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Sourcing different pieces from all over the world is an important part of interior designer Suzie McAdam’s design practice, and buying at auction has become a part of this process in recent years. The harmonious marrying of the old and new in Suzie’s work is something we at Adam’s are very interested in. We sat down with Suzie to discuss this theme in her work and how this cohesion can be best achieved.
What draws you to design that reaches across different periods, and what role do you think antiques can play in a modern home?
I love to explore different eras. One design project might lean more toward the Regency period, another might centre more around the Mid-Century period, which is often client led. For me, the most interesting interior designs always have contrast and tension. When working in a contemporary architectural setting or modern home, of course you can go for the formative approach and keep everything modern, but I think including older pieces, whether it is an 18th century side table or an antique rug, can bring a lovely richness and texture to a space.
Growing up, my mom was really interested in antiques and we would spend our weekends going to antique auctions or country house sales in Limerick and Tipperary. My great grandmother lived in a really lovely old Georgian house in County Louth, it was very run down, but I absolutely loved that smell of old furniture, so I think there has always been a love there. I studied architecture in college, so my taste moved in a more modern direction for a few years. Now, what I think has made my practice quite unique is the marrying of those two knowledges.
Do you find people are hesitant to buy antiques when decorating their homes for fear of it looking ‘outdated’ or ‘old fashioned’? How do you advise them?
I think people are sometimes afraid of “brown furniture”. Perhaps their granny or someone they knew had a lot of old historical pieces and it felt too heavy to them or just not to their taste, but antiques don’t have to dominate an entire room. You can choose one or two select pieces - it could be a compact chest of drawers in a corner or a side table. For me, the colouration in antique wood is so appealing and can add such elegance to a room. Colour is so important, it is what really makes a room sing. So many spaces are white and bright, which is great, but in my view the best design spaces always have balance, so if they are very bright and open, you need richer warmer elements to create that kind of synergy within the room - antiques bring that warmth.
How have you incorporated antiques into your own home?
Actually, one of the first pieces I bought for a home that I acquired about 10 years ago was a bowfront chest from Adam’s. I think it was about €200 at the time, and I was so thrilled. That really started my love and excitement for auctions.
I go to auctions with clients a lot, but I always have an eye out for pieces for my own home as well. The set of Regency chairs around my kitchen table were purchased at Adam’s Country House Collections auction last year. I really love the reeded detail on the frames, and they don’t feel too formal because you know, it’s a kitchen space for a family. I wanted it to feel inviting.
We were going for a pastel palette in the kitchen and the original upholstery wasn’t suitable, so we found a chinoiserie fabric and reupholstered the chairs which really elevated them. Upholstery is a great way to rejuvenate antique furniture. I think some people can be a little put off by deep velvet or sateen fabrics that can sometimes make furniture feel a little heavier than you might like, so looking at bright and fresh fabrics and textiles can really help freshen up a piece.
What has been interesting in going through the process of moving house and designing my own new home, has been how I have been able to reuse the pieces I absolutely adore and was really drawn to years ago when I purchased them. I have found that most of these pieces can work in most spaces, so a lot of the pieces in my new house were actually in my old house.
What do recommend for those interested in buying antiques or buying at auction in general?
If you are starting to consider finding pieces, definitely look online first and familiarize yourself with different styles. Finding an interior design project that you love can be a great place to start, as you can draw inspiration from it and it can help you identify pieces you like in certain spaces. Once you’ve found those hero pieces to start with, they can act as stepping stones to building a collection.
I would also really recommend going to view pieces in person. There are so many incredible online tools now and I do use some of them, but often a photo can’t really do apiece justice. I have found that when I actually go to an auction viewing in a beautiful setting like Townley Hall, there will inevitably be a piece that didn’t really come to life in the catalogue or I didn’t notice that jumps out at me. I think seeing pieces in reality is so helpful, particularly if you have issues with visualizing and understanding how it could work in a space.
Adam’s have lots of different auctions and they create that kind of edit within them which is really interesting. Often, I find myself going back through historical catalogues, even just to remind myself of different pieces and to inform my choices when I’m hunting.
It’s all about understanding what you like, viewing pieces, and then going for it once you’ve found something you love. I think if you can find something that is special and more unique than what you would typically find in a shop, that can be a great motivator to jump into the world of collecting and to start discovering.
Please see our 'Upcoming Auctions' page for further information, including viewing times and location, and how to register.
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Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Yvonne Aupicq had met Orpen, we understand, while working as a nurse during the war. He had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of scabies which ended up being a far more serious case of blood poisoning as he recounts in his wartime memoir ‘An Onlooker in France’. Their relationship continued after 1918 when Orpen was appointed as the official artist to The Paris Peace Conference. They relocated to capital and over the following decade he painted her numerous times, often nude as in Amiens 1914, or The Rape and Nude Girl Reading (1921). Working with her as his model during these early years after the war allowed Orpen an opportunity to re-fuel his creativity.
Editor-in-Chief of IMAGE Publications, Lizzie Gore-Grimes, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on September 13th features a prime example of Van Cleef & Arpel's renowned 'Mystery Setting'
Our June auction offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the great masterpieces of Irish art and icons of Dublin’s history.
Georgia Chiesa selects some of her favourite lots in the upcoming Vintage Wine & Spirits Auction
"Beating the bounds is a tradition that can be traced back to the medieval period. At this time, land was divided into parishes and the clergy and church wardens held the responsibility for its upkeep and management. It was up to the Church to ensure that its parishioners knew the local boundary lines and, before maps became commonplace, this had to be kept as a mental record."
Adam’s in conjunction with Suzanne MacDougald are proud to host an online timed auction of artworks to aid the Irish Red Cross’s humanitarian work in delivering vital services to millions of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. With no buyers premium 100% of the hammer price will go directly to the Irish Red Cross.
Ros Drinkwater writes of Jack B Yeats' 'The Boat' in the Business Post:
With a consolidated result of €320,000,the At Home sale in Stephan’s Green, was a great success.
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
