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Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, creators of eco-friendly, breathable paint talk to us about colour trends and how to create timeless interiors.
Top tips from the team at Edward Bulmer
As consumers, we are inundated with headlines on trends and new colours in glossy magazines and on Instagram. At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint we are advocates of simply choosing colours you love that will stand the test of time. Most of these trends are already recycled from a period in history or modern culture and many of us have seen several different iterations of such in our lifetimes.
When planning an interior, we all want to achieve the perfect balance – a space that feels fresh and will stand the test of time. Our founder, leading interior designer and eco-worrier, Edward Bulmer, believes there is both a science and art to creating colour. Edward has created a timeless collection where every colour has its place, and all have absolute relevance and resonance whatever the style of your home.
There are some principles of colour rules that won’t ever change, whatever the trend when it comes to colour. Uniquely, the Edward Bulmer exquisite range of 102 colours and the new ‘Shade Collection’ are all made from just 12 natural pigments. This creates a patina alive with pure colour and because they all come from the same natural sources, the colours are all in tonal harmony with each other.
Rather than whitewashing your home, it's much more interesting and personal to use a variety of paint colours and shades in different spaces. The key to clever colour is creating flow within your home or scheme, all the colours just ‘work’ together whether using the ‘Shades’ and creating neutral interiors or bolder designs full of colour.
So you can feel confident choosing colours, from the punchy ‘Pompadour’ to smoky pink ‘Nicaragua’, to ‘Ethereal Blue’ and ‘Lilac Pink’. The most important factor is to choose colours you love; you may start with a fabric or a piece of furniture and there are some colours which of course enhance those elements in a room. As far as trends go, the company are seeing a definite rise in customers choosing bolder colours and pairing them with other more contrasting colours.
Emma Bulmer, head of colour consultancy at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, recommends pairing dusky pinks with deeper hues like ‘Pompadour’ or ‘Nicaragua’ as ‘it creates a high contrast and adds some drama while remaining soft and tonally consistent’. Wall to wall, room to room – the effect of natural paint is as remarkable in ultramodern interiors as in Georgian stately home and just as obvious in the neutral shades as in the bright, strong colours.
Of course, we should not discount the Instagram effect with the spotlight on different rooms and colours. The use of colour in specific rooms trends daily and there has been a massive rise in popularity of colours like plaster pink ‘Jonquil’, ‘Trumpington’ and ‘Invisible Green’, the latter two notably at the farmhouse owned by Rita Konig.
Image credit: Guiaro Design
Edward Bulmer also advises how yellows are a great hallway and passage colour for walls but it also depends on what pigment base the yellow is made up of – ‘Halls and passages work well with ochre-based tones while a bright mineral yellow can articulate the volume of a living room to great effect. Just bear in mind that starved of light, yellows can seem a bit green to the green. There are, however, ways to make this hue look contemporary: juxtaposed with clear white, it looks fresh and confident. Deep and slightly tobacco-like shades can lend a chic, suede feel to a room, especially if you tie it in with a complementary trim.'
The tobacco yellow ‘Trumpington’ is pictured in a hallway scheme by colour consultants Charlotte Crofts and Emma Bulmer. A classic look, with warmth and mood-boosting power of sunny tones for a vibrant feel.
A timeless colour pairing which must always be seen, Pink and Green! And in fact, Edward Bulmer’s favourite combination, as many know from his own music room scheme in soft green ‘Pomona’. Greens are very popular for creating calm interiors, Edward is known for his versatile greens from soft to the stronger ‘Invisible Green’, a modern icon! It creates the perfect backdrop for an eclectic mix of fabrics and textures and goes with any colour. This bold statement colour has an extraordinary softness and warmth and is packed full of pigment.
Apple Green, styled by Lorfords Antiques
Next, the blues which run the whole gamut of shades, from Prussian Blue ‘Ethereal Blue’ to our deep jewel ‘Azurite’, are chosen by many to create a classic or contemporary scheme and are never cold.
Pinks have certainly been amongst the most popular with bestsellers including ‘Jonquil’, ‘Lilac Pink’, ‘Cuisse de Nymphe Emue’ and the new ‘Mason Pink’ seen in the image below styled by Lorfords Antiques.
Edward’s top tip, use ‘Jonquil’ downstairs and ‘Cuisse de Nymphe Emue’ upstairs. But it is all down to personal preference and the aspect and size of a room.
Pink has long been used to great effect by architects including Robert Adam. The key to a timeless interior is to ensure they are neither too sugary, blue, babyish or garish. Emma Bulmer also says of pink and blue schemes, ‘another surprising pairing with pinks, are the deeper blues; the pink tones often darker ones such as Indigo, Azurite or the steely Cerullian Blue, a pairing often seen in fabrics designs.’
If you are choosing colours, whether a neutral and tonal scheme or using deeper colours you cannot go wrong with the natural paints from Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. The unrivalled response to light and pigment-rich colours are timeless and their truly sustainable provenance makes them the right decision for the future.
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Find out about the NEW colour consultancy service, taking all the hard work out of choosing colours and creating that sought-after timeless palette: In Home and Virtual consultations are available. Your dream paint schedule is just a click away.
