Alongside the re-opening of other ‘non-essential’ shops this week was one of Reading’s Sleeping Beauties . Fanny’s Antiques awoke from its lockdown state to the new normal and an appreciative audience of interior designers, stylists and general hunter-gatherer-types who couldn’t wait for it to open its doors again.

Propping

Fanny’s Antiques has been a great resource for several of my projects over the years from propping for Marie Claire to Homes & Gardens magazines as well as for commercial photographic shoots and private clients.

Brocante and homely antiques

If you are local to Reading, you may know of its reputation as an affordable and ever evolving treasure trove of homely brocante and antique finds. You can find everything from a painted chest of drawers for a nursery to a vintage sledge to handsome brown furniture.

Fanny’s antiques stall holders

Started in 1992 by Julia Lyons, Fanny’s Antiques has 25 stall holders who also happen to have some very interesting side-lines.

One is Chris Coates-Walker who runs the Antique French Chair and Sofa Co specialising in the import of French 19th Century Napoleon III chairs, sofas, day beds and ottomans.  Chris holds a stock of around 150 pieces at any one time. His clients include some of The Top 100 House & Garden interior designers as well as companies such as the Soho House group.

Another is Louise Spiers, a designer and specialist decorative painter who runs Kitsch-en-Sync. Louise sources and renovates vintage furniture for clients and specialises in some truly amazing decoupage by upcycling chests of drawers and trunks with fabric and paper.

Shop til you drop

Here’s what else I spotted this week (Fanny’s Antiques, 1 Lynmouth Road, Reading, RG1 8DE, Tel: 0118 950 8261, open 10.30 – 4 pm Mon to Sat, 12 – 4 pm Sundays) but get there fast, before it all goes!

Blog rewind

In case you missed them first time round, here are some other posts that might interest you:

• Sleeping Beauties
• Bespoke Antique Boxes
• Sustainable Interior Decorating
• Madrid’s Modern Antique Style
• Affordable Antique Chic
• Styling with Antiques
• Creating Chalet Chic With Bobbin Furniture
• What’s The Secret of Howe’s Interior Design Recipe?
• Arts & Crafts
• Best in Show at The House & Garden Art and Antiques Fair

Thank you

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With many thanks, Charis x