As a valued event organiser in the newly launched THD x ANF Calendar partnership, The Antique Dealers Fair Ltd (ADFL) exemplifies the synergy between timeless antiques and inspired interiors. Known for its boutique fairs in exceptional locations, ADFL has become a trusted name among collectors, designers and dealers alike. In this blog, The House Directory and Antiques News & Fairs had the pleasure of speaking with founder Ingrid Nilson to uncover the story behind the fairs.

Q1: We are delighted to talk to you to learn more about The Antique Dealers Fair Ltd (ADFL), and what your goals were when you founded the company some 20+ years ago?  It seems that you have cornered the market in boutique events in beautiful locations among them Mayfair, London W1 – with any luck returning in January 2026, and The National Trust’s Petworth Park in May each year. How important is the venue to your company, compared to other considerations when looking at a new event?

The company was launched 22 years ago to stage the LAPADA Autumn Antiques & Fine Art Fair at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2004 – I was a director of the board of LAPADA the Association of Art & Antiques Dealers at the time, being a dealer in antique prints as well as an event manager with lots of trade contacts. As the association was keen to re-establish a fair in the provinces and I had the relevant organising background, the event at the newly built Centaur was created. Since that time, my company has started a number of fairs across England from scratch, always looking for venues with visitor appeal such as good transport links, parking and restaurant facilities. The venue size, reputation and location are also key, and we have now narrowed down the ADFL schedule to The Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair in May 2026, and potentially The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair at the five-star London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, next scheduled for 8-11 January 2026. Another important consideration for me as an organiser is to make sure that a fair is financially viable, so attracting the right number of exhibitors, offering a good variety of quality disciplines, is top of the list. At the moment, we need another ten dealers to sign up for Mayfair in order for the event to be confirmed, and I urge the trade to support any of the shows that remain on the calendar in these somewhat testing and uncertain times.

Q2: To manage a company like ADFL, which is a premium brand in the antiques industry, you must rely on an expert team to help you manage not only the logistics and the marketing but also to support your role with dealer engagement?  How easy it is for you to delegate and what advice can you offer our professional readers on juggling all these roles?

ADFL is a tightly run company with me overseeing all aspects of the operations and handling stand sales, venue interaction, contractors and event layout. But I do of course have a long-standing and invaluable team that concentrates on PR and marketing, graphic design, websites and front of house roles. Delegating these professional roles is straight forward, and otherwise I try to keep on top of the logistics by making endless lists and site visits so any potential problems are ironed out before they occur.

Q3: Our strapline at THDxANF is ‘where antiques meet interior design”.  We recognise the importance of blending these two major sectors of the industry, alongside the current rise of the makers’ sector in crafts and design.  We recently introduced you to Bloomsbury Revisited who exhibited with you at the recent Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair, showing their handmade lampshades.  How do you feel their presence enhanced your already super successful event?  Is this an arena you would like to expand at future events?

Working with Bloomsbury Revisited was a great pleasure and their product fitted in very well with the general offering at the event which can be described as eclectic objects and works of art for people to enjoy in their own homes. There was an enhanced PR angle that benefited both parties, and I certainly believe the Petworth Park fair could accommodate a few other makers of similarly high quality in future.

Q4: The Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair is your annual flagship event with an extensive waiting list each year and a vast and loyal audience in attendance.  What are the key attributes that have made this event such a unique success?

We are fortunate to have a unique setup in West Sussex which makes the fair special: the stunning location in Petworth Park, the fact that the National Trust and Petworth House are fully behind our event, and the effort that has gone into fostering a good relationship with the businesses in Petworth. The local galleries, antiques shops, restaurants and wine merchants all benefit from the increased footfall the fair provides over three days, and in return they generously circulate our invitations and display posters. Various local organisations offer marketing assistance and these partnerships have helped make the fair an annual highlight. And lastly, the select line-up of specialist exhibitors adds to the show’s special feel and helps create the positive atmosphere our many regular visitors have come to enjoy over the past ten years.

Q5: In your role as a respected and experienced fair organiser, you have been invited by both eminent trade associations, The Cotswold Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association (CADA), and peer group organisers to act as fair director at their events – eg The Northern Antiques Fair.  How easy is it for you to migrate to management of other events? What challenges does this bring?

Organising fairs on behalf of an association or an independent owner is really not any different to staging an event by my own company. On the plus side, the financial risk is borne by someone else, and I simply get on with doing all the jobs I normally do. There is of course an extra layer of admin, making sure all decisions are supported by the client, but as I have a very good relationship with both CADA and the Northern Antique Dealers Fair Limited, this is not particularly time consuming or onerous.

Q6: Your events are fairly evenly distributed across the calendar with the CADA fair in March, now held in Chelsea Old Town Hall, Petworth Park in May, The Northern Antiques Fair in September and then – potentially – a return of Mayfair in January so there is not much downtime between each campaign!  We heard that you have recently moved to the Dorset coast after many years in Kent. How do you find time to relax?

It is true that running the business and managing multiple annual events takes up most of my time, but having happily let the work dominate my life for over thirty years, I only need little 36 or 48 hour breaks now and then. I take great pleasure in mundane housekeeping tasks and the relaxation comes from doing something not related to the business, such as gardening or ironing. Moving house has been a big undertaking but seeing things come together provides a great amount of satisfaction.

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“It has been good to work with and have the support of both The House Directory and Antiques News & Fairs over the years and my team and I look forward to continuing to work together in the future.” Ingrid Nilson

We hope this Q&A has given you a genuine insight into what makes ADFL’s boutique fairs so special. Whether you’re a dealer thinking about exhibiting at an upcoming fair or a design lover planning a visit, ADFL events offer a unique opportunity where antiques and interiors come together in truly inspiring settings.

For more inspiration, browse our latest stories and explore the Calendar.