Thoughtfully curated works from a Chester Jones designed interior will be offered in the upcoming 25 & 26 March Fine Interiors sale. Further treasures from the collection will then appear in Sworders’ Modern & Contemporary Art, Design, and Old Master, British and European Art auctions.
13 March 2025
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Just moments from Holland Park’s Leighton House and the Design Museum, this Addison Road home, built in 1856-57, carries a rich artistic legacy. Its most celebrated resident, Victorian painter Herbert Gustave Schmalz (1856-1935), created its beautiful studio, which remains a defining feature. Today, the interiors - designed by Chester Jones - offer a calm and inviting atmosphere, seamlessly blending character and elegance whilst honouring the building’s artistic heritage.
'A Chester Jones Interior' © Russell Simpson
Chester Jones is a British interior designer, architect and author, known for his timeless, understated and meticulously styled interiors. His studio is small, deliberately so, but his experience is wide. Jones was an architect before joining Colefax and Fowler, one of the UK’s principal firms of traditional decoration, ending up as managing director.
'A Chester Jones Interior' © Russell Simpson
With a background in architecture and an encyclopedic knowledge of contemporary art and antiques, Chester Jones crafts interiors that harmoniously meld elegance and comfort. His design philosophy - rooted in balance, erudition, and the joy of living among meaningful objects - is reflected throughout the current owner’s collection. The bold, monochromatic pattern of a Nafana Bedu plank mask creates a striking contrast against off-white walls, while the rich patina of an 18th-century Italian armoire is juxtaposed with the vivid colour palettes of modern and contemporary artwork, showcasing a masterful interplay of history and creativity.
'A Chester Jones Interior'
Chester Jones and his team incorporate antiques and artefacts from diverse cultures and periods - not for their nostalgia, but to form a ‘collage of intriguing relationships’ through careful arrangement. These pieces interact, enhancing one another, gaining new energy, and remaining relevant in the present. As the thoughtfully curated works from this collection come to market through Sworders’ upcoming sales, they offer a glimpse into a design philosophy where past and present exist in perfect harmony - proof that great interiors, like great art, are never bound by time.
'A Chester Jones Interior' © Russell Simpson
Further items from the collection will be offered for sale in Sworders’ Modern & Contemporary Art, Design, and Old Master, British and European Art auctions - see our upcoming auctions for further information.
fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
A remarkable collection of 177 lots of rare and historic Bibles feature in our timed auction of Books, Manuscripts and Maps from 17-27 April, offering collectors, scholars and history enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own some of the most significant early English translations of the Holy Scriptures. The collection showcases centuries-old editions that played a pivotal role in shaping religious thought, language and culture.
15 April 2025
Ahead of his upcoming ‘retirement sale’ on 13–14 May, we caught up with the ever-charismatic Paul Atkinson to uncover some of the captivating stories behind the lots on offer.
11 April 2025
With styles and silhouettes endlessly evolving during the Victorian period, the continuous advancements in fashion offered women more choice and freedom regarding their attire. Sworders are delighted to present a collection of Victorian clothing in our upcoming Jewellery, Designer Handbags & Accessories sale, taking place on Wednesday 23 April.
9 April 2025