First up, in your words how would you describe the sorts of antiques you collect and sell?
We have a varied collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century decorative pieces from across Europe and beyond – furniture, seating, mirrors, art, and more. Our range encompasses a mix of styles from all eras and is interior design-led. We are naturally drawn to anything that is unusual, has great form or has lovely patination. It’s always hard to describe what we sell but I think our collection or style is quite elegant.
Do they reflect your own personal taste?
Our business is a mother and son partnership. We buy stock for the business jointly when abroad on buying trips, and independently at home. Our stock definitely reflects both our tastes but we feel that it somehow works and that our tastes complement each other. Generally speaking we would never buy anything that we could not live with ourselves.
Tell us about your most fascinating find to date: where did you discover it and what was its story?
Age and provenance are important to us, but our buying is quite aesthetic-led. However we have had some especially interesting buys over the years. One of the best was a massive artwork by Joan Witek who we later found has works in the Met and MOMA in New York. And we recently sold an armchair that came from the estate of Raymond Briggs and had a side table that probably came from the Omega workshops (Bloomsbury group). We currently have another armchair that was part of a salon set previously owned by the Burdett-Coutts family. We normally buy these pieces because we love them and if they then turn out to have interesting provenance then that’s a bonus!
Has there ever been something you’d found and couldn’t part with?
I personally own a very rare pair of Will Guhl loop chairs, though I don’t have anywhere for them! The house I’m moving to only has a small courtyard… But they are amazing and I’ll find somewhere for them, eventually.
Are there, in your eyes, any big no-nos with antiques in the home?
I don’t think so. Antiques add character to any home but of course some pieces work better than others depending on the house…
What would your advice be on choosing the right antiques for your home? How do you pick a period?
… following on from previous question, antiques, Mid Century and vintage pieces can sometimes look wrong in the wrong home. For example, country, folk art and vernacular pieces would look wrong in a glass box looking over the Thames while a Windsor chair in the corner as a juxtaposition to modern design can look really stylish. Similarly, an antique table often works well in a contemporary kitchen and an architectural modern light can add an interesting design feature to a period cottage.
Any common pitfalls to avoid? Scale, for example?
I would avoid decorating in pairs – pairs of cabinets, pairs of beside tables, pairs of mirrors etc. I find this too formulaic; it’s more interesting to find individual pieces. When buying antique pieces, it really is always wise to check the condition; it’s easy to buy something at a market and later discover it has wood worm or needs restoration.
What about combining eras in one room: does it work? And if so, which styles do you love to mix?
It works for us! We often mix English country with French-painted or Mid Century design. Good shapes normally work well together even if they are from different periods.
Can you share any insider intel: the best antiques markets in your eyes?
Couldn’t possibly say! We do most of our buying in the South of France from huge trade markets. But I always enjoy going to Kempyon and Ardingly.
Which is your most treasured antique at home and why?
I don’t have a favourite, probably the paintings bring me most joy, but the piece I use the most is my 19th century French bistro glass tumbler with a wee dram of single malt!
If you were designing a dream room to dress with antiques, which would it be and what would you want to put in it?
We’re lucky that we do that sort of thing for a living; we’re always rearranging our showrooms with our antiques. It’s creatively stimulating and when something sells we get to start the process again.
Five in Five
Every month, we ask our favourite antiques dealers which pieces they would pick from the Rebecca Udall collection. New pieces that blend seamlessly with the old...
1. You’re pouring a drink. What drink and into which glass?
The Henrietta Handblown tumbler with Jura 18 inside.
2. You’re setting the table for supper for six. Who’s around the table and which tablecloth?
My partner Nix, family, friends and Wilf our Border Terrier with the Classic mitred linen cloth.
3. Still on supper – what’s your signature dish and which crockery would you be serving it on?
Pasta Puttanesca served in a Madeleine pasta bowl.
4. You’re getting ready for bed. What’s your pre-sleep ritual and which bedding do you want to climb under?
I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow and I’d have the Frame bed linen in Umber.
5. You’re in the mood for treating yourself to something. What little object for your home would you pick from the collection and where’s it going?
The Bronze walnut is lovely and probably quite tactile I’d say.
