Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Homes & Antiques

After a grey, drizzly winter, and a rather tentative start to spring, it’s a true breath of fresh air to be writing this as a mini heatwave rolls in. Laughter drifts on the breeze as my neighbours spill into their gardens, the air rich with the sweet, smoky scent of barbecues – a sure sign that summer is on its way. If you, too, take pleasure in al fresco dining and sunset soirées, Jenny Oldaker’s edit on page 27 is brimming with inspiration to help you host in style. Whether rustic opulence speaks to your sensibilities, or you lean more towards a country garden aesthetic, you’ll find plenty to spark your creativity. An iconic summer tradition is also on our minds this month. While I may not be a devoted…

Elegant entertaining Nothing says summer more than al fresco dining, so set your garden table in style with these luxurious fabrics from Vanessa Arbuthnott, from £76 per metre. Pictured here are cushions in Wild and Free, napkins in Fruit Garden Detail, and pleated lampshades in Sepals and Petals, each featuring a soft kale-green colourway to pull the scheme together. vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk Highgrove in bloom Some pairings feel destined, and the union of Sanderson and Highgrove Gardens is a perfect example. For this collection, the designers at Sanderson have drawn on the beauty of the beloved grounds of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s private residence, and combined it with their own beguiling archive of prints and florals. The result is a 108-piece range of wallpapers, fabrics, weaves and embroideries, designed to…

If you’ve ever been curious about what goes on in the roped-off ‘closed for conservation’ areas you come across in stately homes, then this book is for you. A companion to the BBC television series of the same name, Hidden Treasures of the National Trust reveals the behind-the-scenes work of the Trust’s team of conservators as they preserve, rescue and repair architectural and decorative treasures from the hundreds of properties and monuments in their care. Not surprisingly, given the history passing through their hands, fascinating stories are revealed in the process. Take for example La Baccelli, the recently repaired, reclining, naked statue in Knole house. Modelled on Giovanna Zanerini, mistress of John Frederick Sackville, how prominently she has been displayed during different eras is intriguingly entwined with family history. The…

Although we may imagine the bathing practices of our ancestors to be few and far between, in fact there exists a longstanding love story between bathing and the British Isles. This tale begins with the arrival of the Romans in Britain, in AD 43. Dr Giacomo Savani, a lecturer of Ancient History at the University of Leeds and author of Rural Baths in Roman Britain, explains that bathing was a ubiquitous aspect of modern life in Roman Britain. ‘Baths were essential facilities in antiquity, and were common in cities, towns, military outposts, and villas,’ he says. ‘People with very different cultural and social backgrounds shared a love for bathing.’ These were not rudimentary baths, either: the Romans developed the ‘hypocaust’ system as an early form of central heating, where hot…

As an artist who works with ceramic tiles and has a deep interest in public spaces and the built environment, Matthew Raw’s latest commission is right up his street. He is working with developers and architects in central Bristol to bring access and life back to a neglected stretch of canal behind the train station. The new path along the Feeder Canal is part of the redevelopment of a series of old factory buildings that will soon be turned into flats, and Matthew will be creating a 450-metre-long handrail for the walkway, as a piece of public art. Train stations, factories, canals and the onward march of urban development are all subjects close to the heart of this artist, who is originally from Manchester but now based in Paris, while…

The sheer textile has a fascinating way with light, allowing or intercepting its passage through the weave. Its qualities have taken several centuries to prove useful as well as beautiful. Handwoven lace took the first step when it captivated Europe from the 16th century as a fashion accessory for ruffs, collars and cuffs. By the 18th century, lace was acquiring a rival: muslin. This semi-transparent sheer, woven with evenly spun warp and weft threads, caught society’s eye – from Bonaparte’s Empress Joséphine in France, who preferred it to silk, to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire in England. It was the finest textile ever seen, woven from a variety of cotton that grew only in the climate of the Dhaka region of Bengal, now Bangladesh. Poetically described as ‘woven air’, muslin came…

