A WARMINSTER family-run furniture business was in the spotlight yesterday (Thursday, June 21) at an antiques fair in Birmingham.

Vintage Tabacoff chairs, taken to the fair at the NEC by Scandinavian By Design, were among five key items picked out by the fair’s organisers.

The Sphere chairs, which were made in 1971, were designed by Bulgarian interior architect Boris Tabacoff, who was renowned for his modern and futuristic style.

Dan Charman, a buyer for the business, said: “It was a great honour to be featured on the list, which includes items picked by industry experts.

“We carefully select all of our items from across Europe so it was a great accolade.

“I bought the chairs at a European auction in December last year. They’re incredibly rare so it was quite a hotly contested auction but they fell just within my maximum price.

“All of the items we buy are things that we really enjoy ourselves as it makes them easier to sell.

“Because we operate from our own home, our living room is effectively an ever-evolving showroom with items coming in and out all the time.

“In fact, pretty much every piece of furniture we sell has been sat on by me – but not for too long, of course. That way, I can say to the customer that it’s a high quality piece of furniture and mean it.”

Scandinavian By Design was started by Roger Burgett 25 years ago and now employs his daughter Claire and her partner Mr Charman.

The chairs were one of many items at the Antiques for Everyone Summer Fair, which attracts dealers from all over the UK to display their art, antiques and collectables.

Other items on the shortlist included Matisse prints, a rare Pixerama Foldbook of the Beatles signed by John Lennon and George Harrison and a £17,500 first edition of The Colossus and Other Poems by American poet and novelist Sylvia Plath.

To find out more about Scandinavian By Design and its rare collection of furniture, visit: https://sbydonline.com.