our own home. [Alex co-owns the hotel with her husband, Chris]. I think that it’s personal, fun and considered. ‘Antiques are everything! Without them the place would feel standard and boring. I sourced pieces from Criterion Auctioneers in Islington. It’s close to where I live, so I could actually go and see the pieces before bidding and, if I won the item, take it home there and then. It was all so refreshing compared to bidding online. ‘The hand-painted dressing table in Room Three was the first piece I bought for the hotel. It set the tone for finding items that had character and a story to them. There was a set of velvet 60s dining chairs from Heal’s that…

HAMMER HIGHLIGHTS This William De Morgan vase is a prime example of a type of pottery that is soaring at auction. FALLING FOR YOU Fall-front secretaires are so underrated at the moment – this intricate 19th-century example sold for just £550. GILDED THRONE This is my favourite of the golden treasures that sold at auction recently – I love the lion paw feet. KNOCK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN Sadly, this 19th-century sphinx would not tie in with my Thirties door, but I do love it! PAINTER’S PORTRAIT This mini portrayal of artist William Holman Hunt was painted after his death by Edward Robert Hughes.…

Gone full circle This longcase clock was presented to Robert and Sarah Studholme over 250 years ago in 1766, presumably to commemorate their wedding. Amazingly, it’s found its way back to their great-great-great-grandnephew – my husband, who is an antique and longcase clock restorer. Four years ago, a local dealer brought him a very neglected brass clock face. While cleaning it, he realised that Studholme was his grandmother’s maiden name. We dug into the family tree and, sure enough, Robert Studholme had married Sarah Charles and had six children. We don’t know where it’s been for the last 250 years, but now it stands happily ticking and chiming, ready to be passed, along with its history, down the family. Christine Nuttall, via email DO YOU HAVE AN ANTIQUE WITH A…

Face value Portraits have adorned our walls since the ancient Egyptians depicted rulers and deities. This new range of limited-edition prints by Michaela Gall celebrates the world’s most iconic figures, from Bess of Hardwick to Picasso. We are enraptured by this striking profile of ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, £110. theshopfloorproject.com Make it personal Kitchens are inherently sociable spaces, so it’s important that the design you choose reflects your unique style and personality. This year, Canterbury-based Herringbone Kitchens has launched a new modular design with interiors expert Abigail Ahern, so you can create your perfect kitchen for a fraction of the price. Cabinets start from £255, are made from sustainable materials and can be painted any colour. 01227 638066; herringbonekitchens.com ORIENTAL GEMS A pair of early 18th-century chairs caused a flurry…

Alison Snowdon of Fieldings on why you should cash in… The prices for bold, abstract art deco ceramics designed by Susie Cooper have gained momentum at auction. Cooper was revolutionary – one of the first female pottery designers whose name was included on backstamps – she opened her own factory in Stoke-on-Trent in 1929. Pieces made at Gray’s Pottery and for Susie Cooper Productions in patterns such as Moon and Mountains, Cubist and Geometric are sought after. This 1930s Geometric wall charger (top) sold for £750 (est £150-£200) recently, while two Gray’s Pottery dishes made £200.…

KEY: OLD / NEW…

Thomas is a member of organisations such as The Art Workers’ Guild and he has expressed how supportive they are of his work. ‘Without a doubt, Thomas is a unique modern master – using traditional methods to the very highest of standards,’ says Andrew. ‘When I first saw his work, it took me back to initially seeing the Taj Mahal. The design flair, balance and rhythm in the choice of colour and material; the joy and life in the work; and the exquisite execution, set Thomas’s pieces apart. I have never come across anyone else like him and this quality and craftsmanship will always be sought after.’…

1. You have to know how much you want to spend before bidding starts, and be strict. I learned first-hand that you can get carried away with the competition of the sale! 2. The sale preview is essential. You can properly gauge the quality of the items you’re interested in and we found some amazing pieces that I had flicked past in the catalogue. 3. The buyer’s premium and VAT make a huge difference to the final price you pay. 4. If it’s winter, bring a coat! The room was on the cool side, and as I spent so much time sitting still waiting for my lots, I was pretty chilly.…

