Established by Katie Bolton of Danebury, The Danebury Collection was born out of her love for antiques and their role in English country house interiors. Launching very soon, here is an introduction to where Katie's love for antiques all began, with behind the scenes images of our recent photoshoot.
The Beginning
My sister and I grew up being taken around antiques shops and markets and building sites by my mother who was running a successful business in interior design and project management. From a young age in my school and university holidays I would often be in the office helping out on projects.
Early Collecting and Time Abroad
My interest in buying my own antiques developed in Hong Kong when we lived there for a decade and travelled all around Asia. I would spend many a happy hour trawling through the tiny shops and stalls for special things which would become a memento of our time abroad. My husband became a master at carefully packing these finds into our luggage for the trip home.
These ranged from starting a collection of antique Chinese snuff bottles to antique Chinese porcelain vases turned into lamps. From carved jade bowls to cloisonné to Imari plates and even the occasional antique carpet or textile.
Returning Home and Building a Collection
On returning to England I continued building this collection for our country house to include antique furniture, rugs, paintings, prints and ceramics. It often surprised me what good value many of these items offered, especially when taking into consideration their beautiful craftsmanship and the fact that they had been passed from owner to owner over hundreds of years.
The Role of Antiques in Interior Design
Every piece in this collection has been found and chosen by me for the history, character and the individuality it will bring to a room. Often when clients seek the help of interior designers they are focused on the curtains, upholstery, wallpapers and paint colours. The antiques are an afterthought rather than an integral part of the design process.
We want to help clients build collections of antique furniture and other decorative items which will turn their houses into a real home and give them a sense of history and tradition.
Creating a Collected Interior
Many of the most beautiful houses feel lived in and imperfect, but at the same time incredibly comfortable and charming. Antiques are a key ingredient to this alchemy. There is a well understood saying amongst English country house interior designers that rooms should feel lived in and collected rather than bought or decorated.
We hope that over time we can help you achieve this in your own homes.
The Danebury Collection. Launching June 2026.
