In just a few weeks Dreweatts' Donnington Priory salerooms and London Gallery will be transformed. This will be thanks to the design vision of Daniel Slowik, associate director of renowned design firm, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler who has been invited to curate exclusively designed room-sets with selected items from the auction of The Collection of Sir William Whitfield CBE.
We asked him a few questions…
How did you get started in the business?
I was always keen to join an auction house and worked for a while at Sotheby’s but following a stint giving talks about the interior of Kensington Palace, decided I enjoyed the context as much as the work of the art itself.
How would you describe your own style?
Redacted traditional.
Do you have a design/interior design hero and why?
John Fowler. He was brilliantly original and invented the idea of ‘couture’ decoration.
What are you currently fascinated by outside of the profession, and how does it influence your work?
Visiting country houses. This has always fed in to my work.
What advice would you give to the unconfident buyer at auction?
It’s the fairest way to buy. The bidders establish the price. You can find amazing bargains but don’t get carried away. If you are the successful bidder, it was meant to be. If you aren’t, it wasn’t!
What do you consider to be the most interesting developments in design and architecture at present, and why?
There is a move back in a more traditional direction which is exciting. Not to the revivalist 80s and 90s but in a more measured sense. Appreciation of good detailing in architecture, design, colour and layering in interiors with a growing interest in antiques and collecting.
What are your colour/trend predictions for winter 2020 and spring 2021?
Hopefully a further move away from the world of ‘greige’ and more people having fun with their interiors.
The rooms will be open to the public this February and March. We very much look forward to sharing them with you!
THE COLLECTION OF SIR WILLIAM WHITFIELD CBE
AUCTION DATE & LOCATION
Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 March | 10.30am
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
VIEWING IN LONDON:
(Selected highlights)
16-17 Pall Mall, St James's, London SW1Y 5LU
Tuesday 25 - Thursday 27 February: 10am-5pm
VIEWING AT DONNINGTON PRIORY:
Thursday 5 March: 10am-5pm
Friday 6 March: 10am-5pm
Saturday 7 March: 10am-2pm
Sunday 8 March: 10am-2pm
Monday 9 March: 10am-5pm
Day of sale: from 8.30am
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