5 British Antiques Designers Say You Should Never Overlook

It's not hard to find beauty in an antique. Every preloved piece has its own story and unique set of quirks, but if there were one 'type' of object designers can't get enough of right now, it's British antiques.

Anyone who enjoys decorating with antiques knows British pieces have a unique charm, collectibility, and appeal that makes them stand out. From Regency furniture that only gets better with age to English silver that makes any kind of dining feel instantly more special, designers find themselves looking for these five pieces time and time again.

Every antique brings a layer of personality and history to a home, but designers say it's these five specific treasures that they always hunt for, no matter the project.

1. Regency Hall Chairs

Once featured in grand entryways, English Regency hall chairs are highly sought after today, loved for their beautiful, hand-carved frames and sturdy build. They typically feature a carved shell back, scroll-like sides or 'wings', and fluted or turned legs. Gillows of Lancaster was one of the finest English furniture manufacturers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

'I am always on the lookout for antique English Regency hall chairs,' says interior designer Ali Mahon of The Barns by Ali Mahon. 'Whether I find singles, pairs, or sets of these 18th-century pieces, I scoop them up. I love how sculptural they are, and I adore how the rich brown mahogany mixes beautifully with my early American painted furniture.'

'I obviously use them in hallways, but I have a fabulous pair flanking my primary bathroom tub. They hold salts, soaps, and towels. The plank seat and hand-carved backrests can be more interesting than a side table,' Ali adds.

2. English Silver

'English silver is probably at the top of my list,' says Vanessa Chaverri-Gratz, founder of The Gratz Life. 'I started collecting silver more intentionally over the last few years, and some of my favorite pieces are those with English hallmarks. There is something so special about turning a piece over and finding those little clues to where it came from and its history.'

'For me, it’s a combination of craftsmanship, history and a personal connection. England has such a long tradition of producing beautiful silver, ceramics, art and decorative objects, and I love pieces that have survived generations and still feel relevant in a home today,' Vanessa explains. 'I’m much more interested in something that carries evidence of its past than something that feels pristine or precious.'

'There’s also a sentimental connection for me. My family has English roots, as my mother’s family is from England, so I grew up with that connection. I think that familiarity has naturally found its way into the way I decorate. My home is very collected and English-influenced, so these pieces feel at home here rather than like objects I’m buying simply because they’re antique.'

3. Slipware and Stoneware

'I’m always drawn to English antique ceramics and vases, particularly pieces with beautiful shapes, color, and a little bit of age and patina,' says interior designer Laura Stephens. 'I love finding individual pieces rather than looking for a perfectly matched set, and I’m particularly drawn to collections where the pieces have slightly different forms and finishes.'

Laura specifically hunts for 'Staffordshire pottery, English stoneware, transferware, lusterware or old slipware. I also look out for antique glass and small decorative objects that can be dotted through a scheme,' she adds. 'Old candlesticks, little boxes, lamps and interesting vessels.'

'For me, antiques bring such a wonderful sense of history and individuality to a home. I love that you can find something that has a completely different shape or character to anything you might buy new, and that it immediately gives a room a sense of having evolved over time. I’m not particularly interested in everything matching perfectly; it’s the combination of different periods, scales, colors, and materials that makes a room feel personal. There is also something very special about finding a piece that you really love and knowing that it has already had a life before coming into your home.'

4. Georgian and Regency Dressers

Antique dressers from the Georgian and Regency periods are worth investing in. From dense, dark mahogany chests of drawers to Rococo-inspired dressers with ornate carvings, 18th-century antique furniture only gets better with age.

'I’m particularly drawn to English Georgian and Regency antiques,' says interior designer Liz Caan. 'I find that pieces from these periods blend incredibly well with furniture from other eras – the lines are interesting and distinctive, but they don’t necessarily demand that the entire room follow suit.'

'I also love the patina these pieces develop over time and the extraordinary woods and craftsmanship,' Liz adds. 'Some of the wood species and veneers are magnificent. I’m especially drawn to oyster-veneered walnut on William and Mary pieces – the depth, movement and richness of the wood can be so beautiful. Personally, I store all my barware in an 18th-century George III secretary at my home.'

'I’m always drawn to antique furniture that can be given a new purpose within a home, particularly pieces that can be used for entertaining,' agrees Pringle & Pringle Founder, Sophie Pringle. 'Antique chests, cabinets and dressers can make wonderful drink stations or bars, and I love the idea of taking a beautiful old piece and adapting it rather than always starting from scratch.'

5. Ornate Victorian Lighting

English vintage lighting is lovingly collected today. Some of the best examples include Victorian translucent milk glass lamps and lanterns adorned with intricate ironwork.

'Vintage English lighting is another weakness of mine,' says Tanner Sammons, founder of Morgan Madison Design. 'An old lamp or fixture can completely change the feeling of a room. Lighting is one of those places where I think a bit of English whimsy is especially wonderful. It doesn’t always need to be serious or perfectly symmetrical. Sometimes the slightly odd, charming piece is exactly what makes the room.'

'That sensibility is also why I’m drawn to contemporary English makers like Porta Romana. They aren’t making antiques, of course, but there’s still such an artisanal quality to what they do – the hand-applied and painted finishes, sculptural forms, wonderful materials, and that distinctly English willingness to be a little playful. Their pieces can feel as though they’ve been made by a person rather than simply manufactured, which is increasingly important to me.'

'Ultimately, I think what I love most about English design is that it gives you permission to mix,' says Tanner. 'Something refined can sit next to something rustic; an important antique can live beside a contemporary piece; a beautiful painted finish can be a little imperfect.'

While these five British antiques will bring charm and character to your home, antiques that create a European style will, too, create an effortlessly lived-in, comforting feel that lasts for years.

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