Winter view of Battersea Park along the Thames with “The Decorative Fair” text overlay and dates January 20–26, 2026.

The Decorative Fair: A Living Sourcebook for Antiques & Design

Where design, history and inspiration meet in perfect harmony 

For more than four decades, The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair has stood as a creative beacon for interior designers, collectors, and style-seekers from around the globe. A unique confluence of antiques, fine art, decorative pieces, and 20th-century design The Fair unfolds three times each year in London’s Battersea Park, each edition a chance to explore, discover, and fall in love all over again with pieces that speak to the soul of a space.  

The Winter 2026 edition, taking place January 20–25, 2026, returns to Evolution London in Battersea Park, offering a moment of warmth, texture, and visual interest at a time when interiors naturally turn inward and character matters most. 

 

Folk art horse sculpture constructed from metal components displayed alongside an antique wooden chest of drawers with original hardware, showcasing sculptural and practical objects at The Decorative Fair.

A Legacy of Inspiration 

Since its launch in 1985, The Fair has carved out a distinctive niche in the world of interiors — not merely as a marketplace, but as a living sourcebook for how objects, history, and design come together. From period lighting to modernist mirrors, colorful studio glass to vintage watches, each object feels poised to chart a new story in your home.  

Now in its 40th year, The Decorative Fair continues to attract both long-established names and a new generation of younger dealers, reinforcing its reputation as a place where tradition and fresh perspective coexist with ease. 

Interior designer Mary Graham of Salvesen Graham has reflected on the Fair’s enduring role within the design community: 

“It has helped demystify the art of buying and selling antiques … It shows how styles can sit together, reinforcing our belief that if a piece is well designed and well made, it’ll work in any scheme.”

That mix of confidence and discovery, of curated breadth and thoughtful depth, is what draws designers back year after year. 

 

Antique wooden chest with red-painted drawers and varied metal pulls displayed beside a decorative painted crucifix, highlighting utilitarian furniture and religious folk art at The Decorative Fair.

Design Perspectives from the Trade 

Across the interior design world, voices from the trade continue to celebrate the Fair’s distinctive rhythm.

Many leading designers appreciate The Decorative Fair not just for its stock, but for the creative possibilities it unlocks — a sentiment echoed in galleries and studios long after the doors close each season. 

“I love the Fair’s variety — not just of styles and periods, but in how dealers approach them … You can almost furnish an entire home here, in a laid-back yet curated setting.” 

— Dorian Caffot de Fawes, designer and dealer featured at the Fair.  

This restless curiosity, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary relevance, is what keeps designers and collectors returning season after season. Whether you’re sourcing an heirloom furniture piece, a stand-out textile, or an unexpected accent object, the breadth of possibilities is staggering. 

 

Antique wooden wardrobe shown next to a pair of early 20th-century wooden armchairs with woven seats, representing functional furniture forms found at The Decorative Fair.

Why Designers Love Battersea 

What makes The Decorative Fair so beloved by interior professionals and private buyers alike? A few defining notes: 

Curated discovery: More than 130 expert dealers presenting antiques, fine and decorative art, and 20th-century design, spanning the 1700s through the Seventies at diverse price points.  

Inspiring room sets and displays: It’s one thing to see beautiful objects; it’s another to see them come to life as part of a thoughtful interior scheme.  

Trade-driven energy: Designers, stylists, and decorators populate the aisles, sourcing for client projects and personal spaces alike.  

A welcoming, well-considered atmosphere: The Fair is dog-friendly with an on-site restaurant and thoughtful services like packing and export assistance to make the experience effortless and joyful.  

Upstairs on the Mezzanine, the London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair (LARTA) adds another layer of discovery, bringing together specialist dealers in rugs, carpets, woven art, and antique textiles. For designers, it’s a rare opportunity to source foundational pieces that ground a room and set the tone for an entire interior. 

 

Hand-thrown ceramic vessel with a softly tapered neck shown alongside a mounted natural history skull, illustrating the range of sculptural and collectible objects featured at The Decorative Fair.

Decorative Today — Designed for Tomorrow 

In recent seasons, The Decorative Fair continues to evolve with the design landscape — welcoming modern influences alongside the enduring charm of traditional craft. It remains a cornerstone for the interiors calendar, where timeless aesthetic values meet fresh, contemporary enthusiasm. 

This Winter, a curated foyer display at the entrance sets the tone. Rooted in the early 1920s, the installation explores a pivotal moment just before modernism took hold — when emerging ideas mingled with late-19th-century aesthetics and Art Nouveau influences. It’s a quiet reminder that design evolution is rarely abrupt, and that the most compelling interiors often live in the spaces between movements. 

Whether you’re walking past oversized tribal weavings, discovering a sculptural Brutalist gem, or finding the mirror that quietly anchors a room, this London institution invites you to pause, wander, and imagine 

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit: decorativefair.com. 

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