The legendary King’s Road shop Guinevere has been trading for over fifty years. It’s a vast treasure trove of decorative antiques spanning many eras and continents. In this post we have focused on one of our favourite rooms in the shop, the Textile Room – a wonderful source of vintage linen, blankets, bedspreads, as well as 19^th century textiles which have been cleverly revived for modern use.

Guinevere has been dealing in vintage Indian dhurries since the late 1980s. The shop usually carries around 70 to 100 of these vintage pieces at any one time, and also offers bespoke dhurries, designed and made to clients’ specifications. These are woven in Rajasthan using only vegetable dyed yarns on traditional hand looms. They are then stone-washed to create a similar look and feel to the older versions.

Rolls of 19th century linen re-invented with colourful vegetable dyes.

Vintage hand-printed saris that have been made into bedspreads in single, double and even triple sizes.

These 19th Century French damask napkins have been vegetable and indigo dyed, and given a modern, vibrant feel.

Vintage French ticking, Welsh blankets, Marcella bedspreads and Durham quilts.

19th Century French quilt covered hot water bottles

19th Century double- sided cotton shawls from Punjab, India, 19th century blue and white ticking and checked fabrics, and vintage French linen sheets.

An assortment of 19th century hemp rolls with coloured stripes.

This iconic company, famous for its visual displays, for juxtaposing old and new, and for its traffic-stopping shop windows, has furnished the homes of the elite and the style-conscious since it started trading on the King’s Road in 1963.   As a leading source of inspiration, the shop’s eclectic offerings appeal to interior designers and private clients looking for something unique, of high quality and with visual impact.

GUINEVERE, THE FIRST 50 YEARS tells the story of Guinevere from its origins in 1963 to the present day. It includes features on the founders and interviews with those who manage the business now. The book covers styling, consults designers, reviews interiors, and takes you on a frenetic buying trip to Bombay and Rajasthan. £40

Guinevere is at 574-580 King’s Rd, London, SW6 2DY
Tel: 00 44 (0)20-7736 2917  www.guinevere.co.uk