Store de force: Authentiques
Owner Kate Davies talks to Candace Campos about how she turned her love for antiques into a business
"I've been in Hong Kong for 16 years and grew up in Melbourne. I started my career as a TV news journalist in Australia, moved into public relations in Hong Kong, then marketing and events within banking. My late husband, Steve, was a homeware designer. Together we mixed old and new furniture in our home. He gave me the confidence to turn it into a business."
"I realised during a buying trip why I was drawn to antique furniture. Everywhere we went I heard myself saying, 'My parents have one of those' or 'My mum has something similar.' In addition to my natural inclination, I just couldn't find authentic European antique furniture in Hong Kong."
"The gallery is dedicated to 18th- and 19th-century European and British antique furniture and decorative arts. We have the 'upstairs downstairs', like in , which means we have rustic pieces like kitchen copper, Windsor chairs and farming equipment but also ornate walnut display cases and chaise longues."
"I've created settings in the space so people can see antiques in a practical environment. I host discussions about antique appreciation and conversations with well-known collectors and experts. Our 'antique studio' is available for private tea parties, fashion styling, product launches and photo shoots."