Battersea Decorative Fair

Everyone's been talking about how miserable the London weather has overall been this spring, so when handed a gloomy, wet day, we are always looking for something to do indoors. Such was the case a few weeks ago, when we headed to the Battersea Park Decorative Fair--an indoor antique fair situated in the lovely Battersea Park just across the Thames River from our house.

We were greeted by a topiary in honor of the Queen--it is her Jubilee year, you know.

Just inside the door, my eyes were drawn to these angel wings. Such a beautiful accent piece.

I loved the booths with the rustic touch and

any outdoor garden accents.

Could have seriously bought many items at those two booths, if time and money had been more fluid!

Crowns were a popular decorating motif.

And vintage kitchen items always draw a lot of interest.

Chests, or "commodes" as the French call them were given places of prominence.

I would have liked to have had all three

of these commodes. As you can tell, I'm drawn more to French, and sometimes Swedish antiques, more than the English antiques, and this fair offered a few of those items that really were beautiful, such as this 18th century French commode with its original painted finish. £5950

Another French piece---this incredible armoire--beautiful!

And if I could have been more decisive, this table would have gone home with me. I left thinking I would come back the next day with hubby after he flew in from his overseas flight, but that was not to be, since his flight was delayed enough to miss the show completely.

Guess that was a sign that I didn't really need it, but I have to admit I think about it every now and then. 

Dating from the 1860's this "bureau plat" with drop leaf sides boasted a seaweed marquetry that was exquisite, and the top when raised revealed a ladies mirror framed in gold bronze. The front drawer opened up to a writing top in its original velvet.

Have you ever left a purchase behind that you dream about and wish you had grabbed it when you could?

Antiquing Day Out

With the weather a bit brighter and warmer, we headed out for a day trip to Sawbridgeworth for a bit of antiquing. Just a short train ride into the countryside, Sawbridgeworth is a charming town and an easy destination with a string of antique shops right beside the train station.

Sawbridgeworth shops specialize in "smalls," the things you can carry away easily with you, although you might just stumble onto a piece of furniture that suits your fancy.

It's a great place to find the things you never knew you needed: like a thatched roof doll house,

a 1918 silver evening bag- £195 or a 1909 ivory and silver page turner for £120,

a 19th century ear syringe just £50,

 or an early 20th century French porcelain doll's potty chair for £26.

How about a Georg Jensen silver 1944 baby's food pusher for £80 or a Georg Jensen silver  cigarette holder from the 1930's for £160? We enjoyed imagining how "chic" some woman must have felt smoking her cigarette with such a fancy holder!

We all admired the 1907 Birmingham silver and cut glass ink well for £225--so pretty-

and this antique photo of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, signed by Margaret herself.

So much shopping can wear you out, so we headed to town for a lovely al fresco lunch in the center of town, and then following lunch, we enjoyed a leisurely walk back towards the train station. We spent a bit of time in the Great St. Mary's Church, built in the 13th century with a Tudor tower. Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn have both worshipped there.

Inside this very small church are a couple of impressive memorials, this one for George Viscount Hewyt who "graduated from the cradle to public service and had scarce put aside his rattle when he donned a helmet as Captain-Lieutenant of the Queen's Guards for the remaining years of Charles II."

He was "snatched away by fever" at the age of 37 years, and although his sisters were grieved, they did just fine since they had "contracted the most handsome marriages."

The second memorial was a beautiful alabaster tomb for Sir John Leventhorpe and Lady Joan his wife, who both died in the 1620's.

Kneeling below are their 6 sons and 8 daughters in portraiture,

the smallest being little Arthur, in black, whose tiny size indicates he died in infancy.

Moving outside, we strolled through the church's cemetery

and enjoyed the beauty of the spring day,

before saying good bye to the little town of Sawbridgeworth and heading back to the city life of London.

Have you taken a day trip lately?

Off to the Races--Antiquing That Is!

One of the favorite activities around our London world is to grab a group of friends and head out to an antique market. That's just what we did recently when we headed by train out to Sunbury for their bi-monthly antique market which is held at Kempton Racecourse.

Sunbury Market is the largest and longest running bi-monthly market in England, having been at this location for over 20 years. Making your way around 700 + booths, both inside and outside, is a bit of a challenge.

It's one of those markets where you really need to go early, opening just after 6 AM, if you want to find the best buys.  We didn't get there quite that early, since we had a bit of a commute from London to the countryside, but we did make it fairly early in the morning. We first headed to the silver booth

of two vendors whom my friends knew, and between the 4 of us bought several things. Some of mine are Christmas gifts, so I won't show you here,

but there were some lovely things to be found.

 I like taking you along on these trips,  so let's start with the porcelain,

tea sets for everyone, then head over

to see some leather,

perhaps a door or two,

or some religious statuary mixed in with a few dress mannequins.

Some of you might be more interested in the furniture,

or maybe props from a burlesque show.

I found several things I could have picked up for Halloween, a fox to greet you at the door,

the 6 million dollar man,

an African statue,

or perhaps some preserved bats!

Or maybe you are already thinking ahead to Christmas and love these old ornaments.

One item we saw over and over again were furs 

of all shapes and sizes. If this winter is as cold as the last, I may wish I had bought one!

Christmas shopping is all about buying toys, 

so don't forget the antique ones.

They're always looking for a good home under the tree!

I leave you with this Scottish lad--wouldn't he be cute amidst your Christmas greens?

So what would you be shopping for, if you come along next time?