AFTER 30 YEARS, this remains the leading furniture and accessories with an industrial decorative regional event to beat. Where rustic garden furniture meets Mid-century design and country house antiques rub shoulders with Swedish painted furniture. Held at The Pavilion, the Fair holds a strong position in the antiques trade – enjoying an international audience, and a unique, almost club-like atmosphere, amongst its loyal exhibitors and clients.

Starting its days as a fleamarket devoted primarily to products from the 50s to the early 80s, today Brussels Design Market is anything but, and is considered to be one of the best events in Europe dedicated to 20th century design. Held twice a year, in March and September, the event welcomes somewhere in the region of 100 exhibitors and over 7,000 visitors to its exceptional location: Sheds 3 and 4 of Tour & Taxis – home to Belgian’s largest cultural events, shows and fairs.

Regular readers will by now know that VE, alongside our trading arm Molecula, are stalwarts at this once-a-year event, and as usual we’ve been looking forward to it all year – a bit like greeting an old friend. Not only do we love Amsterdam, but we’ve also sold well here over the years, and have made some great contacts.

Next up is the event that gets all the interior designer’s pulses racing; the wonderful Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair held at Battersea Park in London.

A family-owned fair that launched in 1985, the first to specifically unite the antiques and interior design trades. Held three times a year – spring, autumn and winter - anyone who knows about design will have heard of it, and to those who haven’t, it’s the UK’s biggest design fair, which runs for an impressive six days!

Les Puces du Designs was the first European market exclusively dedicated to furniture from the post-war era. Created in 1999 by founder Fabien Bonillo, who was then one of only 15 merchants in France specialising in furniture from the 50s to the 70s. He wanted to share his passion for design at a time when the vintage word was known only to wine lovers and some fashion enthusiasts!

Molecula is the trading arm of VE Magazine fronted by restorer, history buff and design lover Jez Speed. Having been an independent publisher since 2000, and dealing in Antiques and Design for almost 20 years, we feel well placed to write about all aspects of this fascinating trade!

Hosted by the same enthusiastic team that produce VE magazine – the in print, and online publication for those with a passion for well-made vintage items with heritage, charm and individuality. Interestingly, at least half of the VE subscribers are men – with an age range from 25 to 65 - which is why there’s a Mantiques section in each and every issue.

One of the largest and most diverse toy collections to come on the market for years is up for auction on 21st and 22nd February with Anderson and Garland in Newcastle. More than 5000 toys and movie props have been collected by antique shop owner Derek Payne over 25 years. Until recently, many were on display to the public in a Toy Museum at his shop premises in Moffat, Scotland.

Chilcotts Auctioneers is to sell a variety of antiques and other items of interest from the clearance of waterside hotel, Millers at The Anchor in Porlock Weir.

The Honiton based auctioneers were invited to collect the items by Somerset hoteliers Nigel and Anne Way, who recently purchased the leasehold of the three-storey building with the intention of creating a health and wellbeing hotel.

William Arthur Smith Benson (1854-1924) was not just a designer and manufacturer of brass and copper lighting and other household objects. As demonstrated by the rare, museum-quality side cabinet on offer at Sworders’ 20th Century Design sale in Stanstead Mountfitchet on January 29, he was also a designer of furniture.

With the festive season fast approaching, many of us are readying ourselves to tackle the challenge of giving the perfect gift. In an age where sustainability and counting your blessings is important, we’ll most likely be on the hunt for something built to last and that will inevitably be cherished. A symbolic piece of antique or vintage jewellery could be the perfect solution to this present buying dilemma.

There are many options to consider when it comes to designing your garden. From rustic inspired gardens that blend in with the surrounding environment, to ultra modern designs that adhere to the latest trends. One style that is increasingly popular is the vintage garden aesthetic. This harkens back to the traditional British garden that many recognise from old photos. Creating your own timeless garden is simple, as these 4 tips show:

As practical and beguiling as when it was first made, Danish designer Poul Cadvius’ ‘Væg Møbler’ fits effortlessly into any modern or vintage decor. By Colin Pill.