MY ANTIQUE HOME
Designer and antiques dealer Benedict Foley shares his thoughts on decorating with antiques, something he and his interior decorator partner Daniel Slowik have done with flair in their early-19thcentury mill cottage
What do antiques bring to an interior?
Character! People always want to know what makes a room feel special and although it can seem like some sort of magic, it’s a sum of the parts. Wonderful architecture helps, but an ordinary room enlivened by a good paint colour and objects made with care and chosen for their age and character, is a pleasurable place to be.
Do you have any go-to pieces when decorating with antiques?
I have always loved ceramics and collect across a wide range of periods, from very simple early Chinese celadon to bizarre 19th-century examples. Organic surfaces such as wood or textiles tend towards a mellow brown over time, so I always look to colourful ceramics to inject punctuating colour. I also like to use figurative art and artefacts to add life to a space.
Any top tips for buying?
Go over rather than under scale to make a stronger impression and buy what you instinctively respond to. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: good dealers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and will tell you why something is interesting. I would also recommend forming a strong relationship with a good auction house. If you see something that amuses you, snap it up, as evidence of a sense of humour is key to making a room feel welcoming.
Benedict’s sourcebook
CHEFFINS: This is my go-to auction house for fine art, design and interiors (cheffins.co.uk)
ROBERT KIME: An interior decorator’s dream and treasure trove of delights (robertkime.com)
JAMB: For hand-selected stellar English furniture (jamb.co.uk)
THE TOLSTOY EDIT: Charming painted European furniture and country house kitchen pieces (thetolstoyedit.com)
ALMÁSY: A selection of choice items for the antique lover’s home (almasy.co.uk)