Fontaine Antiques, UK

I have blogged before about our friends Stuart and Kiel who own Fontaine Antiques but thought I would show you some shots of their new showroom in Margate, Kent.

When we were back in UK at the end of last year and over New Year we managed to fit in a lightening visit to see them and to check out how their fantastic new space had emerged from a run down neglected building which started life as a school in around 1900. (See above). However, this was a special school to teach the craft of 'laundering' to those girls who wanted to learn the skill in order to enter 'service' in a large household. The kind that appeared in Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs I would imagine!

Anyway, back to the inside of the building which they have totally renovated. Smart dark walls and wooden polished original floors are the backdrop to show off their eclectic, collected wares. All in all - perfection.

Love these old decoy ducks from the beginning of last century.

Fabulous French mirror above this old sign.

Stuart Atkinson/Kiel Shaw. Fontaine Antiques - The Old Laundry, Margate, Kent, UK

Wholesale and Retail - call to make an appointment if you are travelling from afar.

Website : http://www.fontainedecorative.com/

Happy Days until a Volcanic Disruption

Up until yesterday we were having such a wonderful time down at our friends the antique dealers (Kiel and Stuart of FONTAINE) at their cottage on the Kent coast. Then the news came that due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland all airspace over UK and Northern Europe has been closed.... Unfortunately, this now means that my daughter is now stuck at the ski resort in France where she has been working since the end of last year and we have no idea when her flight will be re-instated. Also, Mr SE who was due to fly back to Australia this morning is not going anywhere fast either. That is not quite as bad as we are here together but there are several work commitments he needs to be back for next week. What a difficult situation it all is. However, let me tell you about the nicer times before this volcano fiasco... Photograph above shows a few of the French antiques ready to be loaded onto their van as they are doing Battersea Decorative Antiques Fair next week... Apologies that I could not take many photos as much of the stock was packed up in bubble wrap/blankets in readiness for transportation....

This was a present from them to me... It was such a lovely surprise - a late Georgian / early Victorian piece of spongeware - in perfect condition - I am thrilled and was very touched.

Photograph above shows their cottage to the right of the picture.

Another closer shot.

This is looking up the road from their cottage. Look at these perfect specimens of Georgian homes. I absolutely LOVE this period - it is my all time favourite English house...

We went out for dinner here.... Unusual, in that there is a fishmongers underneath and the restaurant is above. As you could probably imagine, we had wonderfuly fresh fish. (Stuart is standing outside waiting for me to hurry up and stop taking photos!)

Yesterday, before we returned to 'SE Cottage' we went to Margate where they are building the huge new Turner Contemporary gallery.... It is going to be one of the biggest galleries in the South of England and due to open in the Spring of 2011.... There is much excitement about the regeneration of the coast and generally in this area. For more information click HERE.

So, now we just play a waiting game and hope and pray that the volcano stops emitting dust and ash and the wind blows the other way which will enable airspace in Europe to open again. Never in living memory has this happened before - all so unfortunate.

Another Spring Day in England

Before I begin writing my post today I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who left a comment about my sister's wedding (previous post) .... We have been so touched by your kindness and lovely words - my family were amazed at the response especially my sister and my parents who were absolutely delighted that so many bloggers and readers from all over the world not only were interested but also took the time to write something. It really has added another dimension to the celebrations so thank you all so very, very much. Yesterday we enjoyed another beautiful Spring day and so we set off for a small walk out of our village and down to the canal - this is the view looking back and in the middle you can see the steeple of the village church. Note though that although it is nearly mid-April not many leaves are out on the trees - hopefully they will all soon spring into action over the coming week or so. The sun shone but there was also quite a brisk, cold wind.

On the way back we stopped at the house opposite. They have chickens and sell organic eggs from a little table on their driveway.

They trust you to put the correct money into the jar and take your eggs... They are so fresh - absolutely delicious...

Later on in the evening I brought out my Jamie Oliver cookbook to check out a recipe for Jamie's "Incredible roasted shoulder of lamb with smashed veg and greens" dish (page 49 of his 'Jamie at Home' book). The preparation is quick but it does take a long time in the oven. However the finished result is always worth it and never fails.