Georgian and Regency fall-front secretaires sell for around £1,000-£2,000 at auction. In general, 18th-century examples make more than 19th-century ones. Traditional, continental examples from the 1800s can be purchased for as little as £300 upwards at auction. For pieces by the top makers, such as Thomas Chippendale, the sky’s the limit, with examples selling for six-figure sums and above. For something more affordable, seek out French designer René Prou’s art deco secretaires, which offer a stylish alternative to classic antique designs, and can be purchased at auction from around £800 upwards. Mid-century fall-front desks can be bought for £500-£900 plus. For a contemporary take on the secretaire, featuring traditional woods and brasses, American designer Thomas O’Brien’s ‘Hallings Secretary’ is available at Century Furniture for $7,198.…

With hundreds of sales happening around the country every month, auction houses offer every conceivable antique and vintage item. From early Worcester porcelain and Bristol Blue decanters, to Scottish silver bullet teapots and Victorian Paisley shawls, there’s huge variety to choose from among the panoply of home furnishings, pictures, textiles, decorative arts, and jewellery and watches up for auction. There are prices to suit every pocket too, at a weekly local sale you might pick up a silver trinket for £20 or £40, while at a quarterly ‘Fine’ sale, held at a leading regional salesroom, high-quality antiques will go for thousands of pounds. Then there’s the drama of the bidding, online or in person, to enjoy. Last year, with the Brexit cloud hanging over us, the housing market slowed a…

Piero Fornasetti was born in Milan in 1913 and, from an early age, he started to draw. Much to his accountant father’s displeasure, he yearned to be an artist and enrolled at Milan’s Brera Academy in 1930 to study drawing. He was expelled for insubordination in 1932 and instead taught himself lithography and etching. He spent days reading magazines and books on arts and science, and enrolled in night classes at Castello Sforzesco in Milan. In 1933 he exhibited his first artwork at the University of Milan and produced a series of printed silk scarves that caught the eye of architect and designer Gio Ponti. The two men collaborated on various projects and combined Ponti’s signature angular forms with Fornasetti’s witty and whimsical motifs. Fornasetti’s success reached its peak in…

Thanks to the enormous diversity in the supply of marble, the large number of quarries around the world and the continued interest in using the material for sculpture, architecture and domestic decor, marble will continue to be as popular as it has been for centuries. ‘Many interesting new stones are being quarried across the globe, including Africa, the Middle East and China, so I expect that sculptors will be looking to exploit the vibrant colours of these marbles in the future,’ says Charlotte Schelling. One such sculptor, Emily Young, who was described by the Financial Times as ‘Britain’s greatest living stone sculptor’, works with marble in a way that celebrates its natural origins and imperfections. Faces are carved into huge blocks while the remaining stone is left raw, rugged and…

Off to the opera I have a pair of opera glasses that belonged to my late father. I know nothing about them, or where they have come from, but I have always admired them. I would like to know anything at all about them, and perhaps if they are worth anything. Rosemary Machin, via email These opera glasses c1900s are made from mother of pearl and have a chrome-plated body. The mother of pearl indicates that they would have been used in the evening at the theatre and would have come in a velvet or leather case. Examples such as this could have been made in Paris or London by a company such as Negretti & Zambra. Sometimes the maker’s name is marked around the eye pieces. Although they look…

SWEET TWEET Tiles are so collectable, not taking up too much space but always telling a story. This Dutch Delft example, c1640-60, is daintily hand-painted. Estimate £120-£180 LITTLE CHARMER From the age of servitude trots this silver pig table bell, 1909, sold by Asprey. Pushing the snout or the tail activates a chime to alert a servant. Estimate £2,000-£3,000 INSIDE CHINA This set of 12 19th-century Chinese paintings on rice paper (10 in an album, two framed) shows a Mandarin man and his family going about daily life. Estimate £600-£800…

