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Antiques bring history and personality to a home… and to this vintage store with a difference  

The living-room space is painted Drab Green by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint (edwardbulmer paint.co.uk), which gives the room depth and is the perfect backdrop for antiques. Painting the woodwork the same tone creates a sense of serenity

The rooms all have their original floorboards, which provide a timeless setting for the shop’s mix of antique furniture, fabrics and art, including this Georgian daybed and mid-century lamp

Step beyond the beautiful double-fronted Georgian façade of No 44 High Street, Tetbury, and you’ll notice two things. One, that at just one room deep, the property is far cosier than its grand exterior would suggest; two, its colours: such soothing, tranquil and velvety tones that make you want to stroke the walls.

While its relaxed, seemingly thrown-together interiors style makes it look every inch a much loved and lived-in home, it is actually a carefully curated antiques shop; each room a show space for all manner of vintage furniture, mirrors and art.

‘The only way I could consider running my business from here, given my main home and family are in London, was if I could stay over while at work,’ says its owner, antiques dealer and interiors designer Josephine Ryan. Despite the property not having a ‘proper’ kitchen and only a shower, she says: ‘I love being here. At night when the shop is closed, it is magical. I sit in the smallest room, painted in a serene shade called Drab Green, with the fire and candles lit and the shutters firmly closed, and I feel like I’m in a period drama!’

Tetbury, in Gloucestershire, is well known for its many antiques dealers and design shops, so it is the perfect place for Josephine, whose love of time-worn finds – she confesses to always falling for ‘the frayed edges of used silk curtains or foxing in mirrors’ – help to bring a calm mood to No 44’s interior. 

Her shop is full of natural materials – linens, painted floorboards and scrubbed wooden tables. Old mirrors you can’t see yourself in and battered pewter are key to her style, along with fresh flowers or foraged foliage, such as ‘a single bloom or a lichen-covered branch’ which bring life to a scheme. ‘You can never have too many vases displayed thoughtfully on a shelf – even when not in use they look interesting,’ she explains.

As for decorating, Josephine’s advice is to do as she does and ‘work with the period architecture of the room you are decorating’ but also ‘to create your own personal style’. Paint bare wood furniture, build bespoke cupboards with salvaged antique fronts, install unpolished stone or granite worktops that show the inherent beauty and natural pigment.

Also, use natural fibres, in particular linen, which has an earthiness and chic that works beautifully as curtains, gives texture to upholstery and is luxurious as bedlinen.

Lastly, Josephine says, ‘Take inspiration from everywhere – on a bus, a country walk, art galleries – and remember what delights you.’ Of course, she adds, seek out junk shops and boot fairs – ‘and don’t be afraid to ring the bell of an antiques shop either!’ josephineryanantiques.co.uk

This is an edited extract from Calm by Sally Denning, published by Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd, price £25. To order a copy for £21.25 until 31 October, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over £20.

In the hallway, a rustic wooden table and Belgian oil painting set against walls painted in a calm, natural tone and flagstone floor creates a vibe that feels more like visiting a friend’s house than walking round a shop

Sky-blue walls and off-white woodwork give the dining space an airy, open mood. Chunky antique furniture takes centre stage, while an old armchair – upholstered in Josephine’s go-to linen – is a favourite spot for her dog Ted

For a calm vibe, Josephine suggests teaming similar shapes or colours together on a mantelpiece or table. Or play with scale to create a striking focal point, as with this oversized dried foliage in a huge urn

The bedroom walls are painted in restful Jonquil by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint (edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk). These paints are eco-friendly and allow walls and woodwork to breathe as well as giving a slightly textured finish

 How to channel Josephine’s vintage vision

 From getting the best price to mixing and matching, here are her tips 

• Keep an open mind. Antiques – unless they are copies, in which case avoid – are one-offs, so it may take time to find what you are looking for.

• Be ready to bargain. While dealers will let you pay with cards, cash still gets you everywhere. 

• Take a measuring tape and also swatches of fabric or wallpaper, and even a photo of your room to help you picture how your antique item will look in your home.

• If you love something, buy it. You’ll regret it later if you don’t. Some things may cost more than you expect to pay, others may be less. It will all balance out in the end. Antiques will last you your lifetime. 

• Create collections – things always look better in multiples, such as threes and fives. And mix your styles – think a Georgian table with mid-century chairs, a Swedish chest of drawers with a rococo lamp. 

• Before you part with your money, think about transport costs. While delivery is sometimes included in the price, always check first. 

•  Remember, antiques get reused… so are green!   

 Britain's best antique fairs 

Where to go hunting for your dream vintage piece 

Ardingly Antiques Fair

With around 1,700 stalls and goods ranging from furniture to silverware, Ardingly, near Gatwick in West Sussex, has a reputation as one of the best fairs to source quality European decorative items. Its two-day market – often a Tuesday (£20 admission) and Wednesday (£5 admission) – is held most months. iacf.co.uk/ardingly

Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair

This fair is on four times a year and regularly attracts over 300 quality antiques dealers from around the UK. Held in the stunning and historic setting of North London’s Alexandra Palace, it boasts everything from antique silver, jewellery, pottery and glass to more contemporary items. Admission is £6. iacf.co.uk/alexandra-palace/

Lincolnshire Antiques & Home Show

You’ll find everything from fine antiques, including art and furniture, to architectural salvage at this one-day, bi-monthly vintage extravaganza. Established in 1995, this unmissable event has a reputation for attracting not just collectors, but the likes of set designers and prop buyers, too. Admission £5. asfairs.com

Sunbury Antiques Market

If you like an early start, get down to this Surrey gem at around 6.30am – apparently this is the best time to beat the queues and bag yourself a one-of-a-kind vintage find from one of its 700+ traders. Held on the first and last Tuesday of every month, entry is free – as is parking. We’re sold! sunburyantiques.com/kempton

Newark Antiques Fair

This two-day, bi-monthly event is the ultimate treasure-hunting ground – in fact, it’s the largest in Europe. Spread over 84 acres at Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, it is host to over 2,500 stands selling everything from vintage vinyl records to rare coins. Admission is £20 on Thursdays and £5 on Fridays. iacf.co.uk/newark