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Director Confidential with Emma Burns | Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler | 20 February 2025
On Thursday 20 February we have our auction Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler: A Collection from the Pimlico Road Showroom and a Private London House. The sale features furniture, bespoke design, textiles and decorative objects that have come to epitomise the sophisticated and classically English style synonymous with Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Ahead of the auction we sat down with the Directors to explore the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler aesthetic and their inspirations for design. Here we speak with joint Managing Director, Emma Burns as she picks out some pieces from the auction, pairing them with a timeless Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler design.
What compelled you to become an interior decorator?
It was an inevitability.
Who or what is your biggest design inspiration?
The colours in nature.
What does the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler look mean to you?
Timeless elegance and total comfort.
What element of past Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler design would you like to see revived for the modern day?
As a firm we are inspired but not limited by the past – we are fortunate to have such a large archive of designs that we can pick and choose from.
What are some of your favourite pieces from the auction, and which Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler design would you pair them with?
I have chosen our Leopard Stripe chintz in green. I love green as a colour – John Fowler said that all greens go together, you only have to look at nature! This fabric is versatile and can be used in so many different ways. It’s a design we used to make in the 1980’s and one that we have recently revived as both a fabric and a wallpaper. As any animal print does, it brings an element of neutrality in design. It is chic and timeless!
To place alongside the versatile fabric, it was difficult to choose from this stunning collection but I’m passionate about black lacquer and I’ve always loved the clever design of secretaire abattants, such a slim footprint and so practical opening up into a desk – a perfect piece in a small room, with an element of surprise. I would place the delicious treacle glazed Medici lion on top!
As one of my favourite colours is green, I adore the intense colour of the simple pottery plates and bowls which I would like to use in my country garden.
I’ve chosen two hanging lights both very sculptural in form that would work well in traditional or more contemporary settings, and as no house should be without books I’ve chosen these two elegant bobbin turned open shelves that could form part of a library.
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Auction Details
Thursday 20 February, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
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VIEWING:
- Viewing in Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
- Friday 14 February: 10am-4pm
- Sunday 16 February: 10am-3pm
- Monday 17 February: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday 18 February: 9am-4pm
- Wednesday 19 February: 10am-4pm
- Thursday 20 February: 9am-4pm
Fine Furniture, Sculpture, Carpets, Ceramics and Works of Art in Collaboration with Watts 1874 (Day One)
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