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Visit Edward Bulmer Natural Paint's website or follow them on Instagram.
Written by Jon Woods, Marketing Manager at Lorfords Contemporary
Google tells us... "Instagram is considered to be the best social media platform for engagement or your ability as a brand to connect with your followers. It's visual, simple and it attracts the younger generations more than other social media platforms. The perfect marketing tool”.
This is all true. But what happens when your account is hacked? How perfect is it then?
Unfortunately, last month Lorfords Contemporary's account did get hacked. We received a seemingly innocent message asking for us to support a follower who had entered a competition. All that was required was for us to vote by clicking a button. Within seconds, we lost all access to our account.
So, what do you do in a situation like this? Research has established that an Instagram hack happens every 39 seconds. You would imagine there would be a standard procedure to deal with these problems. Don’t do that.
The first step
Obviously, our priority was to ensure that our followers and trusted partners were safe, and their privacy stayed intact. Our first port of call was to get in contact with Instagram, and their parent company Meta, to report that we had been hijacked and ask them to retrieve our account for us. Seems simple! Unfortunately, we ran into a brick wall pretty much immediately.
The main method Instagram uses to retrieve accounts is using facial recognition; rather difficult when all your pictures are of lovely furniture, so this wasn’t an option for us. We then tried to speak with someone rather than a machine but again our efforts came to nothing. After bombarding Instagram, Facebook and Meta with numerous messages, this is when it felt that the computer said “No!”. We really were getting nowhere. This was confirmed when Facebook commerce support acknowledged our situation and said we may not be able to gain access to our account again. We did however, get the account frozen. This meant no posts or messages could be sent. A small, but important, win.
The dead end
Having reached a dead end through the proper support channels, we started to investigate other options. Seemingly, the most hopeful avenue appeared to be to employ the services of an ethical hacker, they advertise themselves as the saviours of those who own jeopardised accounts. We opened into a dialogue with one of these ‘good’ hackers. However, as the conversation evolved, it all seemed a little too dubious for us, so we rejected this approach.
With no real alternative available, and with growing frustration at our lack of social media presence, we made the difficult decision to start afresh. We know it will take time to rebuild our following, but it’s the hit we have had to take. We are now in the process of getting our old account shut down. We did this because we believe we are doing what is best for our trusted customer base and the future of our business.
Anyway, as far as we are concerned this matter is now behind us and as we now start to look forward, we are thrilled to share all the new and exciting things we have coming up over the next few months.
Please do follow our renewed fully secure account @lorfords_contemporary to discover our newest offers, collaborations and business developments.
Rant over!
Jon
Marketing Manager, Lorfords Contemporary
Sunday 5 June 2022, World Environment Day, is the biggest international awareness day for the environment. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1974. The event has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with millions of people from across the world engaging to protect the planet.
Protecting the environment and understanding our short roles as trustees of the natural world is important to us here at Lorfords. We are on our own journey to become as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. Antiques, by their very nature, are reusable and eco-friendly. They are pre-loved items, regularly passed from generation to generation and often made from natural materials.
We work closely with like-minded brands, with a mission to create products that are for both people and planet. And none more so than our friends at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint who create beautiful paints backed up by ecological principles.
Edward Bulmer, founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, has put 30 years’ experience into creating his paint brand. He is a self-confessed ‘eco-worrier’ (yes, worrier) with a drive to create paints that drastically reduce plastic pollution, carbon emissions and poor air quality. His mission is to change the paint industry with a solution for regenerative manufacturing based on ecology. The protection of nature’s biodiversity is at the core of all their product development.
As it is World Environment Day this week, we asked Edward and his team to take over our blog and tell us all about the natural paint world. We wanted to know what we should be looking out for and how we can help make our homes as sustainable as possible. So, over to them!
Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Eco-friendly paint?
When choosing paint, it’s becoming evident that the contents might not always be exactly what it says on the tin! Many claim to be ‘eco-friendly’ or contain low levels of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) but when you look further, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Greenwashing is a big issue in the design and paint industry and at this present time it’s so important to get the facts right. We have noticed a rise in the practice of greenwashing which is extremely misleading for consumers. Like whitewashing, it is a device used to deflect ‘heat’, in this case to give the impression that something embodies an intent to be ecologically or environmentally responsible – the term many use is ‘eco-friendly’.
Basically, paint is called eco-friendly when it is water-based, despite almost all paints containing resin binders that are forms of acrylic, vinyl or alkyd – all polymers that are derived from petro-chemicals. Also, all paint is water based, that is how paint is made! So, while the world’s governments now accept that using fossil fuels, fossil sources and petro-chemicals must be reduced to be eco-friendly and address the climate emergency, the paint and coatings industry is not keeping up.
We have always strived to give our customers as much information as possible for them to make an informed decision. We are the only paint brand on the market that uses plant-based binders. The alternative is a polymer derived binder, which is full of micro-plastics and other nasties. We use our plant-based binder to bring all our natural ingredients together and then inject this base white paint with a combination of our mineral and earth pigments.
