SourceBook Dealer of the Week: John Bird Antiques

Trade sign for a removal company. English circa 1860.

With over 40 years experience in the antiques trade, John Bird is one of the most well-established antiques sources for dealers and decorators in the UK, USA and abroad. His wealth of knowledge and experience means he sources and sells a wide selection of classic and unusual items with an emphasis on good colour and form. John's other criteria for sourcing stock is identical to mine: each piece must be as comfortable in a period property as in a contemporary property.

Chaise longue in high Regency taste. English circa 1820.

Weather vane. English, 19th century.

John Bird Antiques are based in Petworth but also exhibit at the Decorative Antiques and Texiles Fiar in Battesea and at the Bath Decorative Fair. 

George III pale mahogany chest of drawers. English circa 1790.

John Bird Antiques
Address: The Clubroom, High Street, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0AU
Telephone: 01798 343250
Email: mail@johnbirdantiques.com
Website: www.johnbirdantiques.com

John sells a well chosen eclectic and decorative mix of furniture, pictures and objects of all periods especially English country house, Arts and Crafts, Folk art, Painted and Upholstered pieces.

He is a member of the Petworth Antiques and Decorative Arts Association and a member of the Petworth Business Association.

Console table of neo-classical design and based on a design by Thomas Chipendale,
made by James Mein of Roxburgh Street, Kelso, Scotland, circa 1820.

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WIN £50 Gift Voucher for West Egg

Just in time for the festive season, we're offering a £50 gift voucher that can be used for any purchase from the West Egg online store! To enter simply take part in this super quick and easy survey - it has 10 questions in total and will take less than 5 minutes. Click here to take part in the survey and help us make West Egg's online store even better for 2012.

Terms and Conditions: The competition closing date is 30th November 2011. Claiming this prize is conditional on an order being placed by 22nd December 2011. West Egg cannot be held responsible if the prize is not claimed by the closing date. The total value of the prize is £50. The winner will be contacted within 1 week of the closing date by email. The prize is non transferrable and there is no cash alternative. Copyright © 2010 West Egg Limited, All rights reserved.

The Perfect Gift from West Egg

I'm very happy to let you know the West Egg online store now stocks gift vouchers. So, if you can't decide what to give someone this Christmas or for an upcoming birthday or wedding, why not let them choose themselves and send one of our fabulous gift vouchers instead.

The beauty of the West Egg gift vouchers is that you can choose any denomination you like so whether it's £10,£200 or £42.50 just type in the amount you want to give and we'll do the rest. 

The gift vouchers can be sent directly to the recipient or to you at your specified address. The vouchers are enclosed in beautiful vintage style cards which are then wrapped in brown paper and tied with fabric ribbon. 

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us by email to info@westegg.co.uk or by telephone to 0207 060 2975. Publish Post

My favourite so far...

This morning I finished re-lining the interior of the latest vintage trunk, set up a mini-shoot, took some photographs and uploaded this latest gem onto the west egg online store. It is my favourite trunk so far. I love it because this trunk was a total wreck when I picked it up.  The interior paper had been badly damaged with a half-hearted new layer on top, one of the bottom panels was missing and the wheel was hanging off. I'm very lucky to have a father whose carpentry skills are unsurpassed and he has done a beautiful job of replacing the panel and fixing the wheel so you can't even tell. Sadly, my brain doesn't seem wired for practical cabinet-making no matter how much I try. Finishing techniques on the other hand, french polishing, painting, distressing, waxing removing stains - I totally get it.

Early 20th century vintage trunk with an arch top and French oak wooden frame.

Lovely new blue and white ticking interior.

The other thing I am beginning to think my brain is not wired for is photography. I've always really wanted to learn more about photography but everytime I come to it, I just feel overwhelmed. All these terms - exposure, lens, focus, shutter speed, aperture - they are so baffling to me. So I'm doing trial and error. Really. Holding my instruction book and occasionally glancing at  my brilliant slightly complicated photography book (a most thoughtful gift),  I essentially muddle my way through adjusting lighting and trying out different buttons until the photos come out the way I'm most pleased with. I wish, wish, wish I had paid more attention in physics and worked harder to understand the basic concepts....like how a camera actually works!

Anyway, I took these photos (did you know photos means light in Greek?) today and although I think they could be a million times better, when I think how bad I was this time last year, I  have to conclude that at least I've improved a bit. So, big up respect to all the professional photographers out there who combine science and art to produce beautiful images.

And here is my favourite image from today. I didn't realise all the time I was taking photographs that Alfie must have been asleep behind the trunk.

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West Egg meet Nest Egg

Sage in the garden still going strong despite the colder weather.

I've been blogging here for just over a year now (crazy where the time goes) and I've been feeling for a little while that it was getting a little confusing with all the different things I was posting - like recipes, adventures that kind of thing. I really love sharing these posts but I've decided to focus the west egg blog on certain areas - namely, Antiques & Vintage, Living & Interiors and Behind the Scenes. These are the key areas I really feel the west egg blog is about so that's what I'll be focusing on in the next year. 

So this is where you get to meet Nest Egg. I've set up a new sister blog where I can blog about recipes I love, living & home tips and adventures & travels. Take a look at the new blog by clicking here or visit http://nestegg-living.blogspot.com and please let me know what you think! 

All of the recipes and adventure blog posts from west egg have been moved over and starting next week you'll see new posts being added in time for christmas including a really cool one on how to make your own christmas wreath - so fun!

Have a great weekend all!

Louisa

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SourceBook Dealer of the Week: Inspired Furniture

Metal-bound pine campaign chest in its original paint, handwritten on front "HM T...he King Royal Norfolk Yeomanry".
Dating C:1902 believed to belong to Edward VII.

I am so happy to share the details of a very talented pair  as today's Sourcebook Dealer of the Week! Inspired Furniture was founded by Mark and Joe, two old school friends both with over 25 years experience in the antique furniture trade. With their combined knowledge, skill and passion they bring new life to old and vintage furniture. What could be more inspiring!

Early 20th Century salt-glazed trough

Inspired Furniture restore and up-cycle to bring you unique, affordable and eco-friendly furniture that will enhance any home. They are happy to restore or repaint any furniture you may already have and also welcome any commissions for bespoke furniture. Please ring or email to discuss your requirements. Visitors are very welcome by appointment to the Essex workshop.

 Inspired Furniture

Address: Unit 16, Goulds Farm, Duck End Green, Rayne, Essex. 
Telephone: 07883 408 395 
Email: info@inspired-furniture.com 
Website: www.inspired-furniture.com

They have such a passion for recycling and love breathing new life into reclaimed wood by turning it into beautiful frames for mirrors. With love and quality craftsmanship, each mirror is made individually by hand, ensuring each mirror is unique. This is just one way that they have transformed previously unwanted pieces of wood, take a look at their facebook page for more examples of their work. Their website will be up and running soon, I will be sure to keep you posted when it is!

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