Homes & Property

November events

Once the fireworks have fizzed out, the capital segues straight into Christmas, with fun and games at festive fairs.

London's designers are numerous and unique and will offer a personal welcome at special events showcasing original gifts.

Midcentury Modern

Coming together in an historic public school are top dealers of classic last-century furniture, textiles, china, and glass, mixed with high-quality modern designers: over 70 exhibitors in all.

Entrance costs £6; children free. Sunday 15 November from 10am to 4pm; Dulwich College, SE21. Visit www.modernshows.com.

Dazzle

Buy her that ring - or simply browse a fabulous sale of jewellery by over 50 designer-makers from the well-known to new talent; dates are 9 November to 9 January, 2010. Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm; Sunday 12 noon to 6pm (but please check times first).

Olivier Foyer, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1. Call 01580 852503 or visit www.dazzle-exhibitions.co.uk. Or buy from their new website at www.lovedazzle.com all year-round.

The Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair

Antiques, it seems, are newly fashionable - after all they meet the "reuse, recycle and repair" mantra of our times, albeit rather expensively. This major fair, now in its 17th year, attracts around 20,000 visitors and has over 150 exhibitors. It's organised by the UK's two top trade associations.

From 16-22 November at Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14 (which is outside the congestion zone). Tickets in advance cost £10 single, £17 for a pair. On the door: £13 single, £19 for a pair. Call 0871 230 5592 or visit www.olympia-antiques.com.

Two-for-one ticket offer:
Homes and Property readers can get two tickets for the price of one, by calling 0871 230 5592, quoting “Homes and Property”.

Hidden Art

Around 60 studios - mainly in East London - will open their doors to visitors on the weekends of 28-29 November and 6-7 December - download a map from the website www.hiddenart.co.uk.

Winter Made in Clerkenwell

Get a warm welcome from over 70 of London's top designers, as they throw open their doors in two central London studio complexes. They make jewellery, fashion, interior products, ceramics, accessories and traditional crafts.

Dates are 26-29 November, with a special launch night on Thursday 26 November, 5pm to 8pm. Late night shopping is on Friday 27 November, 12noon to 8pm. The show continues on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. Please check opening times before visiting.

Craft Central, 33-35 St John's Square, EC1; and 21 Clerkenwell Green London, EC1; download your invite at www.craftcentral.org.uk. Other Craft Central events include a selling exhibition of contemporary jewellery and ceramics by artist-designer Daisy Choi at St John's Square, EC1, from 9-15 November. For more details, visit www.dayc.co.uk.

Earth, Wood and Fire

Peter Cutting (ceramics), John Mitchell (wood turning) and Geoffrey Image (metal work) have a joint show called Earth, Wood & Fire, from 17-21 November, also at St John's Square. And jewellery designer Karen Morrison's "pop-up shop" is selling handmade precious and semi-precious gemstone jewellery from 10-15 November; at Clerkenwell Green, EC1. Visit www.karenmorrisonjewellery.co.uk.

House & Garden Spirit of Christmas Fair

This fair marks the start of the Christmas season, a London favourite for one-stop Christmas shopping. Gifts galore, or course, but also seasonal food, decorations, and fashion from exclusive makers. With celebrity talks/demos and a sophisticated restaurant, it's always a great deal of fun.

From 4-8 November at Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14. Tickets in advance cost £15; children aged 12-16, £7; tickets on the door: £17, children aged 12-16, £8.50. Under 12s go free. To book, call 0871 230 1089 or visit www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk/.

London Antique Textiles, Carpets and Tribal Art Fair

Now in its ninth year, this exotic fair offers antique textiles, vintage costumes, carpets and tribal art from all corners of the world. On Sunday 8 November at Olympia Hilton Hotel, 380 Kensington High Street, W14. Call 020 8543 5075 or visit www.pa-antiques.co.uk.

Notting Hill Design Fair

A sale of arts and crafts at the 20th Century Theatre, 261 Westbourne Grove, W11, from 6-8 November. Open Friday, 3pm to 8pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm. Call 07966 338778 or visit www.nottinghilldesignfair.co.uk.

At the Dressing Table

Beautifying the boudoir are antique and modern jewellery and precious accessories, including romantic boxes, hair brushes, and powder bowls/compacts, in a special sale from the 30 dealers at The London Silver Vaults. Now open until 30 January 2010; Chancery Lane, WC2. Call 020 7242 3844 or visit www.thesilvervaults.com.

Country Living Fair

A jolly event, when over 380 independent traders pack the halls and galleries of the Islington Design Centre with cheery stalls. Individual and idiosyncratic, you won't find these people on the High Street. They'll be selling handmade gifts, decorations, fashion accessories, delicious seasonal food and more.

From 11-15 November. Tickets cost £11.50 in advance and £15 on the door; Country Living Fair, Islington Design Centre, Upper Street, N1. Visit www.upperstreetevents.co.uk.

E17 Designers' Market

East London has one of the highest concentration of designer-makers in Europe, and many will be selling at this buzzy evening Christmas event, complete with DJ, on Friday 27 November from 7pm to 10pm, at the Asian Centre, 18a Orford Road, London, E17. Call 07904 546294 or visit www.e17designersmarkets.blogspot.com.

21st Century Furniture at Timothy Mark

Britain leads the world with beautiful hand-made furniture, and the Timothy Mark gallery currently has ten leading makers on show. Open now until 30 November; Timothy Marks, 20 New Quebec Street, W1. Call 020 7616 9390, W1. Visit www.timothymark.co.uk.


Published: 03 November 2009
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