Antiques
Using antiques in your home is the ultimate upcycling and celebrates vintage pieces that are unique and beautiful. Antiques are often made from natural materials which then change and evolve over time. Edward often thinks about antiques and paint in the same view. For example if you think about a wonderful piece of antique furniture, most people will enquire about how it should be looked after. If you have bought a lovely old house, isn’t it the same thing? Therefore, using natural and carefully created paints should be an easy decision!
To find out more, please read our interview with Edward Bulmer here.
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Meet us at our NEW Showroom: 194 Ebury Street, London, SW1W 8UP
In conversation with: Edward Bulmer
Eco-worrier, interior designer and founder of his eponymous natural paint brand
For 30 years, Edward Bulmer has worked in some of Britain’s finest buildings. As a leading interior designer, architectural historian and ‘colour expert’, he is renowned for restoring heritage buildings, and bringing his design ingenuity to the creation of modern living spaces surrounded by character.
Bulmer is an expert in conservation too. And it is this that motivates him. His years of interior and architectural experience have resulted in his creation of Edward Bulmer Paints, a natural paints brand that cares for the environment.
We joined Edward to talk about colour, his experience and passions. It has been a delight to gain insight into one of the most interesting interior design minds in the country.
You are first and foremost an interior designer. How do you feel that this experience set you up for adding paint-maker to your list of accomplishments?
“Really because first and foremost I am an eco-worrier. It pains me that interior design is so wasteful and disregarding of its impact on people and the planet.
I used to do my eco-worrying through charitable activity but realised that if I directed my energies to something I knew about from long experience, that I could make more difference. Modern paints are petro-chemical preparations. Our paints are plant-based preparations. Replace the former with the latter and you can have a major reduction in plastic pollution, carbon emissions and poor air quality.”
You mostly focus on historic home and heritage restoration projects. What fascinates you most about these buildings?
“All of life is there! They encapsulate the human endeavor of generations of occupants, craftsmen and designers. They are endlessly adaptable and repairable, so like antiques they are sustainable provided the associated energy use to maintain them is kept in check.”
Image by Lorfords Antiques
When you walk into a room, do you immediately understand what colours will work in that room, or is it a process that takes time and patience?
“On the whole, yes. I divide rooms between those of passage and those of dwelling. The former (halls, corridors, stairs, etc) were painted simply with ‘common’ colours in the past and I believe our default ‘evolutionary aesthetic’ is based on this – warm whites, greys, stones and pale pinks derived from earth pigments.
Rooms for dwelling would be treated more richly and fashionably with mineral pigments used to obtain stronger colours and wallpapers and fabrics introducing deeper hues.
Fundamentally though, colour is a preference but the tonality of the chosen colour is key and that is the service that I give and now our paint range provides.”
You work on stunning renovations of houses full of natural character. How do you recommend adding character to younger buildings – to a mid-century house in the country for example?
“Colour is the obvious answer – but it need not be wall colour – it can be on joinery or on pieces you acquire. Often the patina of an old painted or polished surface of an antique can punch above its weight in bringing your room a sense of calm and historic resonance.”
How challenging is it to design a modern / contemporary feel whilst retaining or adding character too?
“Anything is a challenge if you are trying too hard! Don’t be too self-conscious. Use and buy what you like, but if you are combining pieces look for a tonal unity and try to ensure a similar level of design quality and integrity.”
Do you have any favourite antiques pieces that you have placed recently?
“The last things I bought from Lorfords give me pleasure every day because I used them here at home rather than on a client project.
The first was a Louis XVI style writing table (see image below) with very chic geometrical marquetry and the second was a pair of large fluted Doric columns which now dress the frontispiece on the west façade of the house!”
Image by Paul Whitbread
Do you think that handcrafted British furniture is the future of interior design in this country?
“I sure hope so – whether new or old. For my work I have always sought to use native timber, traditional construction and the minimum of sheet material. But it is hard for cabinet makers to compete against producers who don’t do this because they can ‘outsource’ the polluting and exploitative effects of waste, poor labour conditions and manmade materials to offer us ‘cheap’ prices.
We are all culpable here! Recycling, repurposing, upcycling, antique collecting, bespoke commissioning would be the stuff of a bright future for interior design.”
You have spent years perfecting your very own plant-based paint. How did you feel when you were finally able to launch your paints onto the market?
“I started by using the paints on client projects with my own skilled painters. Gradually we launched to the wider market and realised that modern plastic paints had made builders and painters lazy with expectations of paint that were being met with a cocktail of petro-chemicals.
So we worked with our manufacturers to develop paints that could outperform modern paints but only require plant derivatives for their formulation. We have played a long game and that has worked in our favour as the market has professed ‘green’ credentials for longer than customers have really cared.
Now the worm is turning and the value of natural paint is being recognised as an easy win in reducing the carbon footprint and pollution impact of building projects. This month we open our first shop, though we continue to sell and supply our paints online, it will be great to have a place where customers and designers can come and see for themselves the revolution that is going on in house paint.”
Your paint is made from natural raw materials that are responsibly sourced and you have made your manufacturing process as eco-friendly as it can possibly be. Your passion for protecting our environment is a wonderful thing. What top three tips can you share for those of us who would like to create a more sustainable interior without breaking the bank?
