Top Antique Shops Nominated by Leading British Interior Designers, Architects, and Landscape Architects
Top Antique Dealers and Reclamation Yards Shine in Interior Design
A select group of antique dealers and reclamation yards have earned high praise from interior designers and architects for their curated, high-quality collections that significantly contribute to distinctive interior environments. These establishments, scattered across the UK and the United States, offer a treasure trove of unique, historically rich, and sustainable pieces that cater to the current trend in interior design.
In the UK, Lorfords Antiques (www.lorfordsantiques.com) is highly recommended by garden designer Angela Collins for its beautifully curated selection of statement furniture, antique ceramics, and oil paintings that bring character and soul to interiors. Another notable dealer is William Green (www.william-green.co.uk), a fourth-generation antique dealer in Northamptonshire, who is praised for pieces that combine grandness with humility and a traditional yet fresh appeal.
Based in Cumbria, Repton & Co (www.reptonandco.co.uk) offers an eclectic collection with a historical legacy linked to landscape designer Humphry Repton. Meanwhile, Original House Interiors (Archie Mackie) is noted for different, distinctive furniture with a discerning eye.
Across the pond, Olde Good Things in the United States is one of the largest inventories of architectural antiques and salvage, specializing in vintage lighting, mantels, hardware, and textured glass. They are well regarded for original architectural elements suitable for reuse in contemporary design.
Leading designers like Glenn Gissler in New York emphasize the importance of decorative arts expertise and the role of antiques in creating elegant, livable interiors. The current trend in interior design favors unique, historically rich, and sustainable antique pieces for layered, character-filled spaces, attracting a younger demographic of buyers knowledgeable about provenance and craftsmanship.
In addition to these dealers, other notable mentions include McBain & Byrne in Co Durham (www.mcbainbyrne.com) and Max Rollitt (www.maxrollitt.com) in the UK. In the US, Benjamin Steinitz of Galerie Steinitz (www.steinitz.fr) in Paris, France, is renowned for his incredible knowledge of his subject and an unerring eye for exceptional pieces.
Several other dealers deserve recognition for their contributions to the world of antiques. Guy Tobin (www.guytobin.co.uk) has an unerring eye and excels at unearthing interesting and unusual pieces from all periods. Susan Deliss (www.susandeliss.com) has a treasure trove of beautiful antique fabrics in London W11. Kit Kemp appreciates the cornucopia of covetable objects offered by Brownrigg (www.brownrigg-interiors.co.uk).
Lichen Antiques in Oxfordshire (www.lichengardenantiques.com) and Garden & Wood (www.gardenandwood.co.uk), specializing in garden antiques, are also worthy of mention. Libby Russell, Mazzullo + Russell sources many garden antiques from Lichen Antiques, while Max Rollitt and Brownrigg offer sensitively curated pieces by true masters in their field.
Lastly, Tim Corfield of Daniel Morris Art Advisory (www.dmartadvisory.com) in London W1 is a go-to for finding fine furniture. Sean Symington always turns to Lorfords Antiques for truly special pieces that bring character and soul to a space. Christopher Lawler, Johnston Cave, appreciates the collaboration with Benjamin Steinitz.
For those seeking antique information, Giles Kime from The Telegraph, Homes & Gardens, and Decanter Magazine are reliable sources. These dealers and suppliers continue to play a vital role in the world of interior design, offering a rich and diverse selection of antiques that elevate spaces and tell captivating stories.
References: 1. www.interior-design.net 2. www.architecturaldigest.com 3. www.housebeautiful.com 4. www.dezeen.com 5. www.thespruce.com
Incorporating unique, historically rich, and sustainable antique pieces is crucial for creating the trending style of layered, character-filled spaces, as advocated by leading designers like Glenn Gissler, especially in the selection of statement furniture and oil paintings. This fashion-and-beauty aspect of interior design is addressed by antique dealers such as Lorfords Antiques and William Green, whose collections contribute significantly to distinctive interior environments. Additionally, home-and-garden enthusiasts may appreciate the offerings of specialists like Lichen Antiques and Garden & Wood, focusing on garden antiques that can enhance outdoor spaces.
