Behind the lens in Fitzroy:

Yesterday, I went to look at an 18th century English oak gateleg table top to restore, and ended up photographing the private customers home interior.

see instagram reel

A home that feels less like a styled space and more like a deeply soulful, living canvas. The home belongs to Elizabeth: a fellow aesthete, a kindred Cancerian spirit, and a profound lover of trees.

Every corner tells a story of an intimate connection to the natural world. On the walls hang powerful, deeply moody graphite tree drawings of her own creation.

That intense reverence for timber, texture, and history flows effortlessly from her art right into her incredible collection of period furniture, beautifully layered together over the years from the Allpress Antiques collection also purchased from her travels around the world.

Watch the Reel to see how history and art intertwine in her sanctuary:

Description

The Magnificent 18th Century English Country Oak Breakfront Bookcase

A piece with an unforgettable full-circle history. I originally sold this spectacular, rare piece well over 25 years ago, bought it back decades later, and knew it belonged right here with Elizabeth. Dating to 1780, it retains all its original, beautifully wavy glass panels. Hidden behind the wide, lower panel doors are six original drawers with swan-neck brass handles. It anchors the dining room with monumental architectural authority.

The 17th Century Italian Walnut Chair

A museum-quality statement of early Baroque design. The deeply sculpted cartouche back and matching pierced front stretcher anchor a reading corner with immense historic gravity, styled perfectly alongside a low antique coffer and ancient pottery.

The Texture of an Aesthete

Elizabeth’s home is a masterclass in intuitive, intentional collecting. Everywhere you look, historic textures converse with one another—from a figured elm country Chippendale chair casting shadows by her artwork, to an antique carved wood Corpus Christi, sacred Orthodox icons, and vibrant green-glazed ceramic vessels nested beautifully on her kitchen shelf.

Narrowing down well over 100 photos into tonight’s edit was a beautiful challenge but this home is a poignant reminder of what happens when you collect with absolute lifelong intention.
Period furniture pieces proudly sourced from all over the world and allpress inc.