When you step into Tamsin Johnson’s showroom, your mind immediately begins to conjure imaginary domestic scenes that feature her wares. One in which a pair of mid-century oak armchairs (1960s, France), with cream bouclé upholstery, occupy your living room. You can see, in your mind’s eye, just how fabulous that wrought-iron candelabra (1920s, France) would look on the mantlepiece, and how that majolica Palissy wall plate (Portugal, 1940s), with its lacquered red crab, would make an enviable addition to the kitchen.

Johnson is one of Australia’s most sought-after interior designers, but she’s also an antiques dealer. Her new showroom on Victoria Street in Paddington, just 100 metres away from her design studio and the original showroom on William Street, is literally packed to the rafters with antiques and vintage furnishings.

Among mid-century rattan chairs and art deco sconces, there are French consoles and Italian chandeliers dating to the 18th century.

Redeem a double pass to the MCA Artbar. Starting at $12 a month, join Broadsheet Access.

SIGN UP

What’s the difference between the William Street and Victoria Street locations? “More, more, more,” Johnson says.

BS: We love your William Street showroom – what was the reason behind the move to the new Paddington location?

TJ: More space – I had outgrown the William Street address. I want to offer more antique pieces alongside my interior design business, and I needed a place where people could view [the pieces] in person rather than just online.

I can be more articulate with this space. I have such a tranche of great finds and it feels better curated like this. Perhaps there is a little nostalgia in it, too – my parents were antique dealers, and it is great to be part of that trade.

BS: What in particular appealed to you about this space?

TJ: It’s hard to find building formats like this in Paddington, so it was a pretty automatic decision. The large doors make the rotation of our furniture imports easier – bigger and awkward pieces are a piece of cake to move. It’s also a warehouse with office space above it, which I can share with my husband’s business – it offered the perfect design atelier space. It feels like a nice little community now, with both our businesses in the same building, which seems to happen every couple of years. (Johnson’s husband is Patrick Johnson, the founder of P Johnson Tailors.)

BS: Tell us about the kinds of antiques and objects people will find at the showroom.

TJ: They will find a densely packed cache of beautiful furniture, artworks and objets d’art. It changes with some regularity too, so there is always something new to look at. I hand-select all the inventory, so it is very much in keeping with my interior design vision.

BS: What are your favourite items in the showroom right now?

TJ: Probably the glass radiator by Rene-Andre Coulon for Saint-Gobain, since it is such a bizarrely futurist conception but also a uniquely functional object. Then, perhaps a pair of 1940s art deco bedside tables in the style of Gaetano Borsani. They are just so brilliantly kooky and imaginative. And finally, an incoming piece I bought in Marseille earlier this year, which is a console table by the artist Marco de Gueltzl in superimposed and glued glass tiles. It’s one of the most extraordinary pieces I’ve ever seen.

BS: Can people come and just have a browse, or is it appointment only?

TJ: People can always pop in and have a peruse without an appointment. We wanted this space to be more welcoming, rather than [like] walking into a design office.

BS: What is the most treasured antique or vintage piece in your own home?

TJ: Maybe a Wasilly spaghetti chair made by Marcel Breuer from the 1980s, which is a new addition to our landing. But it’s also hard to go past an art deco French baker stand in wrought iron that was in my childhood home growing up – it’s always been part of my life. It now lives in our dining room and houses our collection of vases and Murano glass.

BS: What’s your advice for those who are keen to begin collecting antiques or want to start adding older pieces to their home?

TJ: Take your time. Don’t rush it. Build spaces organically as you live with them. Don’t get attached, sell something on if it isn’t working. It will always change – that is a good thing.

Tamsin Johnson Showroom
1 Victoria Street, Paddington

Hours
Mon to Sat 10am–5pm, or by appointment

tamsinjohnson.com