Join me on a snoop around the incredible Guinevere Antiques Shop situated on Kings Road London. Wow is all I can say; okay, I can say more, much more. This immaculate store is brimming with fantastic antique furniture, unique decorative objects, vintage fabrics, art deco glassware and glamorous crystal chandeliers. It’s an exciting, eclectic and exotic mix of different styles and eras featuring furniture, lighting and home accessories from East to West (mainly India, China and Europe). Whether you’re an antique dealer, collector or admirer, an interior stylist, designer or decorator, one thing is for sure, you’ll love the Guinevere Antiques Shop.
Shop Interiors
My Five Favourite Pieces from Guinevere Antiques Shop
There are thousands of stunning antiques in this shop, so it was challenging to choose just five to share with you. After some exploration and deliberation, I eventually settled on five items that I’d love to buy … if I lived in a mansion! Just joking, some were small enough to fit into a modest London apartment but not these Japanese Bronze Elephants. They are incense burners which I was quite surprised to discover. It’s reputed that the Grand Bazar Royal initially retailed them in The Hague in the late 1890s. I loved the upturned trunks and intricate pagoda detailing. The measurements are 162cm high, 116cm wide and 46cm deep – £19500 for the pair. If only I could afford these and the mansion to fit them in!
Japanese Bronze Elephants
I was also drawn towards the Green Glazed Chinese Pharmacy Jars, which are cylindrical with covers. You’ll notice the writing on the front labels and even embossed lettering towards the bottom of the jar. They are from the Jiangxi Province and were created in the early 20th century. These jars would make beautiful ornaments which can be placed on shelving or on the floor for decoration. You can also use them for storage purposes. The measurements are 33cm high and 24cm in diameter. These are sold in sets of ten or twelve for £2200-2600.
Green Glazed Chinese Pharmacy Jars
The extensive glass selection enticed me over, and I picked out these Decadent French Art Deco Decanters. With a fabulous fan shape, they are undoubtedly spectacular and just the thing for a home bar. The cut glass was silver mounted with a fancy stopper on the top. They are from the 1930s and would undoubtedly get noticed at your next party. The measurements are 23.5cm high, 10cm deep and 15cm wide – £1350 for the pair.
French Art Deco Decanters
If you wanted to buy a gorgeous gift for a loved one, you’d find plenty of trinket boxes on offer. This Rectangular Black Glass Casket featured a large diamond-cut design against gilt bronze mounts. It is Italian and made in the 20th Century. The measurements are 5.5cm high, 13.5cm wide and 8.5cm deep – £950.
This Rectangular Black Glass Casket
I noticed these lovely lampshades dotted around, which are designed and made by the shop using vintage saris. This is a beautiful way to re-purpose such pretty fabric. They sell the lampshades in pairs and can only usually make two out of each sari which means they are unique. Some of the lampshades feature patchwork combinations of saris which are just stunning. Each shade is finished off with coordinating trim and a silk lining. These are available in various sizes and shapes, which start at £600, and the large ones are £700 plus VAT (prices for pairs). They also make jackets, bags and cushions using the saris, so do take a look at these online and in-store if you pop in.
Vintage Sari Lampshades
Guinevere Antiques Shop and Stock
Initially founded by Genevieve Weaver, a Parisian hat designer who moved to London and unexpectedly fell in love with a man and also the antique business. I love the fact that it is still a family-run venture today with Genevieve’s sons, Marc and Kevin, at the helm. They are undoubtedly passionate about antiques and travel the world to discover exciting treasures to bring back to the store. Marc, Kevin and Heather (Marc’s wife) often visit Indian and China to source stock but are always in buying mode, so a holiday usually turns into a chance to get the credit card out and snap up an exciting find. They are drawn to furniture and objects by their visual impact, style, swagger and panache, so you can expect some surprising pieces!
An assortment of Vibrant Fifties Glass Vases
The first thing you’ll notice is that this shop has four large windows. That means some magnificent displays, which are just as well because sometimes the traffic comes to a standstill outside, and those poor drivers need something fascinating to look at. These have been styled by Dean Robinson, who has done such a sterling job. The windows are very imaginative and make you stop to take a second look. The displays are constantly evolving, and Dean gives them a big makeover four times a year.
Sixties Window Celebrating Fifty Years in Business
The shop first opened in 1963 and was a single unit. Over the years, the store has expanded into the basement and is now comprised of four shops. Walls have been knocked through, and eventually, it has become 8000 square feet of retail space. It is a fantastic labyrinth to browse with numerous connecting rooms, all styled differently by Dean to keep your interest. The antiques are displayed thoughtfully, so you have room to manoeuvre. You’ll find bold, glamorous pieces mingled in with everyday objects as you browse. Some rooms feel more tranquil while others are decadent or bursting with colour. Furniture styles are mixed, so you get an eclectic look which somehow seems to work, thanks to Dean’s magic touch.
Colourful Interior Display
As you wander through the store, you’ll discover some fabulous furniture pieces, which include 1970s lounge chairs to Bombay deco chairs and Chinese lacquered stools, along with a few sofas. Chinoiserie coffee tables, marble consoles and silvered side tables are also available. Storage units include a Louis XV-style buffet, Mongolian chests and large architectural bookshelves. In the basement, you’ll notice a massive 19th-century Anglo-Indian four-poster ebonised bed with barley twist columns and circular acanthus feet. Don’t forget to look up and admire the fancy Russian and French crystal chandeliers. These are mingled in with some astonishing pieces like the massive 19th Century stone bust of Zeus and a large Chinese Tang Dynasty pottery camel.
Anglo Indian Four Poster Ebonised Bed
If you’re searching for something specific, you can head for the textiles area, you’ll find vintage Indian saris, Indian dhurries, French linen, and blankets. Here you’ll also find bags, fabric coats and jackets made from some of these fabrics. In the glassware section, there are plenty of cut crystal items, including art deco decanters, claret jugs, champagne buckets, wine coolers, goblets, ashtrays and more. The gift section showcases trinket boxes, jewellery boxes and exciting items like an adorable silver plate honey pot shaped like a bee and an elephant which is a claret jug.
Silver Plate Elephant Austrian Novelty Claret Jug
They also design their own products like the vintage sari lampshades I mentioned, massive fabric ball pendant shades and they re-cover ottomans and trunk-style drawers. You can also pick up a branded scented candle or diffuser as a gift while you are there. Whatever you want to buy, they probably have it, and they are also likely to have something you never knew you wanted to buy until you see it. Take your credit card with you!
Guinevere Antiques Shop Information
Shop Exterior
For more information, go to the Guinevere Website where you can view the products. This is a special shop so you really should make an effort to visit. The address is 574-580 Kings Road, London SW6 2DY. It is near the Lots Road end of Kings Road, so the closest stations are Fulham Broadway (District Line), Parsons Green (District Line) and Imperial Wharf (Overground and Southern Railways). The store is located on a pretty street with other interiors shops to browse so you can explore further. You’ll find a cute café come restaurant opposite called Megan’s, where I ate breakfast before my visit. Opening times are Monday to Friday from 9.30 am until 6 pm, and Saturday from 10 am until 5.30 pm, closed on Sunday.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London and Guinevere. Thanks: Anna Wilcox, for showing me around the store, photographs and information. Also, thanks to Marc Weaver for his time and information.
