Articles by Lydia Blundell

The Windsor chair is known and loved far and wide, from its namesake town in England to the United States. This iconic chair represents all there is to love about antique furniture - from its rich history down to the simple, sturdy joinery that has allowed so many to survive. A potted history Windsor has not strayed far from our thoughts over the last month. The market town is on the River ...

When the mercury hit 40 back in July, many of us wished our homes were better equipped to deal with extreme heat. While we can’t transform a country cottage or London townhouse into a Provençal chateau overnight, we can still learn some design lessons from Mediterranean interiors. ‘Mediterranean design’ can be difficult to pin down - in part because this style actually borrows from all over th...

From the sun-soaked parasols of the Amalfi coast to crumpled sweetshop bags on the English Riviera, stripes are everywhere. They always have been, in various forms, but their presence feels particularly loud right now. Perhaps it's because we crave their unabashed joy in the midst of gloomy national and international developments, or because we’ve been busy whole-heartedly embracing summer af...

The art of collecting antiques is a diverse one, spanning everything from film memorabilia to 18th Century mahogany furniture. The areas that often fascinate the most are those that relate to the lives of everyday people - from their cooking and eating habits to their romantic lives. Apothecaries, with their promise to heal one’s aches and pains before the dawn of modern medicine, have left beh...

The 20th Century was an era of innovation and flair in the lighting sphere. Two post-war periods saw an influx of new materials as well as a desire to move away from traditional designs. This was the age of the Sputnik pendant, stunning Murano glass lamps, and a host of other revolutionary lighting designs. Humans and lighting For most of our history, we relied upon daylight, moonlight, and d...

More than ever, we are recognising the value of our gardens as outdoor rooms. The nights are drawing in and the temperature is dropping, but that doesn’t mean we have to abandon the garden until next summer. Alongside modern inventions like the mighty patio heater, antique lanterns are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere Let there be light The role of lanterns throughout history is well...

Traditionalists have lamented the downfall of ‘brown’ furniture in popular taste for decades. But like all great things, antique dark wood is making a comeback – and for good reason. What exactly is brown furniture? [caption id="attachment_3052" align="alignright" width="432"] 19th Century burr walnut gueridon.[/caption] Even the name is unfair, and frankly lazy. Brown furniture impl...

Our in-house restorer Dave knows all there is to know about restoring antiques and repairing any damage. He plays a crucial role in sustaining the life of our stock and making sure it can survive for future generations. He shares his dos and don'ts for materials we often encounter in the antiques world. Wicker Dave says… ‘Caned seats and backs, as well as whole wicker pieces, gradually disint...

There is no denying that antiques elevate our interiors in more ways than one. They connect us to the past and create unique spaces full of character. The often forgotten but equally important point is just how sustainable antiques are. The fast furniture crisis We spend a lot of time showing off our beautiful antiques here at Lorfords and too little time sharing how good for the planet they ...

Arras iron furniture has captivated generations of outdoor lovers with its quality construction and decorative appeal. Over 100 years since the Usine Saint-Sauveur factory closed, we celebrate the enormous legacy of the Arras iron foundries. You may have heard of the French town of Arras for plenty of reasons. Arras is the former capital of Artois in northern France, around an hour northeast...