Man’s best friend has been a muse for artists since ancient times. There’s no doubt that dogs have always been one of the most popular subjects for art displayed in people’s homes; whether in the form of paintings, sculptures, tapestries, photography and much more. The story of dogs in interior design is long and everchanging; cave paintings, the appearance of canine companions in aristocratic portraits and garden statues are just a fraction of the ways that dogs have been immo

The traditional Knole settee as we know it today originates from a piece of upholstered furniture in Knole House in Sevenoaks, West Kent.  Knole is a grand house with six centuries of history and is filled with fine art and furniture. Knole is now a National Trust property open to the public. Although the essence of the drop arm with tie backs remains the same, variations to the arm shape, back height, use of buttoning and both traditional and modern fabric patterns dramatically aff

The Althorp Food and Drink Festival is an award-winning, family-friendly event which celebrates the joy of world-class gastronomy while supporting great local producers and small, independent suppliers. Now in its fifth year, the Althorp Food and Drink Festival has gained an exceptional reputation, both within the local community and nationwide, for being a wonderful opportunity for friends and family to come together and experience the pleasures of food and drink. Now, the team behind the fe

Brights of Nettlebed can be found on the main high street of the rural Oxfordshire village of Nettlebed, alongside traditional country inns, shops and plenty of quaint, thatched properties with large, leafy gardens. Enter the company's classically designed showrooms- the largest of its kind in the UK- and you'll find extensive gardens. Aside from perfectly manicured flowerbeds, hedgerows bustling with birds, a fully restored red telephone box and koi carp ponds, Brights of Nettlebed'

Marquetry; the art of creating decorative designs on wood, using various veneers of contrasting figures, grains and colours as well as- occasionally- other materials such as shell or ivory- has been a staple feature of fine furniture for several centuries. Not to be mistaken with the similar decorative style of parquetry, which creates striking patterns with geometric shapes, marquetry utilises images of flora and fauna, birds, landscapes, human figures and intricate swirling patterns. Marque

For over two centuries, between the Georgian and Victorian eras, campaign furniture was one of the most popular styles of furniture across the Western world. Historically, campaign furniture was produced solely for military campaigns, however, as the British empire expanded and demand by the military and colonists increased, this high-quality, portable style became a must-have among the wealthy and well-travelled in society.      

Today, there are very few families in India who share the skill, knowledge and means required to handloom traditional silk carpets to the exquisite level of richness, detail and fine quality that have, throughout history, become an integral part of the culture of India and of many other Asian nations. As a result, the finest quality silk carpets which adhere to traditional designs and craftmanship, can be extremely difficult to obtain. Despite these difficulties, Brights of Nettlebed is dedic

Classic works of art by the old masters have never gone out of style and today, traditional fine art is seeing a significant resurgence. This revival of styles such as Renaissance, Romanticism and Neoclassicism has introduced a burgeoning trend; reproduction painting.      

The Georgian period describes the time in English history, from 1714 until 1837, when four consecutive English monarchs of the Hanoverian House all shared the name George. The era began in England in 1714 when George I took the throne.He was a new German monarch and brought with him new customs and fashions. Although he was much more serious than his successors, the lighter continental fashions which came with him did set Britain on course for the tastes we readily associate with “Georgian

Being an artist was not a career that many considered appropriate, or even possible, for a woman in Victorian England which is why there are so few renowned female painters from this era. Elizabeth Thompson (1846-1933), however, was an exception. She rose to prominence painting epic historic scenes and successfully sold her portrayals of battles and wars to an international audience. Born in Switzerland to English parents and raised in Italy before relocating to England, it was during her edu

For a brief period between just before WW2 and the 1950s, one of the most popular pastimes throughout the USA were the thrilling hand-built model race cars, known as tether cars or spindizzies. Whirring round tracks at breath-taking speeds with an ear-splitting screech, these miniature pieces of art were true representations of pioneering, early 20th-century technology.   Strikingly similar to the full-sized race cars of the era, spindizzies would compete on circular track

Feng Shui is an ancient art which dates back more than 6,000 years to the Chinese cultures of Yangshao and Hongshan. Far from being a simple interior style guide, Feng Shui is a complex system which employs elements of divination, geomancy, and astrology to help draw positive energy into a building, room or even to a single item of furniture.  The name reflects the influence of nature and the elements on peoples’ balance and wellbeing; Feng means wind and Shui means water. In tradi