- Do it once and do it well.
- Ask your supplier to take responsibility for their packaging.
- Always ask for the ingredients/materials used in what you are buying and ensure the principle of repairability that antiques have.
If you can pick a favourite colour out of your collection, which would it be and why?
“Aquatic is a great example of a colour that has weight and drama. It hovers between blue and green, providing a great backdrop for all sorts of pieces.”
Image by Lorfords Antiques
Where do you take your inspiration from?
“The long history of paint making. With the exception of the last 100 years, we have used natural materials for 40,000 years. The basic 12 earth and mineral pigments we use have been known about for millennia. They are as useful today as they have always been and my work as an interior designer leads me to concentrate on colours that I believe work as part of successful productions, rather than seeking to be the main event.”
What are your predictions for the future colour mixes over the next 12-24 months?
“As you will gather I believe that what goes around comes around. I do think that good mid to deep tonal browns may have a resurgence. They can create atmosphere, straddle the urban/rural divide and flatter your furnishings.”
Do you have any tips for bringing light into a room and at the same time, attempting to create an opulent feel?
Insert a Venetian window! Like this one at Lorfords for instance, or any ornamental reclaimed window.
Join Edward Bulmer on his Create Academy course
Edward Bulmer has teamed up with lifestyle learning platform Create Academy to launch a course on colour, teaching you how to achieve harmony and cohesion throughout any interior scheme. We have secured L-Shaped readers with 15% off the course ‘A guide to pigments, paints and palettes’ at createacademy.com. Use code ‘LORFORDS15’ when booking.
Leading image: credit Andrew Crowley
Edward Bulmer has poured over 30 years of experience into every tin, creating beautiful colours backed up by ecological principles.
The plant-based recipes offer more than just a colour choice; the paints are highly breathable, healthy with no harmful VOCs or microplastics.
Historically resonant yet robust for modern living, these pigment rich paints give outstanding coverage. They are easy to apply and create an unrivalled finish.
Beautifully, breathable colours are backed up by ecological principles which are kind to both people and planet.
All the paints are freshly mixed to order and delivered directly to your door. New flagship store open from 9th May at 194, Ebury St, SW1W 8UP
Thyme shares the perfect winter salad recipe this month. Andrea at Last Drop Wines recommends two wines to accompany this fresh and delicious salad, a dry Riesling from Pfalz and an unlikely Pinot Gris from Oregon.
Notes from Andrea
'Apple, kohlrabi, speck, fennel and hazelnut - I feel like breaking into the song "These are a few of my favourite things!"
Truthfully, salads are rarely my thing however this one is right up my street. Favourite foods deserve equal favourites from the cellar. I have selected two wines: a dry Riesling from Pfalz, Oliver Zeter 2020 and an unlikely Pinot Gris from Oregon. Why two, because it has been a long weekend and I am feeling indecisive or I feel exceptionally thirsty? Both wines were tried with the salad and between four at the table, no one could call a clear favourite.
Please no pre-judgements on Riesling as it must be sweet. This isn't, and for most of my customers, it has become a repeat buy. The bear on the label has an enchanting background. It is a representation of the winemaker's grandfather by one of his longstanding drinking friends, who was an illustrator. It is always good to have talented friends and talented winemakers. The brothers are full of talent and good all-rounders as is this wine with some tropical fruit notes (melon) and a glorious freshness in the finish. When your salad is finished, you will be happy to have another bottle in reserve.
The Pinot Gris from Portlandia is a bit of a unicorn wine - a wine that I wasn't looking for but once tasted I had to have within the collection. Think pears, honeysuckle, great minerality and a whisper of cinnamon. They are so many combinations of goodness: apples and pears, pears and speck, cinnamon and apples, all the above with a minerality to add to the exciting crunch.'
Place your order
Both wines are available for purchase through Andrea, the Riesling is available at £20 per bottle and the Pinot Gris is available at £30 per bottle.
Please send orders through to hello@lastdropwines.com.
Our online shopping system is coming soon! It will be available at www.lastdropwines.com.
Discover Last Drop Wines
An 'Aladdin's cave for wine-lovers,' you will find Last Drop Wines on the famous King's Road in Chelsea. The store is owned and led by Andrea, whose expertise can recommend and provide a bottle for any occasion.
View all seasonal recipes and wine pairings on L-Shaped.
Onlookers all over the world have long admired the French art de vivre. The French bistro is a core part of this 'art of living,' alongside their leading fashion houses and pâtisseries. Although modest in price and relaxed in atmosphere, bistros are effortlessly chic.
Defining the French bistro
The French bistro’s cultural significance extends far beyond the food. Indeed, these establishments are as much a part of Parisian culture as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame. That’s the argument of those who want them to be awarded intangible cultural heritage status by UNESCO. For loyal customers, their regular bistro offers comfort and authenticity. This is especially important amidst the rise of big chains and gentrification.