Hot on the heels of last year’s blockbuster miniatures exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, which has kickstarted a revival in the art form, comes an entire auction dedicated to the subject. On 25th March, Chiswick Auctions will sell 160 portrait miniatures in its first sale focusing purely on these tiny and intimate images. Suzanne Zack, head of sale and specialist in portrait miniatures at Chiswick, has specialised in the field for over 20 years and has introduced miniatures sales to the auction house since joining three years ago. She is thrilled this dedicated sale includes The Comerford Collection. ‘John and Pauline Comerford began collecting in the 1970s,’ she says. ‘They descended from the Irish miniaturist John Comerford (c1770-1832), which sparked their fascination in the field. They started with works…

‘Antiques provide a unique character to our spaces. The pieces we tend to go for are the ones that are rough and ready, rather than polished artefacts. We go to Lots Road Auctions and salvage yards to source a lot of antiques for the hotels. Don’t underestimate eBay – some of our best finds have come from that online auction giant! ‘We like to buy at auction because you never know what you’re going to find – there’s always an element of surprise. It’s important to keep check on your emotions and think practically when bidding, as it’s easy to get caught up in the sentimental aspect of buying furniture. Our home has turned into a store room for the hotels, as we’ve let our excitement run away with us.…

‘We’ve always worked with historic buildings [Georgie co-owns hotel group Country Creatures with her husband, Sam] so we have continually tried to retain the character of the properties. Antiques and vintage pieces have a story to tell and have often been passed down through generations. Every piece I buy, I love. I’m not very good at functional – I buy pieces purely because they are beautiful. ‘We have bought lots of antiques from auction houses such as Christie’s, where my sister used to work. Now, I tend to buy at local auctions so I can see the pieces first. I usually go to Moore Allen or Stroud Auctions. I’m terrible at buying at auction – I’m sure I always overpay! But I think if you love the piece, then just…

Theodora Burrell wrote ‘Focus on Fall-front Secretaires’ Theodora is a specialist in glass, ceramics and works of art and has been at Lyon & Turnbull since 2011. She joined the Antiques Roadshow in 2018, where she values ceramics. ‘I've hardly bought anything! But my great-grandfather was a glassblower and he worked alongside Paul Ysart. My granny has a few signed paperweights, so I buy glass examples to continue the collection.’ Thomas Forrester offered his expertise in ‘Ask the Experts’ Thomas has been a director at Special Auction Services since 2006. His specialities are jewellery, silver, ceramics, works of art and modern design. He is also a familiar face on BBC One’s Bargain Hunt. ‘My best-ever buy is also my first – a woodblock print by Scottish artist Arabella…

1 the COLLABORATION LITTLE GREENE NATIONAL TRUST WALLPAPERS Drawing on classic wallpaper designs from heritage properties across Britain, the National Trust Papers collection is a contemporary twist on historical designs. Belton Scenic (pictured) is based on a c1785 pattern from the ornate Chinese bedroom at Belton House in Lincolnshire. 0845 880 5855; littlegreene.com 2 the FAIR SPODE SOCIETY AT AFE Pay a visit to the Art & Antiques for Everyone Fair at the Birmingham NEC from 2nd-5th April for your chance to see precious ceramic artefacts from the Spode Society, plus pick up delectable antiques from an array of prestigious dealers. The Spode exhibition will cover all periods of production, from 1770 through to the 20th century. There will be around 170 choice pieces on show, which each celebrate Spode’s…

‘Try to see the piece you’re thinking of buying in person. Often, the scale of items can surprise you, even if you’ve got the measurements listed.’ Theodora Burrell, Specialist, Lyon & Turnbull ‘Always check the conditions of sale. They’ll be online, in the room, or printed in the catalogue.’ Marc Burridge, Director, Clevedon Salerooms ‘Be decisive. Decide whether you want the piece or not before the auction begins and then go for it!’ Alex Bagner, Co-owner of The Rose hotel, Kent ‘Don’t forget the auctioneer’s commission, VAT and any online bidding charges – these will often add 30 per cent on top.’ Lisa Lloyd, Owner of Hand of Glory and an Antiques Roadshow expert…

