AND ALL THAT TAT

Tat London founder Charlie Porter on vintage finds and the art of the haggle

Former House & Garden journalist Charlie Porter set up Tat London in 2016 as a place to sell her finest loot from the capital’s best markets, charity shops and car boots. ‘I wasn’t fastidious with my picking, it was more a random assortment of things,’ she quips — although Tat quickly became the insider’s go-to for final decorative flourishes for home renovation projects. These days the tat has become a little pricier — a Hans-Agne Jakobsson Carolin ceiling pendant at the online shop will set you back £1,500 — but there’s still a bargain or two if you look for it. I wonder what’s the most surprising thing Porter, 33, has learnt since setting up shop? ‘It’s only confirmed that I am disorganised and have the attention span of a five-year-old.’ Her most recent purchase that she has syphoned off for herself is a set of six dining chairs by Henning Kjaernulf for £300. ‘I got them the other day, and I am still very pleased with myself.’ Obviously there will always be those things that got away. ‘I try not to think about that; I’ve got to pay my bills, so things have to be sold. But there was a beautiful blue-grey portrait of a man I sold last year, and he still pops into my head from time to time.’

Porter’s best bet for a bargain is to try bartering, but don’t push your luck. ‘Do ask but don’t offend,’ she says. ‘I’ve heard people being downright rude to dealers, forgetting they’re there trying to make a living like the rest of us.’ Remember there is value in what is curated. ‘Don’t be upset if dealers don’t budge. I have had pieces with me for ages — I’d rather hang on than ever cut the price. Seems mad but it makes sense in my head.’