New Dealer: Fox-Keating

As mentioned in a previous post we recently had Patricia of Fox-Keating join us, specialising in mid century/kitsch collectables, shoes, furniture, costume jewellery, lamps & lighting.
Now that Patricia's fully settled in and her shop is officially open, it was time to find out more...

How long have you been in the business and how did your interest in antiques develop?

I have always had a passion for old things with a bit of history and a story, rather than new.
I worked as a buying director for a large fashion design company and travelled a lot. I would scour the flea markets and antique shops on my travels for interesting bits for the shops and I have continued through bringing up my twin sons and now it's time to set up on my own to buy and sell.

What attracts you to mid century design?

Mid century design was a burst of colour and design after the austerity of the war, and always had a sense of of kitsch as well as taking inspiration from the new space exploration and atomic discoveries of that time and the new use of plastics. I think it is very inspirational and still largely affordable and the pieces look great in most settings.

What is your favourite item in your shop and why?

I think my favourite item(s) in the shop would have to be 'my ladies'. The plaster lamps from the 50's and 60's with mostly oriental themes. I think they were given as prizes at the fairground and is amazing that they have survived so long, as they are basically made from chalk.

Plaster lamps

What is your price range?

There is really something for everyone's budget, I have enamelled buttons and fabric trims from a few pounds up to the larger pieces of furniture which are much more expensive. So, £5 - £2000.

1950s 'SYLKO' Haberdashery Cupboard

Fox-Keating, stand S010/12.

Vintage Furniture & Objects

Make your way to the second floor of Alfies where a few of our dealers have set up exhibition rooms with their favourite items. Emilia Porto from Thirteen Interiors has chosen a nice selection of vintage furniture including a pair of 1930s club chairs re-upholstered in 'suede' fabric, a 1960s coffee table and a 1950s Macassar wood mirror.

Thirteen Interiors

A selection of 18th and 19th century watercolours from Barry Landsman and a selection of paintings & prints from Mo Heidarieh

Vincenzo Caffarella has selected a few pieces of Italian design mainly 1950s/1960s

including a Morandini painting.

Good Times Antiques selected an antique steering wheel and other interesting antique objects.

www.alfiesantiques.com

Sneak Peek

Whilst browsing around Alfies I spotted these lovely mid century chalkware/plaster kitsch lamps in one of the stands....

They belong to our new dealer Fox-Keating.

If you're into kitsch mid century home accessories, shoes, clothing and furniture this will be the shop to visit.

Fox-Keating, stand S010/12. Opening soon. We will keep you posted!

Church Street at the Battersea Decorative Fair

It was fantastic to see so many antiques dealers from our very own Church Street exhibiting at the Decorative Fair in Battersea last week.

Despite the rain the Battersea power station still looks iconic

Church Street has developed rapidly into a thriving art and antiques community.  A street that started out with just a few shops (and Alfies Antique Market of course!)  is now home to over 20 independent art, antiques, and 20th century design dealers.  Some of whom started out with a stand at Alfies itself.

Trusha Lakhani's stand at the Decorative Fair

Lighting and Seating from Trusha Lakhani

Trusha Lakhani, whose stand at the Decorative fair is pictured above, has recently expanded to take up two spaces, one at Alfies and the other at 14 Church Street.  Trusha sources incredibly unique furniture, art and objects from around the world, mixing Colonial pieces with European mid-century design.  From a 1930s chandelier from a cinema in Bombay to a life size Soviet statue of Alexander Pushkin c1957, you are guarenteed to find something exquisite and surprising.

Interesting wallpaper display and mirror

With so many great shops right on our doorstep, here is a list of the few who exhibited at the Decorative Fair. If you missed the fair last week don't forget you can visit Church Street and Alfies Antique Market from Tuesday-Saturday all year round.

Angell Antiques
Specialising in stylish industrial furniture, old shop fittings, counters & cabinets & a good range of decorative furniture including leather chairs & sofas. No. 22 Church Street.

Gallery 1930
18th, 19th & 20th century furniture, ceramics, lighting & accessories, mirrors, glass, theatre & industrial lighting. No. 18 Church Street.

Patricia Harvey Antiques
A mixture of furniture & decorative objects. No. 42 Church Street.
 

Deuxieme
An unusual & decorative mix of furniture & objects from the 18th to the 20th century. No. 44 Church Street.

Hudson Grove
Furniture, mirrors & objects. 18th to 20th century.  No. 14 Church Street.

Magus Antiques
Continental & Scandinavian, from fine period to the unusual & eccentric including contemporary; furniture, mirrors, lighting, objects & pictures. No. 4 Church Street.

Alfies Pinterest

Yes! We have recently joined...

Alfies is a haven of visual delight, so what better way to present our favourite images and inspiration than on Pinterest. Here's a little taster, but if you want to see more then please follow us.

Shops at Alfies

The Roof Top Kitchen

Alfies Finds

Rule, Brittania!

