Where the interior designers shop
From hidden Scandi emporiums to vintage bargain basements, seven British design gurus reveal their sources to Talib Choudhry
Ever wanted to know where interior designers shop? Here, we delve into the closely guarded address books of Britain’s design A-list to reveal the home stores, antique dealers, salvage specialists and markets they scour for decorating gold. Ready, steady, shop...
Stephen Briars
The creative directorecto ofo The Conran Shophop was formerly global al director of visual merchandisinghandising for Louis Vuitton. ton.
Danish Homestore, Nottingham
It isn’t fancy and it certainly isn’t hygge but Simon Harrison’s emporium is full of mid-century Danish classics, from Hans Wegner chairs to Verner Panton lighting. The space is huge and the beautifully restored designs come at distinctly ‘‘not-London’’ prices. Better still, it delivers nationwide. Danish-homestore.com
Baileys Home, Bridstow, Herefs
The relative remoteness of Sally and Mark Bailey’s farmhouse store makes for a bucolic drive. The setting is just as much fun as the vintage objects they adapt for modern use. Over the years I have come away with steel Detroit rocking chairs, a table made from a giant saw blade, and time-worn rocking horses. Baileyshome.com
Deyrolle,Deyrol Paris
Take the stairs to the first floor of this shop in Saint Germain and you are in for an exceptional experience. Brush shoulders with taxidermy polar bears, tigers, monkeys and exotic birds. I fell in love with this place after my first visit and ended up carrying a lion down Rue du Bac for a project I was working on. My only home buy was a mouse. Deyrolle.com
Abigail Ahern,
The trend-setting designer whose retro-tinged interiors have spawned a thousand imitations. She has a home range at Debenhams.
Atomic Antiques, London E1
The owner has a great eye, specialising in 20th-century furniture and lighting, with a nod to Italian design. There are all sorts of bargains in the basement. I find something every time I visit. Atomica.me.uk
Re, Corbridge, Northumberland
A kaleidoscopic selection – think recycled glassware, vintage signs, thick Welsh blankets and charming oddities – housed in a converted garage. If you fancy a good rummage it’s perfect. Re-foundobjects.com
International Antique & Collectors Fairs, nationwide
Held every month around the country, including Newark and Ardingly, these fairs are the place to go for vintage. You need at least half a day – and an empty car boot – as chandeliers, rugs, art and lighting will beg to be bought.
Ben Pentreath
Interior designer known for ‘‘rooms that are timeless but not locked in a historical style’’. Think country house meets contemporary colour.
Max Rollitt, Alresford, Hampshire
Max is an antiques dealer, and interior decorator, with a brilliant eye. He also sells a perfectly judged range of reproduction furniture – his Katzsic sofa in primrose-yellow linen is the most beautiful piece I own. Maxrollitt.com
Jamb, London SW1
In a world cluttered with reproduction architectural antiques, Will Jamb’s chimney pieces and lamps stand out for their quietly convincing designs, which are accurate right down to the smallest detail. Jamb.co.uk
Marianna Kennedy, London E1
Kennedy’s early-18th-century town house in Spitalfields sells beautiful coloured-resin lamps and mirror frames. I bought my first lamp three years ago and now have five. Mariannakennedy.com
David Nicholls
Features director of House & Garden magazine
Morbleu, London SE24
I bought a ridiculous 1970s Italian brass chandelier from Moses Otunla about 12 years ago when he ran Bleu, formerly in Herne Hill. Now, with another dealer, he has opened Morbleu where the pair source and stock a fantastic mix of 20th-century designs in brilliant condition. Rare is the weekend I don’t poke my nose in to see what they’ve got. They also have a warehouse of furniture and lighting tucked away in a railway arch in Camberwell, which is worth asking about. 135 Dulwich Road; 07958 673703
Hus & Hem, Ledbury
A delightful Scandi shop, Hus & Hem has clean, simple and fresh down to a T. I use its Pappelina woven-plastic rugs as doormats (they’re non-slip) but they are also a great way of adding colour to the garden. Husandhem.co.uk
Brixi, London SW9
Emy Grey was among the first wave of groovy shopkeepers in Brixton Market when it opened in 2011, and she’s become an icon in the area for supporting local designers, artists and makers. It is my go-to shop for an unusual gift, whether it be a piece of ceramic, a print or jewellery. Brixi.co.uk
Cath Kidston
English design entrepreneur who has turned nostalgic clothing and kitchenalia into a global business worth an estimated £250 million.
François Gilles, London SW10
My favourite place to go for gorgeous, colourful, Moroccan rugs. I have two 20th-century ones – a riot of chequerboard squares in my husband’s study and a multicoloured diagonal stripe. François has over 30 years’ experience. By appointment only. Francoisgilles.co.uk
Castle Reclama Reclamation, Somerset
This place in Martock does fabulous replica stone flooring, using rubber moulds bearing the imprint of original flagstones. We have the large blue Lias tiles in our kitchen. Castlereclamation.comCa
Akin & Suri, London E2
I love the simplicity of Piyush Suri’s work and colour sense. ‘‘Nila’’ in emerald green is my favourite print, and is available on cushions and lampshades. Akinandsuri.co.ukAkinandsuri
Amy Bradford
Elle Decoration contributing editor who works as consultant for brands including John Lewis and House of Fraser.
Olive and the Fox, Tunbridge Wells
The bespoke lampshade service (from £42) is brilliant. Choose from nine shapes, each of which comes in several colours and sizes. I’ve also got my eye on Fifties-style rattan ‘‘Joseph’’ easy chairs. Oliveandthefox.co.uk
Att Pynta, London SE15
Run by design duo Kai Price and Amanda Nelson, Att Pynta champions affordable Scandinavian design. Its style reflects the big trends in modern Nordic interiors: a palette of midnight blue, dusty pink and grey, craft textiles and flashes of brass. The velvet sofa and armchair are standouts. Attpynta.com
Oggetto, Dorchester, Dorset
Oggetto’s guiding principle is that beautiful pieces turn a house into a home. Its wares have a modernrustic feel, exemplified by recycled glass carafes from Morocco and Leach Pottery’s brown stoneware storage jars. It recently launched a range of oak-and-steel ‘‘Chesil’’ tables and stools. Oggetto.com
Rita Konig
Interior designer working in London and New York, and the author of several design books.
Wilkinson’s, Sittingbourne, Kent
For chandelier restoration, the best in the land is Wilkinson’s, a family-run business set up in the 1920s and still cutting pieces for chandeliers using late-19thcentury methods. It will also clean old grimy chandeliers. Wilkinson-plc.com
Gardiner & Gardiner, Cromarty, Highlands
Helen Gardiner deals in antique plaids and paisleys and always has wonderful old table runners, tumblers and pieces of china. And she is a rare treat herself. Helengardinerantiques.com