St Mark’s Bothy Beautiful Brownsea Island is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Poole Quay, but feels a world away from the bustle of the mainland. This nature reserve is home to rare red squirrels and is made up of diverse habitats including heathland, woodland and lagoon – and St Mark’s Bothy is a characterful base from which to take full advantage of the destination. The beachside accommodation likely began life as a dovecot in the late 1800s before being adopted as the gardener’s cottage for nearby South Shore Lodge. These days, it’s enjoying a new lease of life as a rustic retreat accommodating up to five people, offering simple decor and basic facilities. nationaltrust.org.uk Tioram Cottage Eilean Shona is a glorious, car-free wilderness off the west coast of Scotland.…

1 1 st Dibs We always find good examples of antiques on 1st Dibs, and washstands are no exception. From sellers in the UK, there’s a Victorian mahogany washstand that comes complete with stoneware basin and jug, a stunning Aesthetic Movement washstand found in a barn in Sussex featuring an architectural-inspired pediment back with Minton tiles, and a French walnut and oak washstand with a marble top, c1880. 1stdibs.com 2 Desired Effect Antiques Only a couple of washstands appear in stock at any one time on dealer Andy Walker’s online store, but those that do have something extra-special about them, as do most of Andy’s pieces. Currently there’s a Victorian painted washstand in later blue chippy paint, as well as a Regency pine washstand chest-of-drawers. desiredeffectantiques.com; @desiredeffectantiques 3 Georgian Antiques If there’s one…

‘Shades like soft blue are lovely - the lighter the shade, the more spacious your room will feel’ If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the bathroom is the soul. It’s a place for self-care and relaxation, shower-singing and scrubbing; the room where we are – quite literally – our most bare, authentic selves. But for all its importance, modern bathroom design can too often feel sparse and clinical; lacking the warmth and character that make a space truly inviting. If you’re feeling this way about your own bathroom, here are five simple ways to imbue your sanctuary with style. 1 PLAY WITH COLOUR When choosing paint, ensure that you opt for a finish that’s durable and moisture-resistant to withstand the bathroom’s humid conditions. Satin paint is often recommended,…

Whether you have a tiny balcony, a bijou patio or a grand expanse of green space, it’s time to make the most of longer, warmer days by taking your social occasions outdoors. While the idea of a ‘garden party’ might conjure up visions of sedate gatherings on carefully coiffed lawns, with floral frocks and formal canapés, the beauty of outdoor events today is that absolutely anything goes, and gatherings can easily be curated to suit your space, style and budget. Perhaps you want to host a sitdown al fresco meal with elaborate tablescaping, or maybe you’d like to invite guests for casual drinks on an artfully strewn array of picnic blankets and cushions. Whatever the size or tone, an outdoor party is a perfect excuse to go to town, and…

The Roman Baths Bath, Somerset Used as a natural thermal spa in ancient times, this site is still filled with hot spring water today, reaching as high as 46°C. As well as the spectacular Great Bath, you can visit the accompanying museum and extensive ruins – some of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world. Military Bathhouse Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall Set against the beautiful backdrop of the banks of the North Tyne, this bathhouse would have once been a relaxing space for Roman soldiers to rest and socialise. You can now walk among the well-preserved remains of this complex, with remnants of various facilities including cold and steam baths. Bignor Roman Villa Bignor, Sussex In this impressive Roman countryside villa, you’ll find the remains of a bath complex complete…

Back in 2011, Sarah and Myles Hazebroek were living in a townhouse in Tunbridge Wells when they decided they needed more outdoor space for their children, Ted and Polly, to roam. Sarah, who runs homeware brand Huddle Collection, and Myles, who runs a PR agency, narrowed their search down to the pretty Kent village of Goudhurst. The couple’s budget meant that they were on the hunt for a doerupper. ‘We wanted a period house with views and also with potential, as we didn’t have the money to buy the perfect house. Plus, we wanted to put our stamp on it,’ says Sarah. Sarah had links with estate agents, having previously worked in the industry, and so was one of the first to hear about a detached Victorian on the outskirts…

‘When I was very little – two-and-a-half or three years old – I was given a rabbit fur suit; an all-in-one with a hood. I have a photograph of me wearing it. The photo is very old and worn now, and the outfit is long gone, but it’s the reason I have my unusual name – Bunny. The name I was given when I was born was Carolyn, but when I was wearing the suit, I refused to answer to anything else. My father’s name for me was actually Bundle, but it was the name Bunny that stuck. I’ve been given lots of rabbits over the years – toys and ornaments of all kinds – and I’ve bought them too, at various antiques fairs, auctions and dealers. I now have…

