Swimsuits & Pyjamas

Hidden away on the second floor at Alfies there is a whole gallery of shops waiting to be discovered.  Many people don't manage to make it up to the rafters of Alfies and they are seriously missing out.  Follow the wooden staircase from the ground floor right to the top and you are in for a treat.

Today I discovered an amazing collection of vintage pyjamas from June Victor and Carole Collier.  Perfect for looking sharp during the summer evenings and mornings!

I also couldn't resist this vintage swimsuit in perfect condition.  It's unique in the fact that it expands to fit any bust size up to 36D!  The vintage swimming hat is a steal at £15 and matches perfectly!

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.