Once a favourite call for trade and public alike, and a particular favourite of the American trade buyer, Warminster in Wiltshire for many years boasted a large number of seasoned dealers trading in a very wide range of furniture from period mahogany to shipping goods, decorative antiques and 18th and 19th century French decorative furniture and accessories.

A number of the dealers eventually retired or relocated and Warminster languished for a year or two but since the end of 2009 with the influx of a batch of snappy new shops, Warminster has returned to some of its former glory and is very well worth a call.

Two of the new shops are quite similar in vein with respected and experienced decorators opening shops – Baker and Gray and George and King.

Sarah Baker deals in painted French and English furniture, lighting and textiles for the home and also sells her own unique Baker & Gray fabric collection. Sarah lived and worked in Africa for many years as a fashion designer with embroidery as a feature in her work. Inspired by the flora and fauna of Africa, the panels are all beautifully embroidered by hand on silk or linen. Tribal textiles are also incorporated into her designs with private commissions undertaken. This charming little shop has a pretty cottage garden behind where Sarah also sells decorative pieces for the garden. Baker and Gray can be seen at a number of interiors events around the country and recently won 1st prize for best stand at the Christmas fair - Royal Horticultural halls in London - see image above. Baker and Gray are committed to fair trade principles.

Jean George and Deborah King, of George and King Interiors, a few shops along the road in Silver Street, are both well known decorators in the area and decided to open a shop together to concentrate on selling some very glamorous lighting and accessories with a fine range of painted furniture including some Swedish pieces on a grand scale including fabulous secretaire bookcases, benches and commodes.

Jean has for some thirty years designed interiors for restaurants and pubs and is enjoying bringing that experience to the High Street. Jean’s son, George exhibits his bespoke handmade country furniture in oak and fruitwoods and accepts commissions.

Jean and Deborah are enjoying the challenge of running the shop together and say that the first year was really hard work getting the two-storey showroom into shape and coping with the design arm of the business. They have completely redecorated both floors to provide an airy and elegant space. The rear of the shop was once a restorer’s workshop and this has been knocked through to provide a space to show the range of textiles and lighting on offer.

Jean and Deborah have seen a big increase in trade over the last few months and are happy that the local community are so supportive of the shop. They offer specialist advice on individual projects no matter how large or small.

On the corner of Silver Street and right opposite the Obelisk, the famous landmark of the antiques district in Warminster, is Anthony Cole Antiques. Anthony and his wife Jo bought Maxfield House, a complete Georgian house with five bedrooms and three reception rooms and as a family home where they could live and run their business. the main showroom fronts the street with enormous plate glass windows providing good out of hours window shopping for the passer by.

Anthony had been trading in London since 1988 and wanted to return to Wiltshire his childhood home. A dealer in English furniture, pantings and quirky objects, Anthony is relieved that after a quiet start for the first year, the business is now thriving. Anthony exhibits at Bath Decorative & Antiques Fair each year as well as The Deorative Antiques and Textiles Fair in Battersea three times a year, and he is certain that both events have really helped him to put the shop on the map with new customers.

At the far end of Silver Street, Barry and Annabel Semke of Isabella Antiques are estalished members of the Warminster antiques trade, having been in their showroom for a number of years. Barry specialises in good practical furniture from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian period, mostly mahogany but some walnut and rosewood. Annabel is a well known gilder and works for museums as well as the trade and commissions from clients. Isabella Antiques have increased their stock of English and mostly 19th Century and generally have between sixty to one hundred in stock. They usually have available a good selection of small mirrors, overmantel, wall mirrors, convex and girandoles. Barry also deals in ceramics, particularly New Hall hard paste 1782-1815s

All four Warminster dealers are members of the West of England Antique Dealers' Association. For a free colour Guide to all sixty members contact WEADA via their web site or by telephone on 01225 333130

A footnote: If you are looking for shipping goods in Warminster, Alan Welch formerly of Welch Brothers which was a large emporium across the road from the Obelisk, has a warehouse open by appointment only. href="mailto:mail@antiquesnews.co.uk">Email Antiques News for details.