LOUISE SPENCER DECORATIVE ANTIQUES

Louise Spencer runs her antiques business from The Old Flight House in Oxfordshire and on Instagram…

I used to work at Designers Guild on the Ralph Lauren Home collection, then moved on to run events at the Dutch bank ABN AMRO. I’ve also been Press Officer at L.K. Bennett.

I’ve been collecting antique and vintage pieces since I was 16, when my grandmother gave me a Victorian pine dressing table. In May 2019 I decided to start my business on Instagram. With lockdown and people focusing on their homes (along with the demand for sustainable furniture and objects) the business really took off.

In September 2019 a unit became available at The Old Flight House in Oxfordshire, an antiques, vintage and interiors centre. It provided a perfect opportunity and an additional platform for selling.

I sell an eclectic mix of affordable vintage and decorative antiques, furniture, paintings and objets d’art sourced mainly from France, Sweden and the UK. I tend to buy what I like, imagining pieces in my own home – that way, if anything doesn’t sell I get to keep it. I’m usually to be found rummaging at auctions, antiques fairs and car boot sales, which is my favourite pastime.

I am naturally drawn to continental furniture with original, authentic patina, but affordable quality stock can prove hard to find. I particularly love buying antique wall sconces and lamp bases as they bring something special to any interior. French chairs are always popular, along with coffers, tables and sideboards, so I try to have a constant supply in stock.

I love the excitement of stumbling across a rare or unique find that someone else might enjoy, along with understanding the history and journey of a piece. The interesting people you meet in the antiques world are another highlight of the job.

I can’t wait to visit Europe lots this year to find some lovely new stock. I’m also planning to exhibit at some decorative antiques fairs and to launch a bespoke styling service. @louspencerdecorativeantiques