Garlic and rosemary under the lamb - a little olive oil and salt and pepper all over too...

Oh, and just a bit more rosemary and garlic on top... Double seal the whole tin with foil and much, much later.....

Serve and enjoy with Mr SE accompanied by a nice glass or two of French red wine and an open fire too.... What could be more perfect?

Today Mr SE and I are off to visit our friends Stuart and Kiel (the antique guys I have written about before - their company is Fontaine) - they now have a little cottage in Kent (South East of England) as well as their place in France. Hopefully there may be lots of gorgeous goodies in the form of French antiques that I will be able to photograph for you to see.

Now, I must away and prepare some of those lovely eggs we bought yesterday for Mr SE's brekkie!

FONTAINE - wonderful French Antiques

is the name of a absolutely great company owned by my dear friends, Stuart Atkinson and Kiel Shaw.... I used to work for them years ago running their shop in East Sussex whilst they went off to search for more stock in France.....(they now live there). I had the most fantastic fun there - such good times - and when they returned with fresh 'loot' I would 'use up' all my wages before I had earned them if you see what I mean!!

Angel 'Wings"

Selection of French Sheets

Gorgeous white china

Artwork

Fabulous mirror

French 1920's leather club chair

I know I have posted about these guys before but quite simply they are the best and my most favourite antique people IN THE WORLD... and not because I know them. They now have a website which you can look at so you won't have to take my word for it only! Click HERE to see more.....

The following info. is taken directly from their website and I have shown a few images from there too - they have an enormous selection and it is well worth contacting them directly if you are particularly looking out for something special....

About Us :
...'France offers some great decorative country antiques, some items could be one-off apprentice pieces, a single work of art or a naive carving made with a labour of love - but all of them show provincial craftsmanship at it's best - honest and not pretending to be anything more.... this is what we love'

Stuart Atkinson and Kiel Shaw's taste is broad - from naive 18th Century to contemporary 1970's, from rustic one-off to formal bespoke pieces. They are predominantly Decorative Dealers, with a wide range of clients and over 30 years experience between them of travelling through France and buying at brocantes, antique markets and auctions, they buy for themselves first but of course with their clients in mind, so you are always ensured of a relaxed look with an informal and personal approach that is at place within any interior.

Fontaine is based in France and exhibit regularly at the Battersea Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair. They also exhibit at the Bath Decorative Fair.

They are happy working alongside trade buyers, private clients and interior designers equally.

I miss them so much... will hopefully be catching up with them again when I am back next in UK.....

http://www.fontainedecorative.com/

Like a headless 'Chook'

To use an Australian term - I have been running around like one.... All day....

Tomorrow afternoon I go to Heathrow Airport and fly back to Australia to resume my Semi-Expat life again... Mixed feelings about leaving UK - very definitely sad feelings about leaving my daughter.
All day I have been itching to get onto my laptop and to post and now having done 95%of what needs to be done by tomorrow I am allowing myself the luxury of seeing what everyone is up to in the blogosphere and catching up and writing for the last time from UK for a while... Forgive me as there will probably be a few days 'silence' whilst I re-adjust and get back to life down under.... However, you never know I may really 'go international' and do a post halfway to Australia from the Qantas Lounge in Singapore. All depends on my frame of mind and how tired I am !!

Anyway, the photographs are from yesterday - I rushed over to see two of my dear friends - my antique guys (well, they are not 'antique' as such of course, - they deal in them!)
I have known Stuart Atkinson and Kiel Shaw (who trade as FONTAINE) for over 10 years and at the moment they are trading from Blanchards in Froxfield. They live in France in Normandy but hop over the Channel regularly replenishing their stock in Blanchards and in their place in Tetbury in Gloucestershire. They also exhibit at Battersea Antiques and Decorative Fair and the Bath Decorative Fair. Yesterday was a Christmas preview at Blanchards and I helped them out for an hour or so (I used to work for them years ago when we all lived in Sussex) They are amazing guys and have such a 'good eye' - they are wonderful house makers too (they have property for holiday rental - see inside their house at www.frenchconnections.co.uk/en/accommodation/property/151054

Well, that's all from UK for a while... - take care and I will be in touch when I re-surface the other end!