Thomas Chippendale (1718 – 1779) is arguably the most renowned of all Britain’s master cabinet makers. Rising from humble origins in West Yorkshire, Chippendale went on to become one of the most influential men of his day, with aristocrats, politicians, royalty and stars of the stage all clamouring for the chance to display his work in their homes. It was his revolutionary book of designs, originally published in 1754, which launched Thomas Chippendale to international fame and le

Thomas Hope (1769-1831) is one of history’s most influential interior designers, collectors and furniture designers. As a reformer of tastes and design trends, Hope is considered to have defined the Regency style of decorative arts and interiors. Born in Amsterdam, 1769 to an old Scottish family who, for many generations, had been one of Europe’s wealthiest banking families, Thomas Hope inherited both a vast amount of wealth and a passion for the arts from his parents. He received

Chinoiserie is the Asian-influenced decorative style which first flourished in Europe during the 17th century, and has gone on to become a staple, striking feature in art, furniture, pottery and more. The name ‘Chinoiserie’ comes from a French tongue-in-cheek term meaning ‘a little Chinese’ or ‘Chinese-ish’. This denotes the fact that, contrary to common belief, Chinoiserie did not originate in China, but in Western Europe around the time that trade with Ea

There’s no denying that Great Britain is going through some turmoil at the moment. It might even seem like there are very few things that the nation is able to agree on. Resignations have been put forward and scathing attacks have been launched, but prime minister, Teresa May continues to make the case for her agreement plan. In recent speeches, Teresa May has assured voters that the deal delivers on the 2016 Brexit referendum and that it gives security to farmers and other businesses.

Inspired by a Tradition in Fine French Furniture Our Empire-style bedroom furniture is inspired by the art, style and interiors of Napoleonic France, which was- in turn- dominated by Greco-Roman influence. Empire furniture was all the rage in late 19th-century France and now you can add the drama and grandeur of this period to your bedroom with our co-ordinated collection of bedroom furniture comprising beds, chests of drawers, bedsides and wardrobes, all handmade and finished in the finest B

A Culturally rich heritage Indonesia has been capturing the imagination of travellers from all around the world for centuries. Consisting of 17,000 islands between Australia and mainland Asia, this sprawling archipelago boasts a cultural diversity like nowhere else on earth. From bustling cities backed by volcanic mountains to lush rainforests and pristine shores, around 246 million people live here, and more than 500 languages are spoken. With such a broad variation of cultural influences

Our outdoor furniture looked fantastic against the warm, honey coloured ironstone of Althorp's stables. Built circa 1732, the substantial building was home to 100 horses and 40 grooms until the start of the 20th century.  It was just one of the areas of Althorp's grounds hosting the annual Food & Drink festival, which we were proud to be part of. The festival took place over two days and included cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and workshops from award-winning chefs. Gr

Seven rugs: 1 year in the making We are very excited to have received seven brand new and exclusive rugs which have been one year in the making!  Each carpet is individually commissioned with provenance researched from our archives. All carpets have an organic silk pile hand woven onto either a cotton or silk foundation to a bespoke size by highly skilled weavers using knowledge passed down through generations. The family workshops and its communities of weaving families in Uttar

NEW DISPLAYS of exclusive outdoor furniture NOW READY at both Nettlebed and King's Road showrooms! FINEST QUALITY ALUMINIUM FURNITUREAVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS & SPECIAL FINISHES We are proud to introduce our new and exclusive garden furniture range available in 21 colours and special finishes. Produced in the Cotswolds by craftsmen with 25 years experience, it's made from only the highest grade aluminium with great attention given to the finishing process to ensure exceptional an

Luxury hand made mattresses of unsurpassed quality and value rivalling the best in the business Standard sizes up to 7000 spring count delivered in 2 weeks Made to measure available in 4 weeks Our class-leading, British pocket-sprung mattresses are made in the heart of the Pennines using deep layers of the softest New Zealand wool, cashmere, cotton and silk. With two layers of patented agro springs individually housed within fabric pockets for independent movement and hand side stitc

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 20.5px Oranienbaum; color: #c9be3b} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 24.5px Oranienbaum; color: #c9be3b} span.s1 {font: 12.0px Oranienbaum} The 4th Annual Althorp Food & Drink festival Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th May 2018 The Althorp Food and Drink Festival is a two day food and drink extravaganza celebrating quality producers and suppliers in Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties.  The Festival is

