The Malta Independent 13 February 2025, Thursday
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The Decorative Fair at Battersea Park, London

Marie Benoît Saturday, 25 January 2025, 08:00 Last update: about 20 days ago

Discover extraordinary, beautiful, distinctive, useful things for interiors, exteriors and everyday joy at this famous fair which closes its doors tomorrow.

Launched specifically for the interiors market in 1985 by a dealer in decorative antiques, The Decorative Fair was an instant hit with designers, decorators and the trade, and has become an internationally renowned thrice-yearly event. It offers an exciting range of stock far broader than any traditional antiques event, in a relaxed and inspiring setting.

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The 130 or so exhibitors are chosen to maintain a creative balance of decorative and formal British and European antiques, 20th century design, fine and decorative art from antiquity to the present day, unexpected treasures as well as affordable treats. As well as furniture, lighting and mirrors there's a generous sprinkling of specialist dealers in rugs and textiles, garden decoration, glassware, silver, ceramics, fine jewellery, folk and tribal art, vintage watches and couture. The Decorative Fair delivers the perfect cross-section of the best antiques and period design on the market today.

New participants this Winter include John Bly Antiques (fine English antiques), Hone Gallery (C20th art, design and antiques), Twentieth Century Prints (original prints c1950-1980s), ZigZag Modern (C20th design), and Rebecca Christie-Miller Antiques with decorative antiques and objects. The Organisers are equally delighted to welcome back past exhibitors Gray MCA (fashion illustration specialists), Anthony Outred (formal & decorative antiques), Wiliam Cook (antiques and rare objects), and Robin Martin (antique furniture, sculpture & works of art) along with numerous others.

The Winter edition of the Fair plays host on the Mezzanine to the London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair. This annual event features a vibrant, colourful array of antique carpets, rugs, woven art and decorative textiles sourced from across the world, from simple tribal kelims to exotic eastern designs.

A Foyer display, The Architect's Study, takes its influence from the backdrops to the Fair's 2025 marketing campaign, drawn by the leading classical architect George Saumarez Smith, and taken from his wonderful Sketchbooks: Collected Measured Drawings and Architectural Sketches. The presentation will inspire visitors with a showcase of furniture, art and objects suitable for a study, reading or office area. All items come from dealers at the Fair and are for sale.

 

The Winter Decorative Fair is the perfect occasion to hunt for cosy and chic seasonal favourites: fireplace accessories such as decorative fireguards, irons and grates; club fenders and log containers; mirrors and lighting are always popular in January, they add an extra layer of glow to a room; comfy upholstered seating such as Howard chairs and Victorian sofas; occasional tables, and glassware.


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