Bistros sit somewhere between a café and a restaurant. They have a relaxed atmosphere and serve moderately priced food, wine and coffee throughout the day and evening. We recognise them for their courtyards and terraces, crowded with small circular tables and folding chairs. Yet, the bistro is so much more than the sum of its parts.
These spaces have acted as melting pots throughout history, bringing together people from all walks of life. You will find a close relationship between owners and customers, with diners often returning on a daily basis. They have served as writing meccas; the famous Les Deux Magots attracted Hemingway and Sartre amongst other literary greats. Their walls have overheard fevered discussions on politics, philosophy, romance and gossip.
Today, bistros are a spot for dining alone, with close friends, or for making new acquaintances. They are a people-watching haven, with seats arranged side by side rather than opposing, so everyone can take in the bustle of the cobbled street. Aside from anything else, the French bistro is a major social institution. So, where did this vast cultural legacy begin?
The start of the French restaurant scene
French café culture sprung from social upheavals and entrepreneurialism. The French revolution and the industrial revolution solidified the bistro concept we know today. This is not to say that restaurants didn’t exist before, however. The oldest Parisian café is thought to be Café Procope, which opened in the early 1600s. It was defined by its small tables with marble tops – now staples of French bistro style. Voltaire was rumoured to drink around 40 cups of coffee a day in this famous café.
Nonetheless, before the French revolution there were estimated to be fewer than 50 restaurants in the city. When the households of the rich were dispersed following the revolution, lots of talented chefs were left looking for work. Many returned to their home villages, whilst others flocked to the poorer parts of cities and towns. It was these individuals, through their changing fortunes, who became the first French bistro and restaurant chefs. The impact was major; one French travel guide listed 3,000 dining options in the city in 1814.
The bistro concept evolves
The bistro concept would continue to evolve in light of new advances. In their infancy, bistros were very modest and informal in comparison to the grand Paris restaurants. Indeed, some early bistros started with landlords, who already offered board to tenants, opening to the paying public too.
Bistros operated on a menu of about four or five dishes that could be prepared in large quantities and ahead of time, such as cassoulet, confit, or stew. They would serve some wine, usually from a barrel rather than a bottle. The bistro has evolved, but its core principles have remained more or less unchanged. The name itself supposedly came from the Russian and Cossack officers who occupied Paris in 1814. These unruly men would bang on restaurant tables, yelling bistro! (quickly!) at the long-suffering servers.
Not all cultural developments came out of war and revolution, however. In the 1800s, courtyard and sidewalk bistro seating really took off. This was down to the urban planning of one Baron Haussman, who designed wide boulevards with spacious pedestrianised pavements. The bistro started to expand onto the street – now a crucial part of its culture.
Later, the jollities of the Belle Époque saw bistros become more decorative to suit the zeitgeist. Indeed, plenty of wonderful mirrors and glassware survive from this period. However, it was the industrial revolution that really transformed the bistro in one defining aspect – the furniture.
French bistro furniture
Bistros are at the humbler end of France’s art de vivre, in comparison to, say, the Christian Dior flagship store. Nonetheless, the French taste for finer things required bistro furniture to be attractive as well as functional.
Marble-topped tables remain an emblem of French bistro furniture. Industrial revolution brought decorative iron bases to these tables, often with cross-stretchers so that you could fold them away at the end of the day. You find plenty of wrought-iron chairs, too, but styles varied depending on the bistro’s personal aesthetic.
The names behind the designs
Bistro chairs and tables are not just mass-produced functional pieces, but often important pieces of design too. For example, Thonet’s bistro chair, designed in 1859, is an industry icon. He made it using just six pieces of wood, held together by two nuts and ten screws. Not only was it in high demand for bistros, but it also won a gold prize for design excellence at the Paris Exhibition in 1869.
Articulated furniture was widely sought after. By stacking away courtyard furniture at the end of the day, business owners could avoid paying the rent for a fixed terrace. Manufacturers like Fermob led the way in producing this furniture en masse. Fermob's bistro collections still follow Edouard Leclerc’s 1889 ‘Simpex’ patent to this day. This metal folding chair has become a staple, spotted everywhere you go in France and elsewhere in the world.
Exotic woods were coveted in Europe during the 19th Century. Rattan became a prevalent material for bistro furniture, with its lightness and durability ideal for outdoor use. Maison Louis Drucker, founded in Paris in 1885, were the main producers of rattan bistro furniture. The company is still in operation today and a stalwart of fine French craftsmanship.
Keeping it personal
Regardless of style and material, bistro furniture provided an opportunity for branding. So many beautiful eateries line the streets of France, clamouring for the attention of passers-by. Lots of bistros adopted a signature look to help them stand out on these busy sidewalks. Some furniture sets were very ornate and others much more pared back. Some show remains of old vibrant paint, whilst others kept the wood or iron bare. Whilst some examples may feature the name of the bistro painted on, others might have incorporated a logo or name into the wood or metalwork itself.
Bringing the bistro style to you
When customers returned to the terraces of Parisian bistros after French lockdowns, the heart of the city was restored. It is hard to capture the spirit of these social hubs, but you can bring the French bistro style closer to home. Because bistro furniture sets have been prevalent since the 19th Century, many antique examples survive. Furniture companies today seek to replicate this iconic style - a testament to its longevity - but you can’t beat the character of the originals.