An exclusive evening talk & book signing by CHARLES, 9TH EARL SPENCER in celebration of his latest book "TO CATCH A KING: Charles II's Great Escape" On Wednesday, 22nd November 2017, Brights of Nettlebed hosted the event at the Nettlebed Village Club with Champagne reception and finger buffet.  Lord Spencer is fascinating to listen to and his interest in the subject is abundantly clear, enthusing the audience with interest, aided by images of some of the charact

14TH ALHORP LITERARY FESTVAL THURSDAY 5TH - SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2017 ALTHORP’S LITERARY FESTIVAL IS A UNIQUE CELEBRATION OF THE WRITTEN WORD AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF ONE OF ENGLAND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE, HISTORIC HOUSES. Althorp welcomes some truly fantastic authors and speakers, including; Pam Ayres, Clare Balding, Johnny Ball, Sir Jonathan Bate, Paula Byrne, Jamie Blackett, Jess Butterworth, John Challis, the Rev. Richard Coles, Evan Davis, Ken Hom, Jeremy

British artist, Roger Hann, has always been passionate about painting since an early age attending Exeter Art College, in Devon.  Roger developed his technique at every available opportunity but retirement has allowed him to fully immerse himself in painting, predominately in acrylics and his prolific work is widely represented throughout the West Country. Roger has this extraordinary visual memory and from his imagination transforms what he views and feels on his many walks al

Traditional FurnitureThe term traditional furniture would describe something made in a conventional manner using an established procedure.  Authentic hand made traditional furniture is still available in limited quantities and would be more expensive than mass produced pieces.Classical designs are still in demand, country homes and Georgian town houses with their high ceilings and decorative cornices are natural homes for traditional furniture made by skilled craftsmen who have learnt their

Period Furniture Influenced by the reigning monarch We refer to period furniture to describe an historic link to a particular style. Period furniture is divided into intervals and influenced by the reigning Monarch of the day. Oak was widely used in the Elizabethan – Cromwellian stretch along with ash and elm.  It would be usual to make tables and dressers from oak, ash and elm.  Oak being a hard wood meant that furniture was very solid and legs and friezes could be c

Brand new creations arrived today! A cocktail of skills are required to recreate these exceptional pieces introduced to complement each other as a suite or look equally striking as a standalone piece. Furniture design sketches of the 18th Century were usually produced but the finished article often ended up being quite different. Today, with the help of modern technology we can capture the essence of the design with refinements made by our skilled draughtsman. No detail is insignificant an

The Althorp literary festival 2016 was the 13th to be held in the house and grounds of Earl Spencer’s family home: Althorp in Northamptonshire.  Brights of Nettlebed were delighted to sponsor the interview of Loyd Grossman by Earl Spencer on the subject of his favourite literary works and exceeded all expectations in both his character and the presentation of his wide literary knowledge. Most of us know Loyd as a famous broadcaster with TV classics such as Maste

New commissioned oil paintings supplied by Brights of Nettlebed to Cornelia Bayley at her Jacobean country house, Plas Teg, in North Wales. The house has been featured on various documentaries and is open for public tours. Plas Teg was built by Sir John Trevor I in about 1610. The estate finally left the hands of the Trevors around 1930. By the mid-1950s, Plas Teg was in a state of advanced decay and under threat of demolition. Following a public outcry, the derelict house was purchased

Highclere Castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and filming location of Downton Abbey. The Earl and Countess endorse a collection of fine silk carpets in ancient designs, hand knotted by highly skilled families and sourced directly by Brights of Nettlebed. Timeless Rug Designs Dominating the impressive grounds at Highclere are the striking cedar trees, some of which are 250 years old, grown from seedlings given to the 1st Earl of Carnarvon by his cousin

Brights of Nettlebed proudly presented the 100th and final talk by Charles Spencer on his ‘Sunday Times’ bestselling book destined for the silver screen, Killers of the King.  The evening event was hosted at the Nettlebed Village Club with Champagne Cuvee and finger buffet by The Field Kitchen.  Lord Spencer is fascinating to listen to and his interest in the subject is abundantly clear. Of course, the tasty food and champagne were also very welcomed. After the ta

An evening talk by Stephen Church Our Dorset showroom hosted another fantastic evening talk, this time by master cabinet maker Stephen Church.  Stephen spoke about the research and processes involved to create ultimate quality current day furniture inspired by original classics. Guests were able to talk with Stephen in detail about his stunning pieces and view the other collections of fine hand made furniture that we offer. All proceeds were donated to Whole