Alfies Loves

Alfies Jewellery

Alfies favourite Antiques, Vintage and Design blogs

Even though Alfies is a vibrant market with wonderful objects and unique characters, coming up with new ideas for a blog post is always a challenge. We started our blog in August 2008 and since then we have discussed many different topics from mid-century magic, vintage costume jewellery and gift ideas for Halloween, Father's Day and Christmas. We write about things that are happening in our market or beautiful objects we spot but we also like to get our inspiration from films, exhibitions and of course other websites and blogs. That's why we have created a shortlist of our favourite blogs.

The Vintage Guide to London

This city guide for vintage lovers shows you the best of what the London vintage fashion scene has to offer, from burlesque club nights and swing dancing to the best vintage markets, bars and events.

Design*Sponge
The trendsetters at Design*Sponge share trends, tips and advice about home and product design
on their fantastic design blog.

Adire African Textiles

 A marvellous blog from one of our dealers at Alfies, Adire African Textiles is a small gallery dedicated solely to exploring the vintage textile traditions of sub-Saharan Africa. A must read for everyone interested in African Textiles.

Mark Hill

Antiques and Collectables expert Mark Hill is an author, publisher, TV presenter and dealer in postwar Czech Glass. We love reading his website!

 Antique News 

The internet newspaper for the British antique trade. You will find everything you need to know about antiques and the industry on this website.

The Antiques Diva & Co

The Antique Diva entertains her blog readers diva style by sharing secrets from her travels and offering fabulously fun recommendations of places to flea market and antique shop, eat, or stay.

The Mid-Century Modernist

This site is a tribute to the mid-century modern movement as both a historical milestone and a living ideal, reflected in today's best furniture, architecture, and design.

The Young Antiques Collectors

People say that there aren't any young collectors out there, but this blog proves that there are still young people with a passion for antiques.

Miller's Antiques Guide 

Judith Miller is one of the world's leading experts on antiques and her blog is another one of our favourites. She informs her readers with news and information from the world of antiques and collectables

Forget April Showers, We Want...

Clockwise starting from left: William Moorcroft 'Coral Hibiscus' vase c.1930, from Chris Janes stand G089-90, Carlton Ware hydranger pattern dish c1930, from Beth stand G023-25/28-30, 1920s French flapper dress, from Velvet Atelier stand G014-22,  Victorian coral brooch, from Naneen Brooks stand G052-053 & 58, 1970s floral hat, from Persiflage stand S006-008. Centre: Vintage Liberty fabric, from June Victor stand S040

New Dealer - Adrian Cohen

We welcome the latest dealer to Alfies, Adrian Cohen, who specialises in antique and modern silver, silver plate and objets d' art.

Stand S002/04

Please tell us about yourself..
I started in the business 25 years ago, for many years I was in the now defunct Antiquarius Antiques Centre in Chelsea, then in Kensington Church Street. My wife Lindsay and son Simon have now joined me in the business. We pride ourselves on our quality goods and personal service.

Stand S002/04

What is your price range?
£50 - £25,000

 Stand G075/76

Find Adrian Cohen's silver goods on the ground floor G075/76 and the second floor S002/04.

For more information go to http://www.adrian-cohen.co.uk/

Email: silver@adrian-cohen.co.uk

Velvet Atelier

With the opening of a brand new cafe in April and several new dealers moving in, there are a lot of changes going on in Alfies. Last week Velvet Atelier opened a new shop on the ground floor. In this wonderful vintage treasure trove you will find the most stunning vintage dresses from the Victorian Era to the 1970s and a nice collection of shoes, bags and hats. Don't forget to have a look at their designer stock, including Vivienne Westwood, Dior, Armani and Alexander McQueen.

 

 The rotating mannequin in the window is wearing a stunning 1950s theatrical feather and net dress.

Velvet Atelier also stock an incredible collection of wedding dresses from the Edwardian Era to the 1950s.

  

 1920s cream beaded dress

1970s Dallas handbag. This telephone purse is a fully working phone, you just need to plug it in!   

1950s American style pink prom dress

Visit our website http://www.alfiesantiques.com/ or Velvet Atelier's website http://www.mikedinken.strefa.pl/ for more information.  

Mother's Day Gifts

We all hold our Mums in high regard, so when it comes to that special day why not thank her with a present she will cherish forever. We've selected a few gift ideas, but if you pay us a visit, you are bound to find something perfect for your Mother.

1960s Owl Brooch, enamel & jelly belly.
From Tony Durante, stand G047-49.

Musical Kigu Pearl Lid Compact, 1950s.

From Melinda Colthurst, stand F015.

Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta, lead cut crystal perfume bottle, 1955-56.
From Thirteen Interiors, stand G001 - G005 & G050.

Silver gilt and enamel rose trinket, 1915, signed.
From Goldsmith & Perris, G059 & G061-63.

Pre war fabric, Exotic Birds printed on linen.
From Persiflage stand S006-008.

1920s platinum, diamond and blue sapphire pendant.

From Gareth Brooks, stand G079-80.

It's rather apt that this post is about Mother's Day as today is International Women's Day - a celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women. So to ALL you ladies..

Happy International Women's Day!