Art and design have always been a big part of my life. I studied art history at Nottingham University before taking a Masters at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in 2012. My first job was for Tania Buckrell Pos, an art advisor who helped clients buy world-class paintings, from Picassos to Monets. This gave me a taste for the auction world and I did an internship at Chiswick Auctions, then worked my way up from receptionist to valuer to auctioneer at High Road Auctions, then Criterion Auctioneers. I joined Sworders in 2017 and take auctions at least twice a month – it’s the best part of the job and I want to make our sellers happy. Mounting a sale of 800 lots is a massive undertaking – everything has to be…

Confession time: I’ve never bought at an auction before. So, when my editor, Mel, suggested that visiting a regional auction house may be the best way to showcase the value it can offer, I jumped at the chance. Along with Mel, our art director and a photographer, we headed to Clevedon Salerooms, armed with a heavily highlighted catalogue, my maximum bids for each lot (having added on the buyer’s premium of 22 per cent), and £1,000 of the magazine’s money… The room was chilly, but the mood was cheery – it was a few weeks before Christmas, and there was tinsel on the podium, the aroma of mulled wine in the air, and a jolly buzz from the dealers and members of the public who were meandering among the lots.…

Four years ago, having finished both her doctorate in medical science, and the protracted renovation of their farmhouse home, Lina Behm was ready for change and felt it was time to close that chapter of her life. ‘I was starting a new job teaching at the university of Kristianstad, and I wanted to move on,’ she explains, adding that she also longed for a new style. ‘Our house in the country was ‘shabby chic’, with exposed beams, whitewashed walls and filled with hand-painted, distressed furniture.’ However, when Lina found Villa Sacketorp, a large, turn-of-the-century house in a nearby town, her husband, Karim was hesitant. Having been in charge of the farmhouse renovation, he felt attached to the place, and was reluctant to move. ‘Although the new house was only a…

Michelle Hase Textiles Technologist, Next ‘Pale fabrics are popular, but people worry about protecting them. Choose a treated fabric that will repel most liquids – our Boucle Weave and Tweedy Blend are NEXTGUARD protected. Blot spillages quickly and, if you use a stain remover, test a swatch first; these are under the seat cushion on all Next sofas.’ Jana Durisova Company Director, Beaumont & Fletcher ‘Silk velvet is synonymous with luxury, valued in the interiors industry for its lustre and ability to age gracefully. To extend its life, we recommend vacuuming several times a year on a low setting with a fine mesh over the nozzle. Always work carefully in the direction of the nap.’…

As a means of providing security from both intrusion and the weather, as well as saying something about the inhabitants of a house and the fashions and technology of the time, the front door has always held centre stage. The Tudor entrance, known as a four-centred door, is characterised by a distinctive flat-topped arch, and made from unpainted oak in a plank construction – like Roberta and Zefa’s door – and sometimes the heads of nails were used to provide decoration. By the early 18th century, styles had moved on. ‘The front door was usually one of tall proportions, made in panelled construction, featuring six or more square and rectangular sections arranged in two vertical rows,’ says Rupert Woods of English Salvage. On grand houses these might be embellished with…

Overlooking a secluded courtyard, and accessed via a flight of stone steps, Varpu’s Finnish apartment has an air of peace and tranquility that belies its location. ‘It couldn’t be more central,’ says Varpu. ‘We’re right beside Tampere Cathedral and just behind Stockmann [Finland’s answer to John Lewis].’ Yet in many ways the flat feels as peaceful as the rural cottage she and her husband Timo exchanged for the convenience of cycling to work and shopping on foot. ‘I felt the soul of the place immediately,’ says Varpu, delighted to discover that, alongside some original details, there were some interesting additions… The couple saw the apartment online and were intrigued by the hallway with its glazed doors and smart black and white tiles. But it took a visit to the property…

