House & Garden says: ‘More and more budding dealers are taking to Instagram to sell their latest finds – everything from Victorian pine dressers to mid-century Swedish landscapes and frilly glass French pendant lights. Buying is simple: a quick direct message to the seller and then it’s just a matter of settling up, often using Paypal or bank transfer.’
Shoppers must be eagle-eyed and act fast, however. The good stuff never lingers for long.
Operating from barns and bedrooms up and down the country, these are some of the very best accounts to follow now.
AVW Antiques
@avwantiques
Alexander Von Westenholz worked for Sotheby’s, a picture framer and a leading Pimlico Road dealer before he starting to source and sell things himself. He has excellent taste and an energy that makes you want to shop. He is particularly fond of taxidermy, saying: ‘I have always been attracted to taxidermy as an art form and I try to source and buy the best; I really think it can complement both the furniture and overall decoration of a room whatever the style.’ Check out the handmade dog beds he makes, copied from an Edwardian original, with their vintage croquet ball feet. Meanwhile, we can’t help lusting after this pretty washstand.
Trad Chap
@tradchap.antiques
Both sets of Jack Laver Brister’s grandparents worked in antiques, so it was likely he’d follow. He says: ‘I’d say my style is quite masculine and English. It’s that faded country house look.’ Which perfectly describes the vintage finds this dealer and decorator sells through his Instagram feed. If only we had space for the enchanting housekeeper’s cupboard he has on sale now for £385 plus p+p.
Bobbin Villa
@bobbin_villa_
Kate, who runs Bobbin Villa from her home in West Sussex, has loved vintage interiors since she was a child. ‘I still love nothing more than digging around antiques fairs, boot sales, bric-a-brac and charity shops,’ she says. She has turned her passion into a business in which she sources and sells unique, pre-loved treasures for the home. We love this sweet mahogany bookshelf that she sold for £195 plus p+p.
Cotswold Antique Barn
@cotswoldantiquebarn
The treasures amassed on this feed have to be seen to be believed. Trust us, you will want everything. Don’t be put off by the fact that it all flies out of the barn the moment it arrives – there is always more to lust after. We fell hard for this Victorian button back chair that they sold for £595 plus p+p.
Gail O’reilly
@gailie71
From her home on the Dorset/Wiltshire border, Gail sources and sells vintage soft furnishings and antiques. She has a keen eye for quality finds and a constant supply of Colefax and Fowler curtains, pretty little chests of drawers, country-house sofas and more. We love this stunning Colefax door curtain that she sold for £250 plus p+p.
Glenmore Antiques
@glenmoreantiques
Peter Flindall sells his excellent range of wares on Instagram and from his home in Essex. He is extremely quick to respond to enquiries and a thoroughly nice guy. We love his Windsor chairs, like this one, with its hints of old green paint.
By Becky Ladenburg
Februay 2023