Paris in springtime was the perfect setting for one of this year’s highest-grossing French auctions. The location was Hôtel Drouot in Quartier de l’Opéra, a hub of salerooms which are at the heart of the Paris art and antiques market, famously selling the estates of artists Degas, Ingres and Delacroix. At the beginning of March, another great collection went under the hammer – that of the late French antique weaponry dealer and scholar, Philippe Missillier, who had advised the likes of the Tower of London and The Metropolitan Museum of Art about acquisitions. In a two-day sale organised by Paris auction house Giquello, more than 600 bidders from 42 countries gathered at Hôtel Drouot to do battle over Missillier’s treasures. Among the 487 lots were rarities such as an 18th-century…

Fabric Wallpaper Transform a simple bathroom using patterned fabricsfor a sink shirt, shower curtain, chair cushions or window treatments. Opt for small-scale prints in uplifting colours so as not to overwhelm the space, and tie the look together with a cohesive trim…

Bathhouses Public bathing facilities were widely used in Roman Britain (and later soared in popularity again in Victorian Britain). These spaces were available to the public, enabling people to get clean, socialise and relax. Wooden baths Many households throughout the Middle Ages would have owned a wooden tub for bathing. Usually lined with a cloth to prevent splinters, these tubs would be filled with warm water that had been heated over the fire. Copper and tin baths Before indoor plumbing, baths had to be small and portable. For much of the 19th century, lightweight metal slipper baths were used – in the bedroom, for wealthier homes, while the working classes typically bathed in the kitchen. Coated baths In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cast-iron and steel baths coated…

When Sharon Foskett and her husband Cobie bought their run-down cottage in Cornwall, it was all systems go. Moving their young family into a caravan in the depths of winter, they worked around the clock to renovate the property in just three months. However, when it came to the interiors, it was a different story: the look has come together gradually over time, slowly evolving with Sharon’s growing collection of pale and interesting pieces. ‘I didn’t have a plan. I just knew I wanted a blank canvas and that I loved everything old and shabby,’ says Sharon. ‘It’s developed organically. I’ve bought things to suit the house – I felt it needed a cosy cottage feel.’ Today, the house is a tranquil oasis, decorated in soothing neutrals and furnished with…

The Wimbledon Championships are an annual treat that have taken place since 1877, only put on hold during two World Wars and the Covid pandemic. Whatever the weather, the most famous lawn tennis tournament in the world is also one of Britain’s greatest summer traditions – a fortnight of sporting bliss as balls thwack on rackets and spectators clap, lapping up the thrills, spills and surprises. Each Wimbledon fortnight, more than half a million spectators descend on London’s SW19 to watch matches at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, consuming 200,000 bowls of Kentish strawberries and cream, and 300,000 glasses of Pimm’s No.1 Cup along the way. In the hallowed Royal Box on Centre Court, 80 dark-green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs are provided for the comfort of special guests such…

So often, self-catering accommodation for big groups can feel impersonal, verging on corporate and even, whisper it, unstylish. Bloomfield House in the Bear Flat area of Bath is anything but. Dating from the 1790s, the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion was once home to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bath, and features suitably impressive architecture and sweeping views of the Bath skyline. More recently it had been run as a traditional B&B (think chintzy four-posters and tasselled curtains), before being renovated last year by the new owners, Kerry and Roger Parsons. Today, the large, high-ceilinged rooms feature opulent statement lighting with a mid-century aesthetic, large-scale contemporary art, and a muted Farrow & Ball palette. ‘Throughout the renovation, we wanted to respect the historic features of the house while also…

What first sparked your interest in antiques, and how did it grow from there? I was brought up in a house full of lovely antiques, and was always interested in the history of them. I cut my teeth working in my father’s antique billiards table business. From a young age, I collected antique glass bottles – I was drawn to them for their shape, size, colour and age. I would buy mostly late-Georgian, some Victorian, with my own pocket money. I still have some examples in our showroom in Hungerford, but sold most of my collection – along with my stamps – to my brother. What is it specifically about garden antiques that speaks to you? I love the history behind each piece; the provenance; where they were purchased for;…