Stone Garden Statues - A popular tradition Landscaped grounds accentuated by statues and urns have never gone out of vogue. Stone garden statues, benches, sundials and urns in classical designs from the 18th and 19th centuries are increasingly popular for both traditional and contemporary country houses. The Western tradition of sculpture began in Ancient Greece with masterpieces mostly created as an expression of religion and politics, too extravagant for private individuals to commission

Brights of Nettlebed were proud sponsors of a conversation between Lady Antonia Fraser and Lord Spencer at the 12th Althorp Literary Festival which took place on Saturday 13th June 2015. One of our finest narrative historians, Lady Antonia Fraser discussed her new release My History: A Memoir of Growing Up in which she recounts her childhood, early life and the experiences that inspired her interest in exploring the past. From her days as an evacuee in a romantic Elizabethan manor h

We have partnered with 5th generation clock makers, Comitti clocks, to present beautifully hand crafted time pieces in our King's Road showroom. Comitti Clocks - A Heritage in Clock Making In 1850 Onorato Comitti, an Italian precision instrument maker, opened his workshop in Clerkenwell, London. In a very short time he gained a reputation for superb workmanship and in 1888 the company was acknowledged with a Diploma of Honour as one of the finest barometer and clockmakers in Engla

Elizabeth Brown is a prominent family name in our heritage of trading since the mid 19th Century and we are proud to present exclusive furniture collections designed and developed by us. Living room, bedroom and occasional furniture hand built in quality timbers and high grade veneers. Available in 4 finishes with bespoke sizes to order.   The Elizabeth Brown Dorchester collection The Dorchester collection was designed to suit many interiors whilst meeting the demands of mod

We are pleased to offer signed copies of Killers Of The King by Charles Spencer.  When Charles II was restored to the throne, he set about enacting a deadly wave of retribution against those responsible for his father’s death. Charles Spencer explores the violent clash of ideals through the individuals whose fates were determined by that one, momentous decision. A powerful tale of revenge from the dark heart of royal history and a fascinating insight into the dangers of pol

Brights of Nettlebed have a particular affinity with antique mirrors: Our patrimony stems from Biggs of Maidenhead, an antique dealership established in 1866 and contributors to the publication Queen Anne & Georgian Looking Glasses, by F. Lewis Hinkley. Many of the antique mirrors which passed through Biggs' books are now in Brights' archive, and many designs are based thereon along with mirrors at auctions by Sotheby's and Christies over the past 20 years. Our bespoke mi

Modern reproduction Victorian draws on the finer elements of Victorian design to create pieces which are quietly sympathetic to the majority of interior settings. It tends to have a look which is more “rustic” than other furniture periods. Reproduction Victorian furniture does not necessarily only work in Victorian Spaces. It also suits very well in more modern buildings, and can add a touch of interest: Often a feature piece or talking point. Victorian furniture is extremely

Brights of Nettlebed have the UK's largest stock of reproduction furniture echoing many of the English periods and renowned English furniture designs. Use the top menu to look through reproduction furniture in stock and also collections of period furniture to order. The Origins of Reproduction Furniture What we think of as the true beginnings of the reproduction furniture tradition was introduced by AWM Pugin, whose Gothic Revival Movement was a reference to the colloquial, craftsma

Reproduction Dining Tables A good dining table should be at the heart of every home. It is a piece of furniture around which a family can live out the ups and downs of their lives together; a place where plans can be made, old memories relived and around which celebrations can take place. The reproduction dining table can be the setting for intimate dinners for two – at an anniversary for example, and can see the whole family come together, at Christmas or special birthdays. Brights

Regency furniture - faithful re-creations of classic originals Regency furniture made today The Regency Style reproduction furniture which we create today tends to be from items which will blend with period and transitional style room settings. Regency reproduction furniture also sits well in modern spaces, which often echo the themes of light and space which were so desirable in the 18th and early 19th c. We can upholster pieces in contemporary fabrics to bring the regency reproduction fu

Jupe Tables & Expanding Round Tables State-of-the-Art Dining for your family and friends The conundrum of how to create a circular table which expands has been a problem which had fascinated cabinet makers for centuries. The original Jupe Table was patented 1835 by Johnstone, Jupe & Company as “Jupe’s Improved Expanding Table”. Perhaps it is no coincidence that this is the time England was in the grip of industrialisation. The machine was becoming King, an