Wonderful indoors or out, marble-topped bistro tables and folding chairs suit a range of styles. They are particularly useful when you have an influx of guests and need a few more seats. To truly transport yourself across the channel, use bistro mirrors and signage indoors. Outdoors, create your own Parisian courtyard with a few sets of bistro tables and chairs and antique lanterns. Bistro glassware has a classic timeless aesthetic, without the airs and graces.
Visit our lookbook 'French bistro chic' to spark your imagination. You can browse all of our bistro style antiques on our website.
If you love all things French, read our articles on collecting confit pots and Arras iron furniture.
"I'm looking for drama in my interiors. That means pieces with great shapes, rich textures, and patina, patina, patina!" This week, we chat to none other than The Antiques Diva herself, Toma Clark-Haines.
Q: The antiques industry has rapidly evolved during the pandemic. What key lessons have you taken away?
A: People do business with people. The world may have gone virtual, but buyers want to connect with the people behind the brands and customer interaction is more important than ever. One of the things we teach in our Antique Dealer Training and Mentoring Program is that dealers need to be the face of their brand in order to connect with their buyers. The connection is important. As a result, video content is key- especially when working with the American market. We work with dealers to develop a video content strategy that connects with their target audience.
Early in the pandemic, I made the bold move to share my personal diary during quarantine on republicoftoma.com. In my blog posts, I spoke about day-to-day life in quarantine. I was vulnerable, open, and real. I confessed the struggles I was going through being alone in lockdown in Italy. It seemed a strange "marketing move," but my business doing antique buying tours has been really disrupted, so I needed to find a way to stay relevant. I stayed relevant by being real. I discussed what was going on in my life at the time.
Also, I pivoted The Antiques Diva to incorporate virtual tours, long-distance buying and selling services, brand-coaching, and more. When you can't go outside, you go in. I started painting again and will be launching a fabric collection in June 2021 at High Point Market. One of the most important lessons I've learned has been about supply and demand. Between Brexit and the pandemic, there is a shortage of inventory on the market. Brits are having problems securing inventory from France because the French are having problems securing inventory from house clearings due to Covid restrictions. Auction houses are experiencing higher volumes of traffic and prices are surging.
In these times, dealers need to think smart. They have to be strategic. I often speak about the gentrification of antiques. What's on the market at a lower price point? Antiques dealers are the arbiters of style- what they sell, interior designers buy, and home décor trends emerge.
Q: Your finger is always on the pulse when it comes to interior trends, are you predicting any revivals in the near future?
A: Asian antiques are killing it right now. With Brits facing difficulties sourcing antiques on the continent, and normal trade routes drying up during the pandemic, our British buyers are relying upon Antiques Diva Asia to bring South East Asian Antiques into Europe. We are watching a global movement of inventory in a different fashion to previous years. For three years I've been predicting this will be the trend, and based upon sales my predictions have finally come true. Combine Brexit sourcing difficulties with a pandemic that doesn't allow people to travel and we've all got island fever! Americans have been embracing this wanderlust vibe for the last several years. Buying exotic touches from faraway places allows us to travel in our own homes.
Speaking of homes, we are selling more practical items. Tables, chairs, sofas, side tables, and even armoires. Remember when armoires were all the rage? And then dropped out of fashion with the advent of the flat-screen TV? Well, they are back as people are seeking storage spaces, particularly for their home office. Tables that can be converted into desks have also been big sellers. Art sales have also increased significantly... perhaps we're all tired of looking at the same four walls?
In these times, dealers need to think smart. They have to be strategic. I often speak about the gentrification of antiques. What's on the market at a lower price point? Antiques dealers are the arbiters of style- what they sell, interior designers buy, and home décor trends emerge.
Q: Furnishing an interior, especially from scratch, can be daunting. Where should you start?
A: In the last 20 years, I've moved eight times within four countries. I always start with the lighting in a new home. Lighting is the jewellery of the room and sets the vibe of a space. When it comes to lighting, it's got to be Italian. From lighting, I then look at pieces with fabulous lines. In love- as well as in antiques- opposites attract. I love a low-slung sofa combined with sexy legs on a French bergère, or the long voluptuous lines of a chaise longue. I'm looking for drama in my interiors, and that means pieces with great shapes, rich textures, and patina, patina, patina!
I always start with the lighting in a new home. Lighting is the jewellery of the room and sets the vibe of a space. When it comes to lighting, it's got to be Italian.
Q: The Antiques Diva is more or less global and pre-pandemic you travelled a lot. What made you settle in Venice?
A: Love. No, not a man. Venice itself. I fell in love with Venice. When I was a child I dreamt of Venice. I had a black and white swimming suit I would wear standing in my bathtub with a yellow broom and I would swish the water and pretend I was a gondolier. When I first moved from America to Europe 20+ years ago, I visited Venice and was disappointed. It was crowded and hot and I hated it. Years later I returned for work with The Antiques Diva & Co and made Venetian friends. They let me inside Venice. The real Venice. There are two Venices. The city the tourists know and the city that lays beyond. Venice is like an onion- you have to peel back the layers to get to the core of the city. I liked the adventure of peeling back the layers.
