Antique shopping - James McWhirter Antiques

Antiques

I want certain things in all these houses to take you back, in a very pleasant way. For you to feel history and what people have seen in the past. Antique textiles are my final layer.

I personally, love seventeenth-century tapestry. The price of a large tapestry is really minimal in comparision to a painting of the same size. I get the final cushions from antique shops and bring in elements of layering in to my room. These old textiles enhance the modern fabrics that we need to use.

I really recommend you going and viewing textiles in museums, galleries and auction houses. By looking at them you are really able to realise how amazing they are. They are the poor sister of most art and aren't as appreciated as they should be.

It is often my dream to find a settee that was covered in the original fabric. For me it is juxtaposition that makes a room interesting and really brings an interior onto a level that is different looking.

I never like cutting old fabrics. I only do so when they are damaged in parts to turn it into a cushion. One of the most important final layers is the cushions. That final layer, particularly if you have very plain fabrics, helps to pull a room together. Without it a room will look very plain.