Grand Plans | Emma Barnett, Head of Homes & Interiors

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I am lucky to have a large and close family who have an interest in the arts – whether it be visual or musical. Some of my earliest memories are associated with the items in my Nana’s house; as a Greek who grew up in China, her house was full of silk embroideries, watercolours and curiosities that reflected her upbringing and cultural heritage. If I had to pin it down to a single influence, this is what sparked my love of history and the sentimentality of objects.

I went on to study Art History at the University of Warwick, but surprisingly, this wasn’t my first thought of degree choice. As an animal lover, I initially wanted to pursue geography and work in environmental or wildlife conservation. That idea didn’t last long - probably for the better, given my questionable navigation skills! – and my passion for the Classical epoch soon overruled my interest in coastal erosion. One of the main driving forces behind my change of mind and (what I now like to think of as) my career-defining epiphany was a stint of work experience at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers. As anyone in the auction industry knows, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the exciting and fast-paced atmosphere - and who wouldn’t enjoy handling beautiful and unusual objects every day?

My undergraduate degree gave me a broad understanding of art from Giotto to Gauguin, and studying in Italy solidified my knowledge of the Renaissance. However, with surveyors as parents, it was only fitting that I specialised in Medieval Architecture. Remarkably, this niche area of expertise has not gone unused – you would be surprised by the number of similarities between a church portal and Georgian furniture.

^{Emma Barnett - Head of Department | Homes & Interiors}

Having graduated from university during the peak of COVID-19, jobs in auction houses were few and far between. I ended up working in luxury travel PR for a year, which was probably more unexpected given that no one was allowed to leave their county, let alone the country. As things settled, I was fortunate to find a cataloguing position at a Birmingham saleroom, but after four years of studying and working in the West Midlands, I decided to return home to London/Essex and started with Sworders in 2021.

Working in the Homes & Interiors Department for the past two years has been a dream. I will always be grateful to do a job that I genuinely enjoy. The sale is extremely varied, so every day presents an exciting opportunity - meeting new people, listening to their stories and learning about their fascinating objects never gets old.

From the beginning, Alex Froggatt has been a positive influence, sharing his insight and experience as an auctioneer. Alongside our excellent photography department and Victoria Emmings (our Sale Administrator), we have worked to develop Homes & Interiors with a focus on sustainability and accessibility. I look forward to building upon the work started by Alex and intend to listen to the market to create a recognisable brand for the sale that ties in with Sworders’ innovative values.

Homes & Interiors

Tuesday 5 December | 9:30am

homesandinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

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