Owner Stories: Birdie Burnell on Antiquing
Birdie Burnell is the custodian of The West Wing, Stagshaw House – a stylish wing of a grand country house near Corbridge, deep in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country. The Cartshed, a beautifully styled three-bedroom retreat has also been recently restored by Birdie and is brand new to our collection.
A former fashion editor turned interiors enthusiast, Birdie has an instinctive sense of style shaped by her lifelong exposure to antiques and a creative career working for the likes of Tatler, Condé Nast Traveller and Sunday Times Style Magazine. After many years spent exploring antique fairs and markets across different corners of the world, what started as a creative passion has evolved into a business of her own: BBKH Interiors. We caught up with her to find out more about her favourite items, as well as her top hints and tips for sourcing antiques with confidence.
When did you first become interested in antiques?
I have always lived in houses that are predominantly furnished with antiques, and I often accompanied my parents when I was a young child to flea markets and antique fairs in France and other countries, so I think it was inevitable that a love of antique hunting would naturally kick in! As an eight-year-old, I went to stamp collecting markets with my parents in Paris and I was always drawn to the ones with pretty pictures. I wasn’t a natural collector at that point, but it’s amazing how your taste evolves as you age, and how you find yourself drawn to certain pieces over time – for me it’s normally colour.
Why are you so drawn to decorating with antiques?
I love using antiques in my decorating as I believe it helps add an extra layer to a home, bringing depth to any room. Mixing in antiques with more modern pieces helps to ground a space and creates the impression that the room has evolved over time allowing for a more natural, relaxing and homely space. I love that antique pieces have a history and they have the added advantage of being more sustainable and often more affordable which is both important and useful nowadays.
Can you tell us more about some of your favourite antiques?
Some of my favourite items are things I have had handed down to me from my grandparents or from my mother downsizing – I think these often resonate a lot as they have been around you while growing up. Two of my favourite antique bits are notably colourful and patterned, one is a marble cut table and the other is a wooden, European multicoloured table. I also have a few decorative plates with different patterns that I use as wall decoration in the kitchen, I like these because they are all different and individual but part of a set. I love marquetry and parquetry pieces of furniture for their craftsmanship and pattern as well as anything “chinoiserie” in look. I think this stems from my grandmother, she was American and studied Chinese at Oxford – I never met her, but a few things have been passed down from her and I think that’s piqued my interest. She was a very cool, stylish lady.
What are your top tips for integrating antiques into your home?
The great thing about antiques is that they can be used as much or as little as you like, so if you have a contemporary flat for example, an old painting on the wall would add some unexpected drama. Likewise, a few decorative wall plates in a very modern kitchen can add an element of interest. In a larger family home, an old sofa with a beautiful shape can bring extra style and panache, or a pair of waterfall bookcases in recesses either side of a fireplace can be a wonderful and more unusual alternative to having expensive modern fitted joinery – you can also take them with you if you move. I think if you’re aiming to furnish a letting, it’s important to be mindful of budget and ensure things aren’t too fragile. That said, older items are incredibly well made and tend to stand the test of time. I would also rewire any old lamps to ensure they are safe for use.
If you were encouraging someone to buy their first antique, what would you suggest?
Lighting and lamps are an easy entry into antiques – they come in all shapes and sizes, and lamp bases can be teamed with classic shades made specifically for each base and project to keep them looking stylish.
Are there any antique trends that are popular right now?
I tend to buy what I like and what appeals to me and I do not particularly follow what is “fashionable” right now. I prefer to think of classics in antiques rather than trends – certain looks and styles never go out of fashion and stand the test of time, they look good anywhere and stay consistently popular and therefore user friendly. A classic for me is a beautiful armchair with lovely feet, a sofa in an interesting shape or a Chesterfield, a gilded edge mirror, a large ceramic lamp or wall cupboards in beautiful wood. I know bamboo furniture is considered quite cool and trendy right now, but I would also consider it very classic.
Where locally do you source your antiques? Are there are any shops in the Corbridge or Northumberland area that you would recommend?
I regularly check out the Northumberland Antiques Centre in Hexham as they have lots of dealers, and House of Coria. Another favourite is The Cloth Shed at Hallington who host occasional open weekends selling lovely French antique items.
Can you tell us a little bit about your range of antiques and when they might be launching on your website?
Hopefully very soon – we are currently working on the website which can be found at Birdie B Antiques and BBKH Interiors. To begin with it will offer a mix of smaller items, such as prints and lamps along with a few reupholstered chairs and hopefully some larger items once I have set up a showroom for people to visit.
Could you tell us some of your favourite Corbridge spots?
We are very lucky in Corbridge as we have so many lovely places to pop into.
- Forum Books is housed in a wonderful old chapel and looks beautiful
- The Corbridge Larder for deli produce and small coffee shop upstairs
- The Pele Tower is a unique spot for a drink
- The Cook shop has everything useful that you can possibly think of – literally
- House of Coria is a treasure trove for antique hunting
- Il Piccolo is a lovely Italian restaurant for a family dinner out
- For antiquing RE is a hidden gem and works under the ethos of reclaim, reuse, re-purpose with a whole warehouse full of fun and interesting things, as well as Lawrence Stephenson Antiques which is located nearby
- I also love walking the dog along the riverbank and admiring the village and the stone bridge, which is said to be the oldest bridge over the River Tyne, built in 1235
The West Wing, Stagshaw House
Set near the village of Corbridge in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country, Stagshaw House is a Grade II listed house dating to the early 1500s that affords sweeping views over landscaped gardens and the lush Tyne Valley. Owned by Birdie Burnell’s family since 1868, the current generation has renovated the West Wing to create an elegant three-bedroom property filled with unique and eye-catching antiques.