When I divorced, I found myself frequently going to Venice because it made me happy. I would wander the canals and alleys and get so lost. In getting lost I found myself again. I was living in Berlin at the time and realized that because my job was global, so long as I had a laptop and a plane ticket I could live anywhere. Moving to Venice was the best decision of my life.
Q: When did your passion for antiques start?
My parents didn't have much money, but my mom had great style. She would scour the flea markets, thrift stores, and second-hand markets for fabulous finds from the past. One of her most prized possessions was the silver her grandparents- my great-grandparents- brought with them on the boat when they moved from England to America. I joke I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth- literally. We used the "good silver" every day because my mom's dad always said that there is no silver polish like the patina of daily use. My mom was a second-generation American. Meanwhile, my father's family fought in the Revolutionary War.
I moved to Europe 20+ years ago- first to Paris, then Amsterdam, then to Berlin, before moving to Venice three years ago - I brought the family silver with me and continue to use it every day. I've always seen antiques as another way of travelling; they take you on a voyage to other times and other places.
When I was young I would go with mom to garage sales and she would give me four quarters- $1- to spend. I was rich. For four quarters I could buy a Barbie doll, or a fantastic REAL teapot to play tea party with. I realised at a young age that you could get more for your money at garage sales. I never understood why I would buy new when there were such fabulous treasures for a $1. And more to the point- I could sell what I bought at a garage sale for the same price I paid! If I bought a new Barbie it immediately lost value and had the same value as the used one I purchased.
When I moved to Paris in my 20s with my then-husband, it was second nature to shop the brocantes and vide-greniers. I decorated my fifth-floor walk-up apartment with Paris flea market treasures. I was hooked. Bitten by the fleas.
Q: What prompted you to start your podcast, The Business of Antiques?
When people ask me what I do, I say "I'm in the business of antiques." My company, The Antiques Diva & Co, has always had a mission: to make antiques fun, sexy, modern, relevant, accessible, and PROFITABLE. Most of our clients in America are trade clients and buying for re-sell. If my clients sell well, they buy well, so I began giving clients tips on how to increase their sales. I realised quickly that most people who go into antiques go into the profession because they love antiques- NOT because they understand how to run a successful business.
I launched my Antique Dealer Training and Mentoring Program as well as our Antiques Diva marketing services. We help dealers to build websites, create marketing templates, and offer social media services. We introduce dealers to potential buyers to help them be more successful in their business. The podcast was developed to continue to support our audience and help them to make antiques more profitable.
Q: How do you unwind when you're not running your Antiques Diva Empire?
Pre-Covid I would have said hopping on a plane and going someplace warm and sunny, with a good book and a great spa. Post-Covid, it's simpler times. I live in Venice, so I take long walks in the fog in the early morning. I am learning Italian and take classes four days a week. My mouth is learning the acrobatics required to pronounce those Rs! I love to cook and always set a gorgeous table (even when dining for one). I read and write a lot!
I've been fortunate because even though gyms are closed throughout Italy due to Covid, my gym allows you to book private sessions so you have the entire gym to yourself and your trainer. I have weekly calls with my dear friend Gail McLeod- our head Antiques Diva agent in the UK and founder of Antique News and Fairs. Somehow, when you talk to a friend you feel like anything is possible. Friends and cats! Those are great solutions for unwinding. I have two cats named Fortuny and FIorella, and they are the naughtiest kittens in Venice- but also the most fun. I've trained them to walk on leashes so they go with me on my strolls. One of the nicest things about Venice at this time is that I have the city to myself. It's a magical experience to be alone in Venice.
Q: What's your favourite location for an Antiques Diva buying tour?
Ooo la la. That's got to be the most difficult question I am asked. I LOVE all my tour countries. It's got to be France. Paris prices are at rock bottom at the moment. Provence is always king... or shall I say, Le Roi! Britain also delights because of the wide variety of inventory. Many British dealers have become dear friends and understand the American market so well- even better than the Americans. I love Chaing Mai Thailand for sourcing antiques and Bali is also beyond wonderful. Mamma Mia... did I forget Sweden? How can you ask me to choose? This is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child.
Q: Do you ever get creative or writer's block?
This past year I took a break from blogging on antiquesdiva.com for exactly that reason. During the pandemic, I lost my vision and needed time to think about where we were going next as a company. I took the decision to take a step back from blogging for antiques and focus on blogging on my website for our parent company republicoftoma.com. Only now, one year into the pandemic, do I feel like I'm getting my groove back! In general, my solution for writer's block is to do something else entirely to "forget" about what I'm trying to do. Once I stop forcing it, the words come naturally.
My favourite thing is my desk. It's a desk for a Diva- a French 18th Century marquetry bureau plat, with the most gorgeous ormolu mounts with the faces of women on all four corners. It's feminine yet powerful and reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Yasmin Mogahed. “Being both soft and strong is a combination very few have mastered.” It also reminds me of how I want to run my business and what type of CEO I want to be.
Q: What's your most treasured antique?
