All the Fun of the Fair!
Alice Roberton talks to Nicky Keen, owner of Joy Interiors and co-director of Joy Events
Inheriting a love of trawling through antique barns and shops from her parents, Nicky Keen has cultivated a career centred on transforming houses and orchestrating beautiful events alongside her co- director, stylist Klara Bromley. Their journey began in 2017 with the success of a charity open-house event. Since then, they have expanded their endeavours, now hosting three events a year in the heart of the Midlands. Their signature style – pretty, pastel and whimsical – defines these popular events.
Tell us about Joy Events We host three seasonal Country Home & Brocante events – in spring, autumn, and at Christmas – all held at Middleton Hall, a Grade II- listed building just south of Tamworth. It’s a gorgeous, historical location, absolutely perfect for the look and feel we wanted our events to have. Securing this location has been a dream come true. We host around 50 exhibitors, all with beautifully curated displays of brocante, decorative vintage, gardenalia, artwork, jewellery, and more. We also have food and drink vendors so visitors can really make a day of it.
Early on, we identified that there weren’t any events like ours in the area and that people would travel. Having spent a lot of time in France, frequenting brocantes and house clearances to find treasures for ourselves, we know first- hand just how far people are willing to go for unique finds. We’re delighted to bring our events to the area, and love welcoming visitors who have travelled a distance.
Tell us about the thinking behind the Country Home & Brocante aesthetic In the weeks leading up to each event, we work tirelessly on planning the styling, curation, visuals, and overall experience to ensure everyone has the best possible time. Our talented exhibitors also go above and beyond to ensure their stalls look fantastic; this, in turn, sparks ideas for attendees on how they could recreate similar looks in their own homes. Our events are more than just a day out; they offer an immersive experience.
Which item do you think could work in any kind of home? The beauty of vintage and antique pieces is their timeless relevance. Take rustic chopping
boards, for instance; not only are they practical, but when stacked together they make stunning display items. Another simple way to elevate the look of any home is with a seasonal centrepiece: stems of winter berries or bunches of early summer cow parsley in a repurposed vessel. Our sellers offer a range of glass, stoneware and galvanised containers, perfect for the task.
When you have time to shop, where do you like to go? Our favourite pastime is travelling around France, exploring both larger brocantes and smaller roadside flea markets. We also love Decorative Country Living in Claythorpe (decorativecountryliving.com) for their open days, as well as Rosehip Open Studio in Suffolk (rosehipinthecountry.com). Both outings are a visual treat, enriching our passion and inspiring our event planning.