Guides & journal
Notes from the showroom
A little of what we’ve learned from years among beautiful old things — how to buy them, care for them, and live with them.
How to care for antique furniture
Simple, practical advice for keeping antique wood, finishes and upholstery looking their best for generations.
Read the guide →Buying antiques: a beginner’s guide
What to look for, why patina matters, and how buying from a dealer works — a friendly introduction for first-time buyers.
Read the guide →Decorating with antiques: mixing old and new
How to bring character and soul to a modern home by pairing antique pieces with contemporary interiors.
Read the guide →Antique furniture periods explained: Georgian to Art Deco
A friendly guide to the great periods of English furniture — how to tell Georgian from Victorian, Edwardian from Art Deco, and what to look for.
Read the guide →A guide to French antique furniture
Louis XV, Louis XVI, Empire and provincial French pieces — the styles behind the French decorative furniture we love, and how to spot them.
Read the guide →Thinking of selling antiques? A simple guide
How to sell antique furniture and manage a house clearance — what sells, how valuations work, and how selling to a dealer works.
Read the guide →What’s my antique worth? How antiques are valued
The things that decide an antique’s value — condition, patina, provenance, rarity and demand — and how to get a piece valued.
Read the guide →How to care for antique and vintage jewellery
Gentle, practical ways to clean, wear and store antique and vintage jewellery so it keeps its sparkle and lasts for generations.
Read the guide →How to care for antique silver
Cleaning, polishing and storing antique silver the right way — how to keep it gleaming without wearing away the very thing that makes it special.
Read the guide →How to care for gilt mirrors and gilded frames
Gilding is delicate. Here’s how to dust, handle and hang antique gilt mirrors and frames without harming that lovely golden finish.
Read the guide →How to care for antique and rare books
How to store, handle and protect old and antiquarian books — light, damp, shelving and gentle handling to keep them readable for centuries.
Read the guide →Antique gift ideas: presents with history
Thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift ideas for every budget — from small antique treasures to statement pieces, with a story no high-street present can match.
Read the guide →A guide to Asian antiques: Chinese and Japanese decorative arts
An introduction to Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer and Asian hardwood furniture — what to look for, and how these pieces have long found a home in English interiors.
Read the guide →How to care for antique ceramics and porcelain
Practical advice for handling, washing and displaying antique china safely — from crazed glazes to gilded rims and old repairs.
Read the guide →A day out in Arundel
Make a day of your visit — the castle, the cathedral, riverside walks and where to eat.
Read the guide →