I mentioned my great-grandparents' silver earlier. My house is positively filled with antiques. But my favourite piece is my desk. It's a desk for a Diva- a French 18th Century marquetry bureau plat with the most gorgeous ormolu mounts, with the faces of women on all four corners. It's feminine yet powerful and reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Yasmin Mogahed. “Being both soft and strong is a combination very few have mastered.” It also reminds me of how I want to run my business and what type of CEO I want to be.
Q: What would our readers be surprised to learn about you?
I only pretend to be a Diva. Really I am a farm girl. Growing up, I lived on a ranch 30 miles from the nearest town. I learned to drive a pickup truck when I was 12 and a tractor when I was 14. I love adventure and I love horses, but I don't ride dressage- I ride Western. Although I once played polo in Buenos Aires, and it gave me a new respect for the thighs of English-style riders! I've played polo in Buenos Aires and jumped out of aeroplanes. I've gone elephant trekking in Myanmar and learned to steer my own elephant. Contrary to what you might expect, guiding an elephant is NOTHING like guiding a horse!!!
Q: What's your go-to comfort food dish?
Mamma Mia. I may live in Italy, and I may have attended cookery school in Paris in my 20's, but when it comes to comfort food I am a true American. I am a rancher's daughter. Give me a really rare steak and fries any day and you've got a very happy girl!
Q: What has been your best lockdown purchase?
A: Okay this question makes me realise I've been seriously remiss. I don't think I've made any indulgences (other than too much wine) in more than a year. Come to think of it, my wine cellar may be the benefactor of my best lockdown purchases. I decided mid-Covid life is too short to drink bad wine. After our first lockdown ended in the summer, I went to my favourite wine shop in Venice- Cantine del Vino già Schiavi- and informed them I needed to learn about wine. Rather than me choosing the wines, I asked them to prepare some palette teasers for me. The next day they delivered 36 bottles, each with a special nuance I need to taste. I'm working my way through their recommendations in a self-study wine course.
Q: What makes your house your home?
A: I fill my house with objects from my travels. The word 'souvenir' in French means 'travel memories.' And that's what you will find in my home. Memories. Memories of places visited, people whose lives have intersected with mine. The architecture of life. My house becomes a home when it's filled with living things- my cats, plants, friends, family, and laughter. My home is about long dinners and late nights. Lazy mornings in bed. The smell of coffee in the morning.
Some version of normality is returning and here at Lorfords Antiques we are looking forward to life beyond lockdown. We are focussing on providing the best possible service and continuing to be market-leading in what we do.
It’s been business as usual behind the scenes at Lorfords, with great sales figures for May and June which were heartening to see.
We want to give back to our clients and provide the ultimate Lorfords experience, whether that's online or in person. As a long-suffering high street faces an uncertain future, we are committed to offering something different and more sustainable.
Our approach has always been informal and friendly, but efficiency is a top priority at Lorfords. The concierge-style customer service, which allows you to try before you buy and have any purchase delivered, is continuing undeterred to make your buying experience as hassle-free and swift as possible.
Our two hangars at Babdown Airfield offer uninterrupted browsing in 35,000 square feet of showrooms. Both our shop on Tetbury high street and the hangars are Covid-secure for a safe and pleasant experience. Do come and have a look at our latest stock and chat to our team. We are always happy to see you!
Improving our online service
Our purpose has always been to modernise the way antiques are sold and to set ourselves apart from crowd. The industry has learned a great deal from the past few 
months and we want to operate at a higher level online. We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients and we want to make that relationship even more personal through a premier online service.
Here at Lorfords we seek to maximise the way decorative antiques are displayed and we are renowned for our presentation. Rest assured that no antique will be neglected in a dusty corner in our showrooms or online. Many of our consignments have a remarkable story to tell and we want our clients to be able to explore those from the comfort of their home. We are evolving our website beyond a catalogue to meet this need and to do justice to our stunning collection.
Our hangars provide unlimited inspiration to satisfy a range of decorative tastes. Lorfords is about antiques for beautiful homes and to get styling inspiration online, look no further than our digital Lookbooks. We style antiques from our collection by theme, from Mamma Mia to Portobello.
As we live in an increasingly digital world, you should have as much confidence and excitement when viewing an antique online as you do in one of our showrooms. Our collection is extensive, so check out Latest Arrivals to keep up to date with new stock coming through our doors each week. Here you will find the 150 new pieces uploaded to our website each week all in one place, so you don’t miss out on the perfect piece for your home.
Lorfords Luminaries
To emphasise the brilliance of our antiques, we will be photographing a range of items at Woodchester Mansion. These shoots will be taking place on a regular basis, with detailed descriptions to accompany each item. The majestic interiors at Woodchester provide a stunning setting to help you imagine an antique in context, creating the best possible viewing experience online. Our new digital approach will make the website more like a magazine, so that you gain more than a purchase.
We are looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces in our shop and hangars. We hope you are as excited as we are about what’s to come for Lorfords.
Watch this space!
Browse our latest lookbook, 'Eclectic Fusion,' for inspiration on styling antiques with more contemporary styles.