1951 The Architettura trumeau is one of Fornasetti’s most famous pieces. He collaborated with Gio Ponti on the original prototype. 1952 Fornasetti began his Tema e Variazioni series. He reimagined opera singer Lina Cavalieri’s face countless times in various guises. 1950s Fornasetti began making screens in the late 1940s. The screen Città di Carte (City of Cards) is one of his most famous. 1989 Barnaba’s teapot: in the book, Fornasetti , Philippe Starck describes it as ‘an open door through which one is immediately sucked.’ 2003 The Zebra cabinet stands for what Barnaba terms ‘reinventions’ – new objects he’s designed using themes from the archive.…

Nothing quite exudes a feeling of luxury and splendour like marble. A symbol of wealth and even ostentation to many, images of grand, sweeping staircases, imposing fireplaces and palatial bathroom suites in the shiny rippled stone might come to mind when you picture marble in the home. But it can, in fact, be used in the most simple and delicate of ways. A garden statue, a bowl, lamp or coffee table – marble is not only elegant and timeless, it is an incredibly adaptable material, both durable and natural, and can be blended seamlessly into a period or more modern setting. First used in basic statuary and ornamentalism in Mesopotamia some 5,000 years ago, marble came to the fore in ancient Greece and Rome, where it became the favoured medium…

Teak peak I recently bought this antique sideboard for £50. It brings some much needed character to my modern home, but the teak top is quite badly scratched and marked. Is there a way I can improve its appearance? Olivia Lott, Tunbridge Wells The cloudy marks have probably been caused by water damage that has permeated the French polished surface. Liberon (liberon.co.uk) makes a range of user-friendly products that will help you deal with them. Gently rub the marks and small scratches with very fine wire wool and a wood-cleaning solvent or methylated spirit. Deeper scratches can be filled with a coloured shellac filler stick. When the surface is dry, apply French polish in a thin coat using a cotton pad or brush. Leave each coat to dry before applying…

Peterborough Festival of Antiques Easter weekend (10th-11th April) brings us the spring instalment of Peterborough Festival of Antiques, one of the biggest such events in the country. A medley of antiques and collectables will be spread out on 2,000 stalls across four buildings, marquees and several acres of outdoor pitches. Held twice a year, the fair is popular for its variety of items covering every era, style and budget. The East of England Showground, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 6HE. Opening times vary. £7.50 Friday (£15 before 10am), £5 Saturday. 01636 702326; iacf.co.uk…

‘The brief for The Rectory Hotel was to make it look like a home that had been lived in over generations and has been added to. Alex [Payne, the owner] wanted it to feel like guests were staying with friends’ parents in the country, where their home is a mixture of eras and styles: some old pieces inherited from their grandparents, blended with modern art and furniture. ‘Antiques were key to this project. I wanted to use a lot of George III brown furniture, which I think is lovely when combined with other pieces. I used some big, old sideboards that were bought at auction, plus lots of framed antique maps, mixed in with other classic designs and modern beds, as it’s a hotel. The antiques were all found at…

‘We would describe the aesthetic as atmospheric, cool and design-led. We have been sympathetic to the 18th-century period with Regency furniture, while ensuring our properties are comfortable and cosy. ‘We sourced antiques from Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Dreweatts and Cheffins. We prefer to buy pieces from auction because a knowledgeable auctioneer will describe items accurately. We also love the excitement of knowing that someone else is prepared to pay the same amount that you are. ‘We have two wonderful daybeds from Powderham Castle that we actually bought by mistake! We were quite shocked when they arrived at the Hall, but we have subsequently discovered that their value is far higher than what we paid, and they look wonderful in the Saloon. ‘Our tip is: never get into a bidding war – be…

(Answer printed in the May 2020 issue) Musical beginnings Imagine frying a Spam fritter or two in this perfectly preserved slice of 1950s Liverpool life! This unassuming yet neat and tidy house is where one of the Fab Four lived with his doting Aunt Mimi from the age of five to 23. He sometimes practised his guitar on the front porch. He also co-wrote Please Please Me, among other famous songs. To explore the rooms of this modest home, as a Day Tripper you’ll need to buy a Ticket to Ride a bus tour.…