With previous careers in retail and store design, husband-and-wife team Steve and Kerry Amies turned their talents to opening Track 21 Interiors in Southampton in 2018 having traded at fairs and online for several years.
They are among a clutch of new exhibitors at the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair (October 22-24).
1 What is your area of focus?
We don’t have one! Our focus is on only buying what we like and feel passionate about ourselves. Our ‘look’ has very much changed over the years, from vintage industrial back in the beginning to primitive European and now a complete eclectic mix with a lot more English pieces.
2 What challenges are facing the trade in the coming months?
The import and export hurdles are sure to have had the biggest impact in recent months. But it will only get easier as more and more people start to navigate their way through it and share their experiences and tips with each other.
A 19th century French copper cheese vat for sale from Track 21 at the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair (October 22-24) for £550.
3 Have you noticed any collecting trends in the last 6-12 months?
Largely, we think people have been buying into a lot more decorative items ‘just because’. The amount of time we have had to spend in our own homes over the last year has really encouraged everyone to look at the space around them and think about surrounding themselves with things they like to look at, not just functional pieces.
We’ve seen an increase in sales of pretty hand-painted Kashmiri pieces, parquetry and purely-for-display pieces.
4 One lesson you would like to pass on to others in the trade?
Make life easier for yourself, especially if selling via Instagram and online. Take the initial time to include every measurement and photo of back, sides, underneath as you can be sure that someone will want something you haven’t done! Because if, like us, your stock is held somewhere you have to travel to, you can spend a lot of time running back and forth. Putting the effort in at the beginning means people can just say ‘yes’ from the off.
5 Real ale or espresso martini?
We are both big real ale drinkers!
