Often referred to by dealers as “The Decorative Fair” or even simply “Battersea”, The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair is THE fair among fairs. If Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, could choose only one antiques fair to attend for the rest of her days, it would hands-down be “Battersea”. Filled to the brim with “complete and utter jaw-dropping eye candy,” it is the one fair that Toma could simply not live without. So, it is her joy to bring you today, Jane Juran, the owner of The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, located at Battersea Park in London. Toma shares that if you take the top 1% of what is at the Paris Flea Market, then “Battersea” is what you get. Featuring 140+ exhibitors offering traditional and informal antiques, 20th century design and works of art, plus a seasonal focus on garden and exterior-related decoration including furniture, objects, planters and statuary –  The Decorative Fair is London’s largest and longest-running major event of its kind.

Jane shares that after missing four fairs due to COVID-19, The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair is back with a vengeance – citing that the fair in January as one of the best in years. Opening queue at “Battersea” is one of Toma’s very favorite things to photograph as they are known for the waiters coming out with trays of glasses of champagne for those waiting in line. “It’s like any party!” shares Jane. “You work so hard getting ready that we’re just so happy when we get the queue that we like to give everyone a little drink.”

Fast approaching its 40th anniversary, the fair was first launched in Battersea Park in London in 1985 by antiques dealer Particia Harvey. Attendees are met not only with a drink but with specialist dealers from across the UK displaying their carefully-gathered collections of country house antiques, art nouveau and deco designs, mid-century classics, glass and silverware, decorative textiles and rugs, out of the ordinary lighting and mirrors, collectable curios and objets d’art, jewelry and unexpected treasures alongside art and sculpture of all eras and styles from traditional to contemporary.

In her travels around the UK, Toma often encounters dealers with a secret stash that, when she inquires about, they simply tell her, “Oh, that’s for Battersea.” Jane confirms that a lot of the items found at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair are new to market in London. The mind-boggling range of items date from pre-1700 to the seventies, while art extends to the contemporary, and prices range from under £50 to £50,000+. A trip to The Decorative Fair can help you decorate every room in any type of house from top to toe in myriad tastes, from extraordinary to understated, opulent to folksy, formal to fun. Jane takes great pride not only in the impressive inventory one can find at her fair but also in the warm, friendly, welcoming environment they have managed to maintain over the years. While attendees come from all walks of life, including the occasional well-known celebrities as well as the top interior designers, there is a comfortable, accommodating feel at the fair. They do a lot to make shopping at Battersea Decorative Fair easy. Hosted in a great facility, there is a shuttle bus that runs from Sloane Square just down Sloan Street into Battersea Park. There’s also lots of parking, which is unusual for London. The event is dog friendly and when you need a little rest or sustenance, they have a place to sit and have a cup of tea or something to eat before you shop again.

Although not a dealer herself, Jane’s husband David was an active participant and dealer in the fair early in their marriage in the 1990s. Jane was always involved in the administration end of things and, at the end of 2008 – wanting to keep an antiques dealer at the helm, Patricia sold the fair to David and Jane. David ran the fair and Jane was the support, but, after David’s sudden death in 2016, Jane was faced with what to do next. “I didn’t know what I would do with it and then I realized I would be missing out on the ‘family’ that we had built.” Thankfully, Darren Hudson, a great friend of David’s and fellow exhibitor and dealer, stepped up and took over much of what David did. They still have most of the same great team running the fair today that really knows what they’re doing. “It’s always so nice to see everyone when we set up.” It’s a testament to the close-knit friendly community that has been a foundation of the fair since its conception and Jane and Darren do a fabulous job of maintaining the relaxed friendly affair that is “Battersea”. “I’m not an antique dealer but the wife of an antique dealer and the daughter of an antique collector,” laughs Jane.   

Toma does not miss the opportunity to pick Jane’s brain. After living years in a home where everything was for sale, listen to the end to hear some brilliant advice to antiques dealers and their spouses from Jane including the admonition she often met her husband David with, “Don’t sell the sofa and don’t sell the children!” Jane also offers up a sneak peek into the trends that they are noticing at Battersea, so don’t miss what’s hot!

The Decorative Fair, Jane, Darren and her team are touching lives with their fair that has always been the warm, friendly antidote to all the formal fairs. It’s a fair where everybody knows your name and this episode is jam packed with wisdom, insight into the industry, and humor.

Special Thanks to Gail McLeod Antique News & Fairs for making the connection with Jane Juran.

To learn more about The Decorative Fair or to shop the decorative fair online, check out decorativefair.com or follow them on Instagram @decorativefair