The opening sequence of the much-loved television series Downton Abbey features a ringing servants' bell. At the peak of the programme's popularity, we were selling lots of servants' bells, and entire bell boards, especially to customers in the USA,' recalls Paul Nash, director of architectural salvage company Architectural Decor. "To retrofit an entire working set of bells would be a monster of a job. You'd have to install metal cable, or electric wire, under the floors and hidden behind the plaster. So nowadays mostly they're used decoratively - they give instant English country-house style."
This story is from the December 2024 edition of Homes & Antiques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2024 edition of Homes & Antiques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Relaxed LIVING
John and Katy Maskell Bell have filled their Victorian home with inherited treasures and antique finds to create a stylish yet warm and welcoming interior.
The HARD SELL
Like many of us post Christmas, Hattie Bell felt in need of a good clear out, but wasn't sure where to turn for items that were too special for the charity shop. Here, she tries and tests several methods - from selling ceramics at a vintage market to auctioning books...
THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME - Matt Dixon
The owner of TallBoy Interiors tells us about selling his first antique, and how to handle the pressure at French fairs.
48 hours in ASOLO
The medieval hilltop town of Asolo has captivated the imagination of visitors for centuries. Amanda Robinson finds out more about this beautiful- and romantic - Venetian gem...
Pride of place - STAFFORDSHIRE SLIPWARE
Distinguished by its bold, earthy colours and the use of liquid clay applied in decorative patterns, this rustic English pottery has a long and fascinating history, finds Janet Gleeson
ONE EYE ON THE PAST
Artist Sophie Glover explains how she creates her contemporary lover's eyes
Rainbow revelations
When Amy Eld bought her Pimlico home, its plain white walls sparked a desire to drench it in colour, before carefully furnishing it with vintage and antique treasures
Sustainable STYLE
When Nichola and Adam Burns moved from Bristol to France, they took their love of vintage and antique pieces with them, decorating their home with a multitude of stylish finds
Curated collections
Step into Marc Kitchen-Smith's atmospheric Cornish home, where antiques, history and passion intertwine to create a timeless, well-curated sanctuary.
Lisa Coppin
The Cotswold Company’s chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her
