{"id":20998,"date":"2023-05-11T16:54:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T14:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=18052"},"modified":"2023-05-11T17:36:50","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T15:36:50","slug":"a-perfect-find-antiques-dealers-jo-and-michael-saffells-bath-home","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/a-perfect-find-antiques-dealers-jo-and-michael-saffells-bath-home\/","title":{"rendered":"A perfect find: antiques dealers Jo and Michael Saffell\u2019s Bath home"},"content":{"rendered":"

When relocating to Bath, antiques dealers Jo and Michael Saffell weren\u2019t just after a period home \u2013 they were also looking for a place with a ready-made shop below, now filled with their collections of hard-to-come by British tins. Feature Joanna Thornycroft Photographs Andreas von Einsiedel <\/p>

By Christianne Raymer\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 11 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

It\u2019s fair to say that antiques run in Jo Saffell\u2019s family. Her father, brother, sister, aunt and one of her cousins were all antiques dealers<\/a> and she and husband Michael have been in the business since 1975. Initially, the couple had a shop in Plymouth with Jo\u2019s sister but Michael found himself increasingly returning to Bath, where he had been a student, to sell his stock at The Great Western Antiques Centre.<\/p>\n

\u2018We both admired the architecture and the beauty of the stone\u2019, says Michael. Deciding they would try and buy a typical Georgian<\/a> house in the city was one thing but it also needed to have a shop on the ground floor, a family-sized space above and fit the couple\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n

The house they found 33 years ago seemed ideal: just 10 minutes from the town centre, largely untouched and, critically, it included\na shop, which had been a butchers since the early 1800s, when most of the street-level rooms were turned into shops. The 1970s \u2018old lady\u2019 wallpaper<\/a> could be removed and ideas for restoration were excitedly discussed.<\/p>\n

What was not evident was the fact that the house was leaning against its neighbour and needed serious propping up. \u2018Our surveyor mentioned there were a few problems with this place but we went ahead with the purchase,\u2019 says Jo. That problem required the interiors to be stripped out and it took the couple 10 years to sort out the legal aspects.<\/p>\n

You might also like<\/strong> a restored Regency apartment in Bath<\/a><\/p>\n

When the restoration work began, with help from a historic buildings grant, Michael and Jo determined to preserve as much of the period detailing as possible \u2013 from sections of mouldings and the butcher\u2019s shop iron hooks on the exterior to marble slabs, which are now countertops in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

While the butcher\u2019s shop previously took up the whole ground floor, Michael has managed to contain the shop, which specialises in old decorative tins of every sort imaginable, to the front. The couple\u2019s bright kitchen is behind with stunning views over the garden.<\/p>\n

Painted in Farrow and Ball\u2019s<\/a> \u2018Dorset Cream\u2019, it comprises unfitted, painted furniture with homemade open shelves, a large ceramic sink, old tins still in use and Victorian printed show cards and product labels. \u2018The light is stunning all year no matter what the weather,\u2019 says Michael, \u2018and having open vistas over the river is a great bonus\u2019.<\/p>\n

When it came to decoration, Jo and Michael have tried to reflect the period of the house by using soft natural paint colours. Not only is Michael a knowledgeable antiques expert but he is a skilled carpenter and decorator, too. He built the bedroom cupboards and headboard, painting them and the walls to resemble old stone and enhanced the sitting room fireplace with a marbling effect.<\/p>\n

You might also like<\/strong> an antiques dealer\u2019s 18th-century home in London<\/a><\/p>\n

Although the couple began to specialise in antique tins<\/a> after moving to Bath, the collections in their home are broad. Throughout the house are humorous enamel signs from a bygone age. One reads, \u2018No climbing on the railings by patients or staff.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018They come from all sorts of sources, from hospitals to chemists,\u2019 says Michael. The couple have a preference for craftsmanship and things with a story. \u2018Most of our possessions have been with us for a long time,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018All the old china is used daily and there is nothing precious about the antique furniture.\u2019<\/p>\n

On the kitchen wall is a display of wooden peels. These are boards with handles that were once commonly used for removing baked items such as bread from the oven. The Saffell\u2019s collection is mostly early to mid 19th century and made of pine, sycamore, elm and fruitwood.\nOf course, there are also some very decorative tins that have escaped the shop in evidence around the home, too.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have to be fairly disciplined. There are times when things may sneak in for a little while\u2026\u2019 says Michael with a smile.<\/p>\n

\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
In the kitchen, Jo uses antique tin jugs (c1905) as flower containers.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
the decorative balcony of the shop still has its iron fittings where meat and game was hung from poles during its time as a butchers.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
A Butlins tin illustrates showgirls and the famous holiday camp jackets.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
Michael\u2019s stock of tins is displayed in cupboards and open shelves.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
An old oak box in the kitchen is home to some brass weights.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
Jo and Michael\u2019s collection of Huntley & Palmers oriental-style biscuit tins in their living room dates from the 1890s to 1908. These particular designs are quite rare due to their condition, age and their desirable facades but the design on the right, \u2018Japanese\u2019, is currently available from Jo and Michael\u2019s shop. Huntley & Palmers was established in 1822 in Reading and by 1860 it was the world\u2019s biggest biscuit manufacturer. Its decorative metal tins ranged from those in the shape of handbags to royal commemorative designs. Today, its tins can sell for between \u00a310 and \u00a3350.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
An Ikea candle chandelier has been embellished with an old brass chain and faceted glass discs bought at the Birmingham Rag Market.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
The blue, white and orange china on top of the dresser is \u2018Fantasy\u2019 by Barker Bros. The blue-and-white plates are marked \u2018Turners patent\u2019 and are quite rare. The collection of peel boards makes a striking display on the wall above.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
The garden has been landscaped and planted with borders of hardy herbs.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
The sitting room features an overmantel mirror that the couple bought at an auction in Plymouth. The inherited club chair has a throw from the Biggest Blanket Company. An Edwardian brass coal box and fender complements the unusual Regency fire guard.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
Hanging above a chest of drawers in the bedroom is a 1924 hand-tinted photograph of a young girl posed against a dreamy wooded landscape. \u2018I bought it about 35 years ago for its charm and lovely frame,\u2019 says Michael.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
Michael made the bedhead to match the pair of cupboards opposite. An indigo Indian kantha throw from Egg in London is teamed with a sage cashmere blanket, adding a cosy touch to the bed.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Saffell's\"<\/picture><\/div>
Michael built and painted a pair of storage cupboards in the bedroom to complement the stone-coloured walls. Between them is a Victorian writing table.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Andreas von Einsiedel<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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