Antiquexplorer June 2011 issue

Well we’ve broken a record at the ‘Explorer offices this month – compiling this entire issue in under a week to make way for our long awaited, annual Interiors Guide 2011/2012. There’s a considerable demand for the unusual, quirky and decorative, and our new guide is packed full of it. Click on the above link to view the Flip Book version and see how easy it is to shop online with these inspirational businesses.
Whatever the unpredictable weather, it’s now that we all like to spend more time outdoors, and what better way than to stroll around the largest architectural salvage, reclamation and garden antiques show in the country. Every year I go along to the Salvo Fair in Knebworth and it’s just the ticket – see for yourself in our first article this month.
The bathroom first became the family battleground well over 130 years ago and has been the linchpin in the comfort of our homes ever since. Today, it’s interesting to see how styles have changed, and look at how we can adopt the best elements of bathroom design of the past, and bring them into the future. Read more in our article on page 10, which certainly shows how ‘anything goes’!
I’ve seen a ‘look’ emerging, which I absolutely love. It’s a sort of industrial meets apothecary-chic look; pigeonhole boxes, decorative jars and bottles, chairs with wooden seats and metal bases, and masses of period typography. So join me in the chemist’s shop for some great decorative concoctions.
Philip Woolway is a man after my own heart; he loves digital photography, shops bursting with antiques and curios, and he can’t help buying a prop or two en route! His work is featured (rather bravely we think) on our front cover this month, it’s quite puzzling until you rotate the image to get a feel of the perspective. And in the words of Rolf Harris, “Can you tell what is it yet?”
P.S. If you’re a vintage dealer, event organiser or pure vintage enthusiast, drop us an email as we’d like to hear from you, and tell you about a new vintage magazine coming to a town near you!
Karyn Sparks

View or buy the June issue online at: www.antiquexplorer.com

Antiquexplorer April 2011 issue

I’ve just spent a lovely day buying, browsing and photographing at my local Vintage Market in Bridport. It’s got a great West Country vibe, with the flavour of a French Brocante market, which was born from a lot of vintage community spirit! Follow the meandering table-top sellers into the thick of it, with open shop fronts, live music and locally made food –it was absolutely heaving and a great way to spend a lazy  Sunday. I however, should have been working on this magazine’s deadline, but hey-ho what an inspiring way to finish off the April vintage issue... spring is most definitely here!
This ‘Vintage Britain’ issue is designed to help you shake off the winter cobwebs and get inspired by street parties and festivals, the imminent Royal Wedding and everything that makes Britain rule!
View or buy the April back issue online at: www.antiquexplorer.com

Antiquexplorer May 2011 issue

Since our first issue of 2011, we’ve travelled the British Isles. We’ve explored the rolling hills and slate-grey landscapes of Wales with artist Kyffin Williams; then on to Ireland – the abandoned mansions
certainly caught our readers’ imaginations (and incidentally featured one of my all-time favourite covers); and then of course, England, with our immensely popular vintage issue – back issues are selling like hot-cakes!
And this month, here we are in Scotland, and what a treat we have for all you glass lovers. I’m a huge fan of simple ‘60s glass design, and had little idea that Caithness Glass could tick all the boxes, however, that was until I heard about Domhnall ÓBroin, who drew his inspiration from the colours of the Scottish landscape – warm peaty tones, purple heather, golden sunsets and the grey-blue of lochs - a ‘hot new collecting area’ written by antiques expert Mark Hill.
I have to say our first article this month has really caught the feel of the Scottish highlands – Harris Tweed and agate jewellery. An odd combination you might say, but what could look more ‘vintage’ than a bit of Tweed, coupled with a highly coveted, thousand-year-old gemstone?

View the May back issue at www.antiquexplorer.com

COMING SOON: Homexplorer EXTERIORS Guide 2011-2012

Coming soon: Your Guide to Salvaging with Style for the Home and Garden...

Find out how to be include by clicking here: 

http://www.antiquexplorer.com/bookshop/exteriorsguide/extintroduction.php

Antiquexplorer February issue - Welsh Antiques

Dear Explorer 
There were numerous reasons for compiling a Welsh-themed issue this month. Firstly, Wales is heaving with long traditions, which will always ensure a good read in an antiques magazine! We also covered Welsh love spoons in our October 2010 issue (a tradition that stems from a time when the people of Wales used wooden utensils to eat), which sparked a great deal of interest from our readers. 

Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a Royal Wedding coming up in April! The Queen Mother started the tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding rings in 1923 and since then, the Queen, Princess Margaret, the Princess Royal, Diana Princess of Wales, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall all had their rings made from pure Welsh gold. 

The forthcoming wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton will also feature a Welsh gold ring. This renewed interest and the fact that the last Welsh gold mine closed in 1999 will result in the remaining stock becoming even more sought after and prices will reach record highs! Incidentally, you can see an ingot of gold that was presented to Her Majesty the Queen on her 60th birthday on display in the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. Look out for an article about this precious metal, ‘fit for a princess’, in a future issue.   

2011 will also see Oriel Ynys Môn celebrate its 20th birthday with special events planned throughout the year. This wonderful museum and arts centre, located in Llangefni, Anglesey, houses permanent displays that include the world’s largest collection of works by local artists Sir Kyffin Williams and Charles Tunnicliffe, both quite rightly featured within this issue. 

Next, we look at the history of Nantgarw porcelain – considered by many to be the most valuable artefacts ever produced in Wales –and welcome the recent re-opening of the the Nantgarw China Works Museum in Cardiff – the last remaining archaeological site of porcelain production in the UK. 

We asked Welsh quilt expert, Jen Jones, how she started her collection of over 300 quilts, and how best to use these wonderful items of craft art in our homes today. Read about Jen’s 40-year passion for this visual heritage of Wales on page 13. 

Finally, everyone loves a dresser! We asked Christopher Proudlove to explain what makes a dresser a ‘Welsh’ dresser, and what to look out for when investing in such a romantic piece of furniture. 
Karyn 


Karyn Sparks
Editor

To see more of these articles visit: